I have been thinking and thinking about what I want to give as appreciation gifts this year. My budget is super tight. I usually make cookies, breads or quick breads, but this year, due to my stupid foot injury, I can only stand for a few minutes at a time before I'm in major pain.

I know that the folks I want to give a little gift to are going to be hit with breads, cookies, and baked goods that will go bad within a week of receiving them, so I wanted to give something with a little bit of a longer shelf life, that I could make in big batches, and would be quick and inexpensive to make.

I don't know many people who don't like chocolate, and to me, the ultimate decadent gift is a box of chocolate truffles. I am used to paying anywhere between $2.00 - $4.00 for one truffle from some of my favorite chocolate shops. Seems kind of outrageous, right? Well, guess what? You can make two dozen truffles for about $4.00.

Quick Chocolate Truffles Recipe

What you'll need:

1 pkg. softened cream cheese

1/2 bag of semi-sweet chocolate chips

1 Tbsp of Vanilla extract or your choice of liquor

Cocoa Powder for dusting

Directions:

Melt the chocolate chips in a microwave safe bowl. Microwave in 30 second increments, stirring until it is all melted and smooth.

Stir the chocolate until smooth...

Add 1 block of softened cream cheese to the melted chocolate, and mix until white streaks are gone. Add 1 Tbsp for vanilla or your choice of liquor (like rum, amaretto, etc.) 

Refrigerate the mixture for at least 1 hour, or until firm.

Scoop out and roll the mixture into 1 inch balls. 

Warning- this is a messy process! Wear an apron, or old clothes!

Roll the truffle balls in cocoa powder, powdered sugar, or crushed Oreo cookie crumbs.

*Alernatively, you may allow the truffles to harden in the fridge for 1 hour, and then dip to coat in melted chocolate.

Allow the truffles to firm up for 1 hour. Refrigerate for up to 2 weeks.

To gift...

Place 6 truffles in a small box or tin, lined with parchment paper. Tie a ribbon around the box, add a gift tag, and voila- a super simple, but absolutely delicious gif!


Yum!!

These truffles melt in your mouth, and will be dangerous for you to keep in the house- trust me, you'll want to eat them all! Take them to a holiday gathering, or give them away! Well, maybe keep just a few for yourself!

Enjoy!