Oreo Truffles Aka Dirt Balls Recipe 55 Food

OREO TRUFFLES

Steps:

• Using a food processor, grind cookies to a fine powder. With a mixer, blend cookie powder, cream cheese and vanilla extract until thoroughly mixed (there should be no white traces of cream cheese).
• Roll into small balls and place on wax-lined cookie sheet. Refrigerate for 45 minutes.
• Line two cookie sheets with wax paper. In double-boiler, melt milk chocolate. Dip balls and coat thoroughly. With slotted spoon, lift balls out of chocolate and let excess chocolate drip off. Place on wax-paper-lined cookie sheet.
• In separate double boiler, melt white chocolate. Using a fork, drizzle white chocolate over balls. Let cool.
• Store in airtight container, in refrigerator.
• Note: When I am exceedingly lazy (most often the case these days), I forego the chocolate 'dip' and merely roll my truffles into various mixtures - chopped nuts, chocolate sprinkles, vari-coloured candy sprinkles, cocoa powder, chocolate shavings, coloured sugars -- still pretty -- less work.

EASY OREO TRUFFLES

Steps:

• Completely grind entire package of Oreo cookies. I find that the easiest and fastest way to do this is with a large capacity food processor, but a blender or a plastic bag and mallet will work fine. Set aside a small amount for dusting later.
• Combine Oreo cookie grounds and softened cream cheese into a mixer bowl, and blend on low until integrated and then increase speed to medium until mixture is well combined. It should look like dark mud. Set aside.
• Make some temporary space in your freezer; you will need some room to chill your truffle ball mixture. Spread a sheet of wax paper onto a large cookie sheet.
• With clean dry hands, begin rolling Oreo/Cream cheese mixture into 1 in round balls. Set formed balls in rows on the cookie sheet. You can wear gloves for this step, but it really isn't necessary, it isn't a very messy process. Place cookie sheet in freezer for about 20 minutes. I always use this time to clean up and prepare for the next step in the recipe.
• Take one tray from the Log House CandiQuik® melting chocolate and melt in the microwave. I have used chocolate bars and chocolate chips, and the Log House stuff is MUCH easier to use. However, IT IS VERY IMPORTANT THAT YOU FOLLOW THE HEATING INSTRUCTIONS TO A 'T'. Heat it for 1 minute, and only in 15 second increments after that, and that is only if there are still solid chunks of chocolate after you have stirred. Believe me, the chocolate will look like it is not melting, but it is! Just stir it a little and it will become more liquid. I made the mistake of overcooking the chocolate, which makes it hard and powdery and unusable. The good thing is that the Log House package comes with two trays, so if you mess up, you have a backup! The Log House chocolate is available online and at SAM'S Club, where I bought mine. http://loghousefoods.elsstore.com/view/product/?id=18562&cid=2549
• Remove the chilled balls from the freezer. Notice that each ball has hardened nicely, and that the bottom is now flat. One ball at a time, insert the pointed end of the toothpick/turkey lacer pin into the flattened bottom of the ball (I have found that the turkey lacer pin makes it easier because of the length. http://www.dollarnights.com/images/K03/Image2/KB-966.jpg). Do not pierce all the way through. Dip the ball into the melted chocolate and swirl it around. You don't need to coat the bottom. Once the ball is evenly covered, hold it upside down until most of the excess has dribbled off. Now, hold the ball upright and using a fork underneath, slowly lift the ball off of the pin and place on the cookie sheet. Dust a pinch of the leftover cookie grounds over the truffle ball before the chocolate dries. Do this for each ball.
• STORAGE: Truffles can be left at room temperature for a time while being served, but because of the perishable nature of the cream cheese, long term storage should happen in a refrigerator or freezer.
• ***Tips for decorating: Use the vanilla version of the Log House chocolate to drizzle lines of white over the dark chocolate coating. You can even reverse the order by rolling the balls in vanilla and drizzling with chocolate! You can even do half and half!
• ***Tips for Flavor: You can buy different types of Oreos for different flavors. Try Mint Oreos for a minty taste, or chocolate Oreos for a richer chocolate flavor. I have even seen Red Crème Oreos! I'm sure you could even mix up the flavor of cream cheese or use Golden Oreos, but I haven't ventured into that yet ;) The possibilities are endless with this recipe. Have fun with it!

OREO BALLS

Steps:

• Line a baking sheet with parchment paper. Pulse the cookies in a food processor to fine crumbs. Remove 2 tablespoons crumbs to a small bowl and reserve. Add the cream cheese and pulse until it just comes together. Transfer to a large bowl and knead a few times until completely combined.
• Roll into 24 balls, each about 2 heaping tablespoons. Transfer to the prepared baking sheet and refrigerate until chilled through, about 45 minutes.
• Put the semisweet chocolate in a medium heatproof bowl with 1 tablespoon oil. Put the white chocolate chips in another medium heatproof bowl with the remaining tablespoon oil. Melt the chocolate mixtures one at a time, stirring occasionally, over a double boiler until smooth.
• Drop one truffle at a time into the semisweet chocolate mixture, using two forks to evenly coat. Tap any excess chocolate off, then return to the baking sheet. Drizzle with the white chocolate mixture, then quickly sprinkle with the reserved cookie crumbs. Continue until all the truffles are coated and decorated. Return to the refrigerator to set, about 5 minutes. Serve chilled.

