Cherry-Chocolate Truffles

By trf0ster

Combine the decadence of truffles with the sweet-tart appeal of chocolate-covered cherries for these treats.

Ingredients

• 8 oz. semisweet chocolate, chopped
• 4 oz. bittersweet chocolate, chopped
• 1/4 cup half-and-half
• 1 cup butter, softened
• 1 cup finely chopped dried red tart cherries
• 1/4 cup cherry-flavored brandy or liqueur
• 2 1/2 oz. white chocolate baking bar, finely grated
• Cocoa, if desired
• 48 small (1-inch) paper or foil candy cups

Details

Servings 4
Adapted from pillsbury.com

Preparation

Step 1

In medium saucepan, combine semisweet chocolate, bittersweet chocolate and half-and-half. Cook over low heat until chocolate is melted, stirring frequently. Remove from heat. Cool 10 minutes

With wire whisk, beat butter, 1 tablespoon at a time, into chocolate until smooth and creamy. Beat in cherries and liqueur. Cover; refrigerate 1 1/2 hours, stirring twice, or until mixture is thick and can be molded.

Spread grated baking bar on sheet of waxed paper. Drop teaspoonfuls of chocolate mixture over grated baking bar; roll each to coat and shape into rough ball. For variety, roll some of the chocolate mixture in cocoa. Place truffles in candy cups. Refrigerate until serving time.

Kirsch is an example of cherry-flavored brandy.
Use almond liqueur instead of cherry-flavored liqueur. Amaretto di Saronno, from Saronno, Italy is the original almond liqueur.
Use a hand-held rotary grater--commonly used for hard cheeses and nuts--to grate the white baking bar for these truffles. Look for a rotary grater at cookware stores.

Nutritional Information

Nutrition Information:
1 Serving (1 Truffle)
Calories 95 o (Calories from Fat 65), * Total Fat 7g o (Saturated Fat 4g, Cholesterol 10mg;* Sodium 30mg;* Total Carbohydrate 7g o (Dietary Fiber 0g, o Sugars 6g),* Protein 1g;

Percent Daily Value*:
* Calcium ;
Exchanges:* 1/2 Starch;* 1 1/2 Fat;
Carbohydrate Choices: * 1/2;
*Percent Daily Values are based on a 2,000 calorie diet.