Toasted Coconut And Caramel Truffles Food

TOASTED COCONUT TRUFFLES

Steps:

• In a microwave-safe bowl, melt chocolate chips; stir until smooth. Add the cream cheese, milk, vanilla and water; beat with a hand mixer until blended. Cover and refrigerate until easy to handle, about 1-1/2 hours. , Shape into 1-in. balls and place on waxed paper-lined baking sheets. Loosely cover and refrigerate for 1-2 hours or until firm., In a microwave, melt candy coating, stir until smooth. Dip balls in coating; allow excess to drip off. Place on waxed paper-lined baking sheets. Sprinkle with coconut. Refrigerate until firm, about 15 minutes. Store in the refrigerator in an airtight container.

CARAMEL TRUFFLES

Steps:

• Line an 8-in. square dish with plastic wrap; set aside. In a microwave-safe bowl, combine the caramels, milk chocolate chips and cream. Microwave, uncovered, on high for 1 minute; stir. Microwave 1 minute longer, stirring every 15 seconds or until caramels are melted and mixture is smooth. Spread into prepared dish; refrigerate for 1 hour or until firm., Using plastic wrap, lift candy out of pan. Cut into 30 pieces; roll each piece into a 1-in. ball. Cover and refrigerate for 1 hour or until firm., In a microwave-safe bowl, melt semi-sweet chips and shortening; stir until smooth. Dip caramels in chocolate; allow excess to drip off. Place on waxed paper; let stand until set. If desired, use additional melted chocolate to drizzle over truffles. Refrigerate until firm.

COCONUT CARAMELS

Steps:

• Heat oven to 350 degrees. Spread the coconut flakes in an even layer on a rimmed baking sheet, and toast until light golden brown, 5 to 8 minutes.
• Brush an 8-inch baking dish generously with coconut oil or coat with cooking spray. Sprinkle about 3 to 4 tablespoons of toasted coconut in an even layer on the bottom of the pan, and set aside.
• In a medium heavy saucepan, combine the coconut cream, sugar, corn syrup and sea salt. Bring to a boil over medium heat, stirring to dissolve the sugar. Boil, stirring frequently especially toward the end, until a candy thermometer reaches 250 degrees and caramel is a light golden brown and thickened, about 20 to 30 minutes. Remove from heat and stir in the ginger and cardamom.
• Pour the caramel into the prepared pan. Once the caramel stops bubbling and the surface forms a thin skin, about 3 minutes, sprinkle another 4 tablespoons toasted coconut across the surface. Allow to cool at room temperature and set completely, about 2 hours.
• Run a spatula around the sides of the baking dish, loosen and lift the caramel, and move onto a board or clean surface.
• Slice the caramel into 8 (1-inch-wide) strips, then across into 1/2-inch pieces, so you have about 72 caramels. Roll the sides of each piece in more toasted coconut. Wrap as individual sweets using 4- to 5-inch squares of parchment, wax paper, or cellophane, or use store-bought candy wrappers, twisting the ends to seal. Store at room temperature in a cool dry place. Caramels will keep stored at room temp for up to 7 days or frozen after wrapping for up to 1 month.

COCONUT TRUFFLES

Steps:

• Line a baking sheet with wax paper or parchment.
• Sift the confectioners' sugar into a large bowl. Add the sweetened coconut, almonds and condensed milk. Stir to combine.
• Remove a heaping tablespoon of the coconut mixture and use the palms of your hands to roll it into a ball about 1 1/4 inches in diameter and place on the prepared baking sheet. Repeat with remaining coconut mixture. Refrigerate the truffles until firm, about 15 minutes.
• Meanwhile, add the white chocolate chips to a microwave-safe bowl and heat in the microwave on 50 percent power in 30-second intervals, stirring in between each, until the chocolate is melted and smooth. Stir in the shortening to combine.
• Add the unsweetened coconut to a small bowl. Dip a truffle into the melted chocolate to coat completely, then use 2 forks to lift it out, allowing the excess chocolate to drip off. Place the truffle in the unsweetened coconut and roll to coat, then return to the baking sheet and allow the chocolate to set, about 20 minutes. Repeat to coat the remaining truffles.
• Enjoy immediately or store the truffles in an airtight container at room temperature for up to 4 days.

CHOCOLATE CARAMEL TRUFFLES

Steps:

• In a dry heavy saucepan (about 3 1/2 quarts) cook sugar over moderate heat, stirring with a fork until melted, and swirl pan until sugar is a golden caramel. Remove pan from heat and add cream carefully (mixture will bubble up). Return pan to heat and simmer, stirring, until caramel is dissolved.
• Remove pan from heat and add chocolate, salt, and vanilla. Let mixture stand 5 minutes and stir until chocolate is melted. Transfer mixture to a bowl and cool, uncovered. Chill mixture, covered, 2 hours, or until firm.
• Coat truffles:
• Scoop out truffle mixture with a spoon and form into 1-inch balls. Roll truffles in 1/2 cup cocoa powder or coat with 1 cup pecans, pressing nuts slightly to adhere. (Alternatively, roll half of truffles in 1/4 cup cocoa powder and coat remaining truffles with 1/2 cup pecans.) Chill truffles on a tray lined with wax paper until firm, about 1 hour. Truffles keep in an airtight container, chilled, 2 weeks.

TOASTED COCONUT AND CARAMEL TRUFFLES

Steps:

• Microwave caramels and milk in microwaveable bowl on HIGH 2 min. or until caramels are completely melted, stirring after 1 min. Pour over coconut in separate bowl; mix lightly. Cool 5 min.
• Cover baking sheet with parchment. Roll coconut mixture into 44 balls, using about 1 tsp. coconut mixture for each ball. Place in single layer on prepared baking sheet.
• Dip bottom half of each ball into melted chocolate; return, dipped side down, to baking sheet. Drizzle with remaining melted chocolate. Refrigerate 10 min. or until chocolate is firm.