Grasshopper Truffles

I was browsing on Pinterest last week looking for inspiration when I came across Cookin' Cowgirl's recipe for Thin Mint Truffles. Since it's December (and Girl Scout cookies won't be here for another few months), I decided to give it a try with Keebler Grasshoppers. The results were DELICIOUS, so I hope you give it a try. Here's how I did it. The recipe makes about 3 dozen.

Ingredients:
2 packages Wilton's White Candy Melts (vanilla flavored)
2 packages Keebler Grasshopper cookies
Wilton Candy Flavorings (Creme de Menthe)
1 package cream cheese, softened
Christmas sprinkles
Mini cupcake liners

Put both packages of cookies into a ziploc bag and break up into teeny tiny pieces. I like to do it old school with a rolling pin, but feel free to use a fancy Kitchen Aid mixer if you have one.

The broken up cookies should look something like this. Then add the package of cream cheese. Mix with your hands...there's really no better way to do it.

The mixture will look something like this, and it will be sticky!!

Roll the mixture into 1-inch balls and arrange on a cookie sheet. You will probably need more than one sheet. Put in the freezer so they can set for about 10-15 minutes.

In the meantime, melt the Wilton's Candy Melts according to the package directions. Add a couple drops of the candy flavoring. Be sure to mix well and taste to make sure it's as minty as you want it.

Take the balls out of the freezer and dip them one by one into the melted candy. Put them on another cookie sheet to harden. There are lots of fancy ways you can do this so that the balls come out perfectly, but as you can tell, I'm not worried about the extra candy pooling around the bottom. In fact, the next step is actually my favorite...good stress relief. Anyway, once you've dipped about 4 balls, sprinkle them with the Christmas sprinkles (or sprinkles of your choice if you're not doing this around the holidays). If you wait 'til the end to add the sprinkles, the candy will have hardened and the sprinkles will bounce right off.

Once you've dipped and sprinkled them all, allow them to set (they can just rest on the counter) for about 10 more minutes. Now here comes my favorite part. Using a paring or Santoku knife, trim away the excess candy that has gathered at the bottom. Be careful not to squeeze the truffle too hard while you're cutting or the candy shell will bust.

Here's what a trimmed truffle will look like. Cute, huh? Place the finished product in mini cupcake liners.

Since I am packaging these as a gift, I found bakery boxes at The Container Store for 99 cents each!

Finish off with some sparkly ribbon, and you have a handmade treat sure to delight any cookie/chocolate/yummy things lover. Or you can completely skip the bakery box and ribbon and just dig in yourself!

Happy Truffling!