There were a few recipes that everyone at last weekend’s party couldn’t quit talking about, and this was one of them. I find it funny that people fall in love with the simplest recipes, and this one definitely falls into that category. I can’t honestly tell you how they taste, because I’ve made them twice, and they’ve been gone both times before I could grab one to try. I guess if I want to try one I should make them again for Christmas with green and red sprinkles and see if I can finally get one.
Speaking of Christmas, check out this Halloween Chalkware Santa I picked up a few years ago in a little town called Jim Thorpe in Pennsylvania. This cute wee postcard-perfect town is nestled at the base of a steep valley created by the LeHigh River, and seems to pop up out of nowhere. I spent two days exploring it with my “2nd Husband,” while B.O.B. Bob and my brother Matt attended CIGARfest. We drank, ate, explored, and drank again, and quickly fell in love with this quaint town and it’s quirky little stores. I hope to go back one day and experience it all again, but next time around maybe we’ll try and avoid the parking tickets.
Things You Must Do in Jim Thorpe:
- Go to Molly Maguires Pub & Steakhouse for a casual meal or to watch a sports game. Their outside seating is a fun place to waste away the day.
- Visit The Emporium of Curious Goods; just trust me on this one, it’s an experience. Make sure to check out the selection of Rich Connolly Chalkware while you are there.
- Walk around the town, it’s freakin’ gorgeous and has beautiful hidden little treasures around every bend.
- Don’t miss Jim Thorpe’s House of Jerky. That’s right, an entire store of jerky.
- Only park in designated parking spots, because they tend to be a bit ticket happy in this small town.
Ingredients:
- 1 (14.3-oz) Package of Oreo Original Chocolate Sandwich Cookies
- 1 (8-oz) Package Cream Cheese, Softened
- 1 (12-oz) Bag Wilton Dark Cocoa Candy Melts
- Halloween Sprinkles
Directions:
- Line a large baking sheet with parchment paper; set aside.
- Finely crush the Oreo cookies using your hands, or place them in a large Ziploc bag and crush them with a rolling pin.
- In a large bowl, combine the Oreo cookies with the softened cream cheese.
- Roll the mixture into evenly sized 1-inch balls, and carefully place on a large piece of tin foil. You can use a small cookie scoop to make sure that you make evenly sized truffle balls.
- Place the Candy Melts in a small glass bowl, and then microwave for 1 minute. Stir well, and then microwave again for 30 seconds.
- One at a time, drop each ball into the melted chocolate, and then remove with a small fork and place on the prepared baking sheet. Top each ball with Halloween sprinkles before dipping another one, or the chocolate coating will harden too much for them to adhere.
- Refrigerate for 2 hours, before storing in an airtight container in the refrigerator.
Suggestions:
- Use a potato masher to combine the Oreo cookies and cream cheese. It will help to eliminate any large cookie lumps. I chose to crush the cookies by hand, even though it took a little longer, because too much of the cream filling gets stuck to the Ziploc bag when using that particular technique.
- You can purchase Candy Melts at most craft stores if they are not available at your local market. They make a much better, and faster hardening coating when making candy, and are also fairly inexpensive. Remember you’re coating Oreo cookies, why bother wasting money on expensive chocolate?
- You may need to increase the melting time of the chocolate depending on your microwave. Do this in 15-second intervals, stirring in between each one, just until the chocolate is melted.
- Bring the truffles to room temperature before serving. Any remaining should be refrigerated due to the cream cheese.
Improvements:
- Swirl melted orange Candy Melts on top of each chocolate in lieu of Halloween sprinkles.
- Experiment with different varieties of Oreo cookies. I really wanted to use these Target Exclusive Halloween Oreo cookies, but didn’t have enough time to go pick up a package.
RECIPE ADAPTED FROM: Easy OREO Truffles from Kraft Recipes
