Virtual Christmas Cookie Exchange

Since I recently posted about Christmas cookie baking, I thought I would link up a favorite recipe to a virtual cookie exchange! I am always on the hunt for new Christmas recipes to add to our tried and true favorites. Every year, I try to include at least 1 or 2 new recipes into our Christmas baking day.  If the recipes turn out well, they get written down in the Christmas book, but if not, we 'lose' that recipe and try something else next year!

This is a very easy favorite. It's dangerous to have around. All I'll say is that it's a good thing I only make them at Christmas, and give most of them away quickly. It would not be good to have a lot of them sitting around the house!

Here is the basic recipe:

Oreo Truffles
1 package of Oreos, crushed
1 8oz. block of cream cheese, softened
1 tsp. vanilla extract
12 oz bag of semi-sweet chocolate or white chips

First, crush all the cookies either by hand (in a bag with a rolling pin) or in a food processor. The smaller the better - if you can get it into a powdery texture, that's best. Next, in your mixer or food processor, combine the cream cheese, cookie crumbs, and vanilla extract until mixture resembles paste - it will still look and feel 'wet' but should be very moldable. Form the mixture into small balls and chill them for at least an hour. Melt the chocolate and dip the cookie balls into it. Place on a wax paper lined tray to harden. Before they harden, you may shake sprinkles or colored sugar or crushed peppermints onto the tops. Or after they harden, melt a different color chocolate and drizzle over the dry truffles. Keep chilled for best results.

 

Here are a few variations:

Low Fat Oreo Truffles

Follow the recipe above exactly, using the following ingredient substitutions:

Use 1 package of reduced fat Oreo's in place of regular.
Use low fat or fat free cream cheese.

Making them in this way cuts down the calories and fat. While they are still not the healthiest thing in the world, by following the low fat version you can get them down to 2 WW points+ each!

Flavor Variations:

Mint - substitute mint Oreo's and peppermint extract. When dry, drizzle melted green wafers over the tops of the truffles.

Golden - Substitute golden Oreo's for the regular ones. Use vanilla extract, and definitely dip in white chocolate!

Gluten and Dairy Free Version:

Of course, we have to make this version for those in our household to whom it applies:

We substitute the Kinnikinnick K-Toos GF/DF Oreo's for the cookies.

We sub in Tofutti Soy "Better Than" Cream Cheese for the cream cheese.

Be sure to use a gluten free vanilla extract!

Then dip them in melted scrumptious Enjoy Life 'Chocolate' Chips to complete the process.



 

 

No matter which version you make, I can guarantee that they won't last long! And if you give them away as gifts, everyone will love them, and at least several people will ask for the recipe. And really....they couldn't be easier!


I am linking this to a virtual cookie exchange over at "Treasuring Life's Blessings".