Truffle Topiary

Name: Truffle Topiary
Prep time: 60 min
Cook time: 15 min
Total time: 1 h 15 min
Yield: 11 dozen.
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; 3/4 pound white candy coating, coarsely chopped; 3/4 pound dark chocolate candy coating, coarsely chopped; 1/2 cup ground almonds; 1 each 6- and 8-inch Styrofoam cones or a single 12-inch cone

TOTAL TIME: Prep: 1 hour + standing Cook: 15 min. + chilling YIELD: 11 dozen.

I wanted to give family and friends something they’d remember, so I whipped up piles of these sweets for everyone. Set them out in a pretty pattern on a cookie tray or turn them into a stunning centerpiece. —Elisa Schmidt, Bethel Park, Pennsylvania

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
3/4 pound white candy coating, coarsely chopped
3/4 pound dark chocolate candy coating, coarsely chopped
1/2 cup ground almonds
1 each 6- and 8-inch Styrofoam cones or a single 12-inch cone

Directions

1. In a microwave-safe bowl, melt 1 pkg. of chocolate chips. Add 3/4 cup condensed milk; mix well. Stir in orange extract. Cover and chill until firm enough to shape, about 45 minutes. Repeat 2 more times with remaining chips and milk, adding peppermint extract to 1 portion and almond extract to the other.
2. Shaping truffles: Shape chilled mixture into 1-in. balls; place on 3 separate waxed paper-lined baking sheets. Chill 1-2 hours or until firm.
3. Melt white candy coating in a microwave-safe bowl. Dip orange-flavored balls in coating and return to waxed paper to harden. Melt remaining white candy coating again and dip balls once more to thoroughly cover. Let harden.
4. Melt chocolate candy coating in a microwave-safe bowl. Dip peppermint-flavored balls in coating and return to waxed paper to harden.
5. Roll the almond-flavored truffles in ground almonds.
6. Making the tree: Brush the Styrofoam cones with remaining chocolate if desired. Using toothpicks, stick 1 end into each truffle and the other end into the cone, covering entire cone with truffles.

Nutrition Facts

1 truffle: 83 calories, 4g fat (3g saturated fat), 2mg cholesterol, 7mg sodium, 11g carbohydrate (10g sugars, 1g fiber), 1g protein.