Chocolate Peanut Butter Pretzel Truffles

Sounds heavenly, right?

who wants a cute little truffle?

They are.

after I dove in and swam around a little

I must give credit where credit is due. Jessica, a