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Truffle Topiary

This delicious "tree" created from chocolates—is rooted in Elisa Schmidt's generosity. "I wanted to give family and friends something they'd remember," she detailed. "So I whipped up piles of these sweets for everyone." Adding to the fun, the CT kitchen staff turned Elisa's treats into a tree. They took their cue from the way she described preparing those piles of candies in her kitchen. You'

44 ServingsPrep: 1 hour + standing Cook: 15 min. + chilling

Ingredients

3 packages (12 ounces each) semisweet chocolate chips, divided
2-1/4 cups sweetened condensed milk, divided
1/2 teaspoon orange extract
1/2 to 1 teaspoon peppermint extract
1/2 teaspoon almond extract
1-1/2 pounds white candy coating, coarsely chopped, divided
1/2 cup ground almonds
12 inch-high Styrofoam cone
Miniature silk roses, red, pink and white (tree pictured used approximately 60 roses)

Directions

In a microwave-safe bowl, melt one package of chocolate chips. Add
3/4 cup condensed milk; mix well. Stir in orange extract. Cover and
chill for 45 minutes or until firm enough to shape. Repeat two more
times with remaining chips and milk, adding peppermint extract to
one portions and almond extract to the other.
Shaping truffles: Shape chilled mixture into 1-in. balls; place on
three separate waxed paper-lined baking sheets. Chill 1-2 hours or
until firm.
Melt 3/4 pound candy coating in a microwave-safe bowl. Dip
orange-flavored balls in coating and return to waxed paper to

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Truffle Topiary (continued)

Directions (continued)

harden. Melt remaining candy coating and dip balls once more to
thoroughly cover. Let harden.
Melt chocolate coating in a microwave-safe bowl. Dip
peppermint-flavored balls in coating and return to waxed paper to
harden.
If desired, melt any remaining coating and drizzle over orange-and
peppermint-flavored truffles, as shown in photo at left.
Roll the almond-flavored truffles in ground almonds.
Making the tree: Cover the Styrofoam cone with foil if desired. Using
toothpicks, stick one end into each truffle and the other end into
the cone, covering entire cone with as many truffles as will fit
attractively. Fill gaps between truffles with silk roses.
(If necessary, you can attach the rose stems to toothpicks with small
pieces of floral or masking tape and insert the toothpicks into the
cone.) Yield: 44 servings, 3 per serving.

Editor's Note: White and dark chocolate confectionery coating is found in the baking section of most grocery stores. It is sometimes labeled "almond bark" or "candy coating" and is often sold in bulk packages of 1 to 1-1/2 pounds. It is the product used for dipping chocolate. Crafter's thoughts: —These sweets are perfect for preparing ahead—undipped, they'll stay fresh in the freezer for several months. (Thaw in refrigerator.) —Use toothpicks to dip the candies, then poke the picks into a foam scrap so the truffles' chocolate bottoms dry smoothly.

Nutrition Facts: 1 serving (3 each) equals 177 calories, 9 g fat (6 g saturated fat), 5 mg cholesterol, 21 mg sodium, 25 g carbohydrate, 1 g fiber, 2 g protein.