Eggnog Truffles

       Remember the fire red tree I posted about here? The leaves are raked, the branches bare, the magic is gone. Now it's just a memory. Until next year.

      But there is new magic coming. The magic of Christmas time. The red and green decorations are out, garlands found their place on the fireplace, and I am planning our Christmas dinner menu.

     This time is also a time of baking. And lots of it! This year, even more than the last, my Girls are helping me with this task. Audrey is 5 and Vivienne is almost 3, so they can cut out the cookies, frost them and add some sprinkles. Last year they mostly watched me, but this year I could step away and watch them. :)

   There are also the evenings when they go to sleep and dream about the cookies they just made, and the St. Nick that "came down the chimney with a bound". That's when my Husband and I sit in front of the fireplace and enjoy classic Christmas movies. Like "Wonderful Life".

    As a baker, I wanted to make little treats we could enjoy. Eggnog truffles seemed like a prefect choice. They are so easy to make, smell delicious and just melt in your mouth. Those little gems are so sweet and creamy - it makes you happy! :)

Eggnog Truffles

12 oz. ( 1 pkg. ) white chocolate chips
4 oz.  ) 1/2 pkg. ) cream cheese, softened
1 cup of powdered sugar
1/4 tsp ground nutmeg
1/4 tsp rum extract or 2 drops of butter rum flavor
1 Tbsp vegetable shortening

In a medium mixing bowl, beat cream cheese until smooth. Add sugar, nutmeg and extract and beat until blended and smooth. Melt 8 oz. of white chocolate chips in a microwave safe bowl or over a double boiler. Add to cream cheese mixture. Beat until all is mixed together. Cover with a plastic wrap and place in refrigerator for at least 4 hours. Scoop out the mixture with a teaspoon and shape into balls. Transfer onto a baking sheet lined with a waxed paper. Place in refrigerator. In the meantime, melt the remaining chocolate chips and the tablespoon of shortening. Stir until smooth. Dip one ball at a time, using a fork. Place back on the tray. At this point you can sprinkle it with additional nutmeg or cookie sprinkles. You want to do this before the chocolate will harden. Repeat for every truffle. Place the sheet back in the fridge for 1 hour, so the truffles and chocolate can set. Store in the fridge.

You can also roll each truffle in coconut instead of dipping them in melted white chocolate.

I love the eggnog taste of those truffles. Both versions are equally pleasing. They also look pretty festive - perfect for the holiday season. You can keep them in the fridge and treat your guests at any time.

I will be making more truffles this season. That's for sure.

Enjoy!