QUICK & EASY CHOCOLATE

                                    TRUFFLES

                      The most difficult part of this recipe is not eating

                         them all before they're ready to be served.

                 Ingredients:

                    8 ounces good-quality semi- or bittersweet chocolate, coarsely

                    chopped

                    4 ounces unsweetened chocolate

                    8 tablespoons unsalted butter

                    1 (14 ounce) can sweetened condensed milk

                    Your choice of flavoring (see below)

                    Your choice of coating (see below)

   Method:

    1.  Heat chocolates, butter and milk in a pan until chocolates and butter are

    partially melted. Remove from heat and stir until completely melted. Whisk in

    desired flavoring until creamy-smooth.

    2.  Transfer to a bowl and let stand until firm enough to hold its shape, about 2

    hours.

    3.  Using a tablespoon (a spring-action 1 Tb. scoop is ideal), mold chocolate into

     balls, 1 level Tb. at a time, and place on a cookie sheet lined with greased

    parchment paper.

    4.  Place desired coating in a small bowl. Working one at a time, drop truffles

    into the bowl with greased fingertips. Shake bowl back and forth so truffles are

    completely coated. If necessary, roll truffles by hand to make round.

    5.  Return to parchment. (Can be refrigerated in an airtight container up to 5

    days or frozen up to 1 month.) Before serving, let stand at room temperature to

    soften slightly.

    .Flavors:

    1.  Orange: 6 Tbs. orange-flavored liqueur, such as Grand Marnier, and 1/2 tsp.

    finely grated orange zest

    2.  Coffee: 6 Tbs. coffee-flavored liqueur, such as Kahlua and 1 tsp. instant

    3.  Raspberry: 6 Tbs. raspberry liqueur, such as Chambord

    .Coatings:

    1 cup of either:

    flaked coconut, roasted pistachios, minced toasted walnuts, sifted unsweetened

     cocoa, sprinkles

    Coatings can be used separately or mixed according to preference.

       Servings Per Recipe: 48

                                                        NUTRITION

                                                        Amount per serving:

                                                        Calories: 79

                                                        Total fat: 5.4g

                                                        Cholesterol: 8mg

                                                        Sodium: 11mg

                                                        Total Carbs: 7.8g

                                                        Dietary fiber: 0.7g

                                                        Protein: 1.2g

                                                       

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