Homemade Chocolate Truffles

I made these for our Girls' Night In party a few years ago. When people see the photos, they always ask for the recipe. Truffles can be very expensive so these make a wonderful homeade holiday treat!

Dark Chocolate Truffles

Makes: 25-30  

2 cups 60% Cacao Bittersweet Chocolate Chips

1/3 cup Unsweetened Cocoa

1/3 cup heavy whipping cream

6 tablespoons unsalted butter, cut into small pieces

Options:

¼ teaspoon orange zest with ½ teaspoon orange liqueur

¼ teaspoon strong coffee or espresso with ½ teaspoon coffee liqueur

Directions
In a small saucepan, bring the cream to a simmer. Add the butter and stir until melted. Add the chocolate chips. Stir until completely melted and smooth. Remove from the heat and pour into a shallow bowl.

Cool, cover, and refrigerate the mixture until firm, at least 2 hours.

Use a very small ice cream scoop, a melon baller, or very small spoon to roll the mixture into 1-inch balls. Roll each ball in cocoa. Refrigerate in an airtight container for up to 2 weeks.

You may also roll truffles in finely chopped chocolate, finely chopped toasted nuts or coconut, or Confectioner’s sugar.

Weekend Cocktail Recipe: Pomegranate Cranberry Kiss

Cranberry, orange, pomegranate… with the flavors of the season wrapped up in one glass, this will be your go-to cocktail this holiday season.

Villeroy & Boch New Cottage Saucer Martini glassPOMEGRANATE CRANBERRY KISS COCKTAIL

Makes 1

2 cups ice

2 ounces cranberry juice cocktail

1 ounce Pama Pomegranate Liqueur*

½ ounce orange liqueur

Splash of club soda, Prosecco, or Champagne for fizz- optional

Put a cup of ice in the glass to chill it. In a cocktail shaker, add the other cup of ice and all ingredients except the club soda. Shake until very cold. Remove the ice from the glass and pour. For a festive option, “float” a little club soda, Prosecco, or Champagne on the top of each for a little sparkle.   

*If you cannot find Pomegranate liqueur, substitute 1 ounce vodka and ½ ounce pomegranate juice.

Weekend Cocktail Recipe: Peppermint Bark Martini

One of my favorite holiday treats is peppermint bark. I cannot wait for it to come out in the stores each holiday season. This martini has the same smooth white chocolate flavor with a peppermint kick! Try them for your party or for sitting by the fire after a long day of holiday decorating or shopping.

PEPPERMINT BARK MARTINI

Makes one

INGREDIENTS

 1 ounce Vanilla Vodka ( I usually keep my in the freezer to keep it really cold before serving) 

1 ounce Godiva White Chocolate Liquor

½ ounce Peppermint Liquor (like peppermint schnapps or white crème de menthe will work)

Splash of heavy whipping cream- optional

Garnish with mini candy canes or crush delicious peppermint bark or candy canes to rim the glass.

Chill martini glasses by filling with ice. Fill your cocktail shaker with ice. Add all ingredients and shake until really cold.

MORE HOLIDAY COCKTAIL RECIPES BY MARTIE

HOT BUTTERED RUM

HOLIDAY DOUBLE BUBBLE

OATMEAL COOKIE MARTINI

Recession Buster Holiday Party Themes: New to You Party, Santa's Workshop Party, Cookie Swap, Family Photo Swap, Wii Bowling Tournament

Are you still looking for some easy ideas for your holiday parties yet to come? Or would you like to host something this year, just not sure what or how you can afford it? Check out some of my easy, affordable ideas for holiday entertaining this year. They're big on fun but won't break the bank!

Recession Buster: Host a New to You Party Cheap is the new chic! This one’s a favorite of fashionistas everywhere! You can do a home accessory swap, holiday decor, furniture swap, kid’s clothing, etc…. whatever appeals to you and your crowd. Guests bring in their new (we all have stuff hanging with the tags still on!) or gently used items and swap, sell or barter their way to a brand new look! Plan a super simple menu or ask everyone to pitch in and bring something.

