The Ghost of Weekend Gourmet's Christmas Past: Peppermint Surprise Truffles

Sorry I haven't made it back in here to post since the weekend. Between holiday shopping and Michael's birthday yesterday, I've had one busy week. I baked him a Champagne-Berry Cake With White Chocolate Cream Cheese Icing, and it was a big hit! I promise to post the recipe in here this weekend. But first? I want to share one of my all-time favorite holiday recipes. I originally shared it here last Christmas season, but this one's so good I'm sure no one will mind me repeating it!!  One of the goodies that I make every Christmas season are luscious peppermint-infused truffles. 

When people taste these amazing truffles, they literally go nuts for them...then they beg for the recipe. Every single time. I call them Peppermint Surprise Truffles, because people are always surprised to hear that the secret ingredient is...Oreo cookies! I'm not sure where the recipe originated...I have tons of friends who also make these truffles. However, I have a few fun twists that I've added as I've tinkered with the recipe during the past few holiday seasons. I'm a peppermint fiend, so I add peppermint candy and peppermint extract to the filling...as well as a generous sprinkle of peppermint on top of each truffle. 

These truffles are rich and fudgy, with a very pronounced peppermint flavor. If you're not a peppermint fiend like me, you can delete the candy canes and substitute any extract of your choice to the base recipe. Two nice variations are Grand Marnier and orange peel and almond extract and almonds sprinkled on top. If you make a batch of these truffles, I promise your friends and family will beg you to make them again and again! Luckily, they're as simple to make as they are to eat...

Peppermint Surprise Truffles

a Weekend Gourmet Original

Step 1:  Add a 16-ounce package of Oreos and approximately 3 broken candy canes to a food processor. Process until the cookies and candy canes are fine crumbs. Don't use Double Stuff or lowfat Oreos...I learned the hard way that this will negatively impact the consistency of the filling.

Step 2:  Add the Oreo-peppermint crumbs, an 8-ounce package softened cream cheese, and 1 tsp. peppermint extract to a mixing bowl. Mix on low speed for 2-3 minutes, until everything is combined. Stop and scrape the sides of the bowl once or twice. You'll know it's ready when it looks like mud.

Step 3:  Roll the mixture into balls and place on a cookie sheet. I usually get between 32 and 36 truffles per batch. Place the cookie sheet in the freezer for about 30 minutes. The truffles are MUCH easier to coat and set up better if I do this! 

Step 4:  Melt a 16-ounce package of chocolate chips in the microwave...in 30-second increments. Stir until melted. Stick a toothpick into a chilled truffle and dip in the melted chocolate to coat. Place truffles on a cutting board covered with foil. Remove the truffle from the toothpick with a second toothpick...cover the hole with a bit more melted chocolate. Sprinkle more chopped peppermint on top of each truffle and put the pan in the fridge to set.

Boy...are these truffles fudgy and full of peppermint flavor! I never can resist having a sample...just to make sure they're perfect. 

No one EVER guesses that the filling is made from Oreo cookies...but they ALWAYS ask for seconds (and thirds) of these fantastic truffles. I hope you'll whip up a batch before the holidays are over! By the way, white chocolate works really nicely as well...the crushed peppermint on top of the white coating just screams holiday. I can't wait to whip up a batch of these for my family's Christmas Eve party next week!!!

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