Mocha Truffles: A New Christmas Tradition
Most of the Christmas Traditions my children enjoyed growing up were a combination of those things their father and I held most dear from our childhoods. My sons, Tom and Bill love the holidays as much as I do. Our family is flexible, so adding a new tradition of Mocha Truffles a decade ago was cheered by all.
We always attended the Candle Light Service on Christmas Eve at Church. At my house, Santa came while we were at church. Christmas happened on Christmas Eve so the women could make the big Christmas dinner on Christmas Day. My husband always celebrated Christmas on Christmas morning, so we went with his tradition. It always felt wrong to me on Christmas Eve to not have Christmas, so I always allowed everyone to open one small gift on Christmas Eve after church. Simple! Everyone was happy.
Truffles were not part of our Christmas tradition growing up, but this recipe has become a family favorite. I’ve taught lots of friends how to make these and many have exchanged the coffee for peppermint and other flavorings, but they all also agree that the mocha truffles are the best.
Mocha Truffles
2 (12 oz) packages milk chocolate chips
1 (8 oz) pkg cream cheese, softened
1 lb chocolate candy coating
3 Tbsp instant coffee granules
2 tsp water
Place chocolate chips in a microwave-safe glass measuring cup. Heat in 15-second intervals until melted. Stir occasionally.
Add the cream cheese, stir. Dissolve the coffee granules in two tsp of water and stir into the chocolate mixture, mixing well.
Chill in the refrigerator 1 1/2 – 2 hours until firm enough to form 1-inch balls. Place the balls on a cookie sheet covered with aluminum foil or waxed paper and place in refrigerator until firm.
I like to melt the entire package of candy coating as it makes it easier to dip the balls (I add peanuts to whatever is left to make nut clusters)
Using toothpicks, dip and coat truffle centers. Tap the toothpick on the side of the dipping dish to make sure all the extra chocolate falls off. Otherwise, you will have large puddles of chocolate around the base of your truffle. Set the truffles on wax paper to harden. You can decorate with a contrasting color of candy coating if you wish, but I leave them simply chocolate.
Author: Peggy McAloon
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Let me know in the comments if you tried this recipe!