”Deck My Halls” Holiday Decoration Swap A big group of friends bring greenery from their yards and holiday decorations they want to exchange or trade--- everyone gets something fresh and new for their holiday decor. You can even do this the week after the holiday so everyone can exchange their decorations for something new for next year.

Family Photo Swap Party What to do with family members who come to stay for the holidays!! Share photos and make great albums and scrapbooks! Fun for the kiddies, too!There is always one family memeber with all of the keepsake photos. Ask them to bring the old family photo album this year so you can scan and print copies for you own family.

Holiday Sweets Swap--- a tradition in many offices, neighborhoods and social groups; make extra of your favorite holiday sweets, cookies, and treats to share!

Santa’s Workshop Party Make memories and keepsakes, too. We empty out the garage and turn it into Santa’s workshop with craft tables for the kids. Get one of the dads to dress up as Santa... and include a homemade cookie bar, hot chocolate, and plenty of treats for the adults, too. This one is perfect for the weekend before the holiday; everyone  really gets into the holiday spirit.

It's a Wrap Party A party with a purpose. Friends get together for a weekend of wrapping holiday gifts for a fee with proceeds going to local charities. Huge buffet spread of holiday favorites for volunteers and attendees.

Wii Bowling Party- What to do the day after the holiday when family is still camped out at your house? Throw a Wii bowling party… complete with teams, trophies, and pizza. Set up a build your own pizza bar in the kitchen so everyone can make their favorites. Ask families to wear team shirts—everyone with their own team name and color.

Weekend Cocktail: Holiday Hot Chocolate

In the cafes of Barcelona, the hot chocolate is legendary. It’s served thick, dark, and rich, flavored with espresso and a hint of orange. The chocolate there is so thick, you almost need a spoon. This is my version of the hot chocolate I came to love while traveling in Spain. The taste is the same, but it is not quite as thick. For an extra kick, add a liqueur. This one is delicious with a shot of vanilla vodka and a little Grand Marnier, but would be very good with peppermint liqueur, white chocolate liqueur, Holiday Hot Chocolate served in Vietri Old St. Nick mugsor a shot of lovely, dark rum. Yum! 

Why not set up a HOT CHOCOLATE BAR for your next party. Mix up a huge pot of hot chocolate. Display whipped cream, toppings, liqueurs, shavings, coffee flavorings, etc so guests can mix up their own concoction.

HOLIDAY HOT CHOCOLATE

Yield: 4 servings

Ingredients

2/3 cup  heavy cream

2 ounces  good-quality dark or bittersweet (60 to 70 percent cocoa) chocolate, finely chopped

1 1/3  cups  whole milk

1 cup Espresso or strong coffee left over from the morning (okay to cheat and use Nescafe)

1/4  cup  unsweetened cocoa powder

1/4  cup  sugar

½ teaspoon pure vanilla extract

1  2-inch piece orange rind

Pinch salt

1/4  cup  fresh whipping cream* (optional)

Cocoa powder or chocolate shavings (optional)

Preparation

Combine heavy cream, chopped chocolate, cocoa, and sugar in a medium saucepan. Stir well to incorporate, then place over low heat, whisking constantly until chocolate melts and the mixture is smooth. Gradually add the salt, vanilla, orange rind, milk and coffee. Cook over medium-low heat, continuing to stir with a whisk. Heat 5 minutes or until tiny bubbles form around edge of pan, stirring frequently (do not boil). Discard the rind.

Adult version: Add one shot vanilla vodka and 1 teaspoon orange liqueur to each mug.

Pour 1 cup mixture into each of 4 mugs. Spoon 1 heaping tablespoon whipped cream over each serving. Dust with cocoa powder or chocolate shavings, if desired.