Saturday, December 8, 2007

Reindeer Balls

Well this sweet morsel goes by a variety of names. The official name is Oreo Truffles. I have also see Oreo Balls, Balls of Goodness, Rudolph Noses, Reindeer Poop, Rocky Mountain Truffles as well as some that aren't fit to print. Either way, this recipe is sooooo easy and even if you aren't handy in the kitchen, you will amaze the unsuspecting and stupify the jaded with these.

Ingredients:

16 ounces of Oreo® cookies

8 ounces of cream cheese

16 ounces of good semi-sweet, white or dark chocolate

Instructions:

1. In a food processor, crush the Oreo® cookies until they are broken down into a coarse meal. If you don't have a food processor, try to use a large mixer - but be warned the filling will not be as smooth.

2. Add the cream cheese and make sure it is combined with no white spots.

3. Form mixture into 1 inch balls.

4. Refrigerate for 1 hour on a cookie sheet lined with plastic or wax paper.

5. Melt chocolate in a double boiler.

6. Using a fork or a bamboo skewer, dip entire ball into chocolate. Place on the cookie sheet with plastic wrap or wax paper underneath.

7. Refrigerate until chocolate is set.

Note: These must be stored in the refrigerator due to the cream cheese. Also, don't use the Double Stuff Oreo® cookies. And don't skimp and use cheap dipping chocolate with additives - it really affects the taste and texture.

Here are other variations and ideas:

- Drizzle additional white chocolate or some other contrasting chocolate or the balls once the chocolate shell is set.

- Add red paste food color (not liquid food color - the mixture will "seize up") to white chocolate. These are called Rudolph Noses.

- Don't dip the balls in chocolate at all. These are called Reindeer Poop, among other things.

- Make sure the balls are chunky and rough. Dust the balls with powdered sugar. These are called Rocky Mountain Truffles.

- Add a few more Oreo® cookies and a little rum, Kaluha® or brandy. Serve them to the kids. These are called Mother's Little Helpers.

- Try the various flavored Oreo® cookies such as mint, orange (sold around Halloween) etc.