Love and Truffles – Baking With Tina: Our resident baking enthusiast shares her go-to dessert for a sweet Valentine’s Day

It’s that time – love is in the air, and everything is heart-shaped.  Valentine’s Day is here, and you either hate it or love it.  Either way, this holiday guarantees one thing for sure: chocolate.  While I’m not one to be whisked away on a cute date, I instead will most likely be in the kitchen, baking sweet treats for anyone who wants to eat them.  Any excuse to bake – as if I need one – is a great day for me.  For those who aren’t particularly excited about Valentine’s Day, I promise it doesn’t have to be all bad.  For those of you celebrating with the one you love, grab one of these sweet treats and bask in your glory.  No matter what you’re doing this Valentine’s Day, I have a recipe that will make everyone happy – I promise!
This is one of my personal favorites because it’s such a versatile dessert.  It can be made for any holiday or occasion.  Are you ready?  Two words: Oreo truffles.  I know what you’re thinking: “But Tina, truffles sound hard.”  Believe me when I tell you these will be one the easiest treats you will ever make.  Considering Valentine’s Day is upon us, I like to spruce them up a bit and add a bit of color.  You just can’t go wrong with these beautiful truffles that will be an instant classic in your home.  I hope you enjoy these as much as I do!

Oreo Truffles
Makes approx. 42 truffles
Ingredients
1 (16 oz.) Package of Oreo Cookies, divided
1 (8 oz.) package of cream cheese
1 or 2 (12 oz.) package(s) of Chocolate Chips (Ghirardelli melts best)
1 (12 oz.) package of Wilton Candy Melts in Red, Pink or White for drizzle (optional)
Sprinkles for Decoration (optional)

Directions
• Crush nine cookies in a food processor until they become fine crumbs.
If you don’t have a food processor, place cookies inside a Ziploc bag and crush
with a rolling pin.  Set aside for later use.
• Crush remaining cookies to fine crumbs, and place into a medium sized bowl.
Add the Cream Cheese; mix until well blended.
• Roll the dough into 1-inch balls.
• Dip balls in chocolate, and place on a wax covered baking sheet.
• Sprinkle truffles with the set-aside Oreo crumbs or sprinkles of your choice.
• Optional: Drizzle with colored candy melts.
• Place in refrigerator until firm, about 1 hour.  Store leftover truffles, covered,
in the fridge.

Baking Tips: Instead of using plain Oreos, you can use any flavor you want to try.
You can also dip the truffles in the colored candy melts, instead of chocolate.
Shape the truffles into hearts, if you’re feeling extra creative.