Saturday, December 11, 2010

Giveaway Winner...and Peppermint Surprise Truffles!!

Happy weekend...so hard to believe that Christmas is only TWO WEEKS away! December is flying by very quickly!! Lots of fun stuff to share today, so let's get started. First off, I want to announce the winner of the Round Pond Blood Orange Citrus Syrup + Cab Merlot Red Wine Vinegar giveaway. Congrats to...Claire! I'll be in touch to get your mailing info so I can get your goodies to you in time for Christmas!!  If you didn't win this time, don't fret...Elf Wendy's got another fun giveaway coming up in a few days. More info to come, but think: COOKIES!!

Speaking of...one of the goodies that I make every Christmas season are luscious peppermint-infused truffles. When people taste them for the first time, they literally go nuts for them. Every single time. I call them Peppermint Surprise Truffles because people are always surprised to hear that they're made with Oreo cookies! I'm not sure where the recipe originated...I have tons of friends who also make these truffles. However, I have a few twists that I've added as I've tinkered with the recipe the past few holiday seasons.

These truffles are rich, with a very pronounced peppermint flavor. If you're not a peppermint fiend like me, you can substitute any extract of your choice to the base recipe. The next variation I want to try is Grand Marnier and grated orange peel. If you make a batch of these truffles, I promise your friends and family will beg you to make them again and again! Luckily, they're as simple to make as they are to eat...

Peppermint Surprise Truffles

Step 1:  Add a 16-ounce package of plain Oreos and 1/3 cup crushed candy canes to a food processor. Process until the cookies are fine crumbs.


Step 2:  Add the crumbs, an 8-ounce package softened cream cheese, and 1 tsp. peppermint extract to a mixing bowl.


Step 3:  Mix on low speed for 2-3 minutes, stopping to scrape the mixture down as necessary to evenly combine. You'll know it's ready when it looks a bit like mud:


Step 4:  Roll the mixture into balls and place on a cookie sheet. I usually get between 32 and 36 truffles per batch. Place the cookie sheet in the freezer for about 30 minutes. I find the truffles MUCH easier to coat and set up if I do this!

Step 5:  Melt a 16-ounce package of chocolate chips in the microwave...in 30-second increments. Stir until melted. This time, I used Hershey's Special Dark chips since I'm making these for a friend who loves dark chocolate. White chocolate is really festive for Christmas too!

Step 6:  Stick a toothpick into a chilled truffle and dip in the melted chocolate to coat. Place truffles on a cutting board covered with foil. Remove the truffle from the toothpick with a second toothpick...cover the hole with a bit more melted chocolate.


Sprinkle more chopped peppermint on top of each truffle and put the pan in the fridge to set.


These truffles are fudgy and full of peppermint flavor thanks to the peppermint sprinkles, peppermint extract, and bits of peppermint in the filling. I couldn't resist taking a bite...


No one EVER guesses that the filling is made from cookies...but they ALWAYS ask for seconds (and thirds) of these fantastic truffles. I hope you'll whip up a batch before the holidays are over! 

I'll be back on Tuesday with another peppermint recipe...details about an amazing cookie giveaway...and answers to some questions that my friend Elisabeth at Food and Thrift Finds tagged me about in her blog this week. Until then...be good! Remember that Santa's got his eyes on you trying to decide if you're being naughty or nice...















27 comments:

  1. I'm making these for the first time since you mentioned them a few years ago. Using the mint oreos, so will let you know how those come out

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  2. They are delsih....think I will make them this year! Your photo is a nice presentation. Love you. It was great visiting this afternoon!:)

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  3. wohoo! I am so excited that i won!! these look amazing! i dont think I could ever be that ambitious.. truffles make me nervous!

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  4. I love these little candy truffles this time of year. I made a super easy one last year and everyone raved about it. Yeah, Im pulling that bunny out of my hat again this year.

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  5. My roommate used to make something similar to these in grad school. I couldn't help myself from stealing a few while she wasn't looking :)

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  6. @Claire - Congrats..e-mail your mailing address to wendyweekendgourmet@gmail.com. And don't be intimidated by these truffles...they're SO easy to whip up!!

    @Kita - Easy is so important during the hectic holidays!!

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  7. Oh my..those look fantastic! Yum!

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  8. OOOhhh!!! Wendy!!!! I am at a loss for words at the "wonderfulness" of these little treats. These are a must have on our holiday plate. I just purchased a package of Peppermint Joe Joe's from Trader Joe's and think I might give them a try with those. MMMM!!! Ok... I'm done gushing! =)

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  9. I'm going to Trader Joe's soon, so I'm going to buy the Peppermint Joe's, too, and make these truffles. I'll leave some for Santa:)

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  10. Oh my word! These look absolutely divine! I am definitely going to give them a try!

    xo

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  11. Such good looking truffles. That look sinfully rich!! Oh and congrats to Claire.

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  12. Oooh these look fab - 2 of my favorite sweet treats put together! Love how easy they are too :)

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  13. Ohhhh Elf Wendy these look amazing!! Absolutely breathtaking!! I will definitely have to make these and take a batch to the office! (I'll probably even get a raise if I do - lol!)

    Happy Merry (and minty) Mondays to you my friend!
    -V

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  14. Delicious truffles! amazing that they are made with oreos!!!
    I made mint truffles for Merry Mondays either!

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  15. What a beautiful recipes... perfect for giving to neighbors, teachers, etc. I'm bookmarking this to make on my baking day! Thanks for sharing...

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  16. Truffles with oreos in them? You have me sold! I can see why these are so popular. I would have a hard time not eating the whole batch. Thank you so much for sharing this with me! I hope you have a lovely week!

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  17. Oh I LOVE making oreo truffles but I have yet to make peppermint ones. They are so addicting and delicious. Yours look amazing, I love the chopped peppermint on top! :)

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  18. These truffles look so yummy and festive! I can wait until you make the ones with Grand Marnier! Yum!

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  19. Wendy, these have all kinds of yummy things inside! Love using the oreos, I might not be able to stop myself with these though! Can't wait to see what elf Wendy has in store!
    -Gina-

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  20. Wendy-These truffles are way over the top beautiful, and yummy. Loaded with peppermint flavor, and the crunchy pepperming topping.
    Love the step-by-step directions with the great photos, as well. For sure this is on my list to make!

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  21. Mmm! I love the addition of the peppermint candies to the truffles...great idea!

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  22. Wendy - I made these tonight and they are fabulous!! Instead of peppermint I put Reese's peanut butter chips and Heath bar crunch! O. M. G. I love these!! So beautiful, too! Will be writing a post and linking back to you for the recipe!

    Thanks!
    Veronica

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  23. I'm glad you liked them, Veronica! They are so simple to whip up, and they are so versatile. I have a friend who makes PB truffles using Nutter Butter instead of Oreos. They're fun to play around with, so have fun!!

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  24. We've got all the ingredients...Now to surprise Santa tomorrow night!:)

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  25. Wendy, Wendy, Wendy....Is it the Manvel Girl in you that makes you such a Maverick in the GREAT Cooking and Scrumshy Chocolate things??? LOL This sounds wonderful....now, where ARE those cookies? Hmmmmm... :) Kay Massey

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  26. OMG!! Made these tonight and they were beyond wonderful! Decadent... hedonistic.... perfect!
    Dipped some in white chocolate and some in dark. Loved them both. My mom is diabetic and said these are worth having high numbers! Excellent, Wendy!

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