Saturday, February 22, 2014

Trail Magic Recipes For Home: Oreo Truffles


My Mom (AKA "Jester's Mom") is known far but possibly not wide as an excellent baker of all sorts of Trail Magic goodies.  The problem: normally, you have to do the work of actually hiking to benefit from this.  And who wants to do that?

Pat O'Donnell, badass baker and hiker
So this will be the first in a series of blog posts that will provide you with the ability to enjoy Trail Magic baked goods from the comfort of your couch, your bed, or even the floor, should your hiking lifestyle put you in the position of not being able to afford furniture.  Or maybe you'll make a batch and drive to the nearest trail to give some out to hikers, only to discover that you've eaten three-quarters of them on the way there.

The beauty of this recipe to me is that it doesn't really involve "baking," which makes it a good recipe for those who are afraid of ovens, those who are too impatient to let one pre-heat the whole way, and those who, if allowed to use an oven, would burn the house to the ground. 

Oreo Truffles
Makes: 4 doz. or 48 servings, 1 truffle each (alternately, if you are alone in the house when you make these, it sometimes makes 1 serving of 48 truffles)

Prep Time: 45 minutes
Total Time: 1 hour 45 minutes

Ingredients:
1 pkg. (8oz) Philadelphia Cream Cheese, softened
1 pkg. (15.5oz) Regular Oreo Cookies, finely crushed (about 4-1/4 cups), divided
2 pkg. (8 squares each) Baker's Semi-Sweet Chocolate

What else you need:
Mixing bowl, mixer, large heatproof bowl, pan/pot for simmering water, wax paper, baking sheet, two forks 

Directions:

1. In a mixing bowl, mix Cream Cheese and 3 cups cookie crumbs until well blended.

2. Shape into 48 (1 inch) balls and place on wax-lined tray.  Refrigerate for 15 minutes.

3. Place broken up chocolate in a large heatproof bowl set over a pan of simmering water; stir until melted and smooth.  Note: bowl should not sit IN the water, but should rest on top of pan/pot.

4. Dip balls in melted chocolate (you’re allowed to giggle softly to yourself at that direction, but let’s not get carried away); place back on waxed paper-covered baking sheet.  Sprinkle with remaining cookie crumbs.

5. Refrigerate one hour or until firm.  Store in tightly covered container in refrigerator.

Tip:
How To Easily Dip Truffles: Add truffles, in batches, to bowl of melted chocolate.  Use 2 forks to roll truffles in chocolate until evenly coated.
Remove truffles with forks, letting excess chocolate drip back into bowl.  Place truffles on sheet.



Friday, February 14, 2014