December 20, 2012

peppermint "joe-joe" truffles

Have you had Trader Joe's Candy Cane Joe-Joes? Surely, you've at least heard of their amazingness. They are truly perfection and since they're seasonal, it's pretty hard not to grab a box or two when you're shopping at TJ's. I'm still not eating sugar but I knew I had to buy a box before they were out of stock (I saved myself a couple for when I'm eating sweets again someday - I don't mind them when they're a little stale!) I wanted to make a fun treat for our Polar Express party this weekend and decided that it would be fun to make Oreo truffles out of the Candy Cane Joe-Joes! They were a hit! And really easy too! This recipe makes a lot (about 36) so be sure you have somewhere to take these or else you'll be stuck with a whole bunch of rich truffles that you probably shouldn't eat all by yourself. The "old me" would've done that . . .
36 Candy Cane Joe-Joes (or regular Oreos if you can't get these - and then I feel sorry for you)
1 package cream cheese, softened
1 teaspoon peppermint extract
16 ounces white chocolate chips (or white chocolate bark)
1/4 cup crushed peppermint candies

Place cookies in a food processor and pulse until finely crushed. In a medium bowl, whip cream cheese with an electric mixer until smooth. Add cookie crumbs and peppermint extract and mix well until combined and evenly moistened.

Scoop out 1 teaspoon spoonfuls of the cookie mixture and roll gently until it forms a compact ball. Place on a wax paper lined cookie sheet and repeat until all cookie mixture has been used. Place truffles in freezer for 30 minutes.

In a small bowl, set over a barely simmering saucepan of water, melt chocolate chips or bark until smooth. Remove bowl from on top of the saucepan and set aside. Remove truffles from freezer and gently dip into the melted chocolate to coat (I use a fork to hold it and then let it drip off. Place truffles on wax paper and immediately sprinkle with crushed peppermint candies. Allow chocolate to set and then store in an airtight container in the refrigerator.

7 comments:

  1. These are one of my most requested treats at Christmas and I won't even tell you how many boxes of Joe Joes's I picked up this week! I never thought to add a little peppermint extract to them though - I will do that this year. Merry Christmas!

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  2. I may or may not have forced my poor children and husband to eat the rest of your peppermint truffles and Stephanie's cookies left over from the party for breakfast. I couldn't have them sitting there tempting me all day!

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  3. I too am sugar free, although I use honey in recipes. Againstallgrain.com has a recipe for sugar free peppermints. I do not care for peppermints, but those peppermints are SO good and made without sugar!

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  4. Where's the Cake Stand from?! I want one, love it.

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  5. Yum. Oreo made candy cane oreos this year, so even those without a trader joes can partake!

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  6. How do you have the willpower not to eat ONE. Man alive, I would be up a creek if I made those.......must learn from you oh wise one.

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  7. Made these, not my favorite. Sorry.

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