HOLIDAY OREO TRUFFLES

Steps:

• Crush 9 of the cookies to fine crumbs in a food processor; reserve for later use. (This can also be done in a resealable bag with a rolling pin.).
• Crush the remaining 36 cookies to fine crumbs and place in a medium bowl.
• Add the cream cheese and mix until well blended.
• Roll cookie mixture into 42 balls, about 1" in diameter.
• Dip the balls in the melted chocolate and place them on a wax paper covered baking sheet. (Any left over chocolate can be stored at room temperature for another use.).
• Sprinkle the tops of the truffles with the reserved cookie crumbs.
• Refrigerate until firm, about 1 hour.
• Store leftover truffles, covered, in the refrigerator.

OREO™ TRUFFLES

Steps:

• Line 2 cookie sheets with waxed paper. Place cookies in large food processor. Cover; process with on-and-off pulses until consistency of fine crumbs. In large bowl, stir cookie crumbs and cream cheese until well blended and mixture forms a doughlike consistency.
• Chop 8 oz of the candy coating; stir into dough mixture. Roll dough into 1-inch balls; place half on each cookie sheet. Freeze about 1 hour or until very firm.
• In small microwavable bowl, microwave half of remaining 26 oz candy coating on High 1 minute 30 seconds; stir. If necessary, continue microwaving and stirring in 15-second intervals until melted and smooth.
• Remove half of the balls from freezer. Using 2 forks, dip and roll each ball in coating; return to cookie sheet. Melt remaining candy coating; dip remaining balls.
• In 1-quart resealable freezer plastic bag, place chocolate chips and oil; seal bag. Microwave on High 35 to 60 seconds, squeezing chips in bag every 15 seconds, until chips are melted and mixture is smooth. Cut small tip from bottom corner of bag. Drizzle chocolate over truffles. Refrigerate about 15 minutes or until chocolate is set. Store covered in refrigerator.

EASY OREO TRUFFLES

Steps:

• Crush 9 of the cookies to fine crumbs in food processor; reserve for later use. (Cookies can also be finely crushed in a resealable plastic bag using a rolling pin.) Crush remaining 36 cookies to fine crumbs; place in medium bowl. Add cream cheese; mix until well blended. Roll cookie mixture into 42 balls, about 1-inch in diameter.
• Dip balls in chocolate; place on wax paper-covered baking sheet. (Any leftover chocolate can be stored at room temperature for another use.) Sprinkle with reserved cookie crumbs.
• Refrigerate until firm, about 1 hour. Store leftover truffles, covered, in refrigerator.

SNOW BALLS (OREO BALLS OR OREO TRUFFLES)

Steps:

• Crush the oreos really well and mix with cream cheese (can use blender or mixer.).
• Roll into walnut size balls.
• Chill for at least 1 hour.
• Melt the almond bark in microwave.
• Dip chilled balls into melted almond bark and set up on wax paper.
• You can decorate with drizzles of opposite color almond bark or sprinkles, if desired.
• Keep them refrigerated. Try to share!

ALMOND OREO TRUFFLES BALLS (AND OTHER FLAVORS)

Steps:

• Using a food processor, grind cookies to a fine powder.
• With a mixer, blend cookie powder, cream cheese and almond extract until thoroughly mixed (there should be no white traces of cream cheese).
• Use the large side of a melon baller to create ¾ inch balls and place on wax-lined cookie sheet.
• Refrigerate for 45 minutes.
• Follow directions on the Baker's Dipping Chocolate to melt the milk chocolate.
• Dip balls and coat thoroughly.
• Gently place a fork underneath the coated ball to lift it out of chocolate; letting the excess chocolate drip off.
• Place on wax-paper-lined cookie sheet.
• Follow the directions on the Baker's White chocolate box to melt it.
• Place melted white chocolate in a small plastic baggy and cut a tiny hole in a corner. Use as a pastry bag. (Or you can purchase plastic bottles with small tips designed for creating candies).
• Using the bag or bottle, drizzle the white chocolate over each truffle.
• Place in the refrigerator for 15 minutes to let the chocolate set.
• *Instead of the white chocolate embellishment, you can top with ground toasted almonds.
• **Do not substitute chips for either the milk or white chocolate. They will not create a smooth exterior on your truffle! You can substitute premium baking chocolate for the dipping chocolate if you prefer.
• ***You can change these up by substituting different flavors of extract: use peppermint and top with crushed peppermint candies, use cherry and top with pink tinted white chocolate, substitute ½ t. strong coffee and top with crushed hazelnut, or substitute vanilla. Your options are endless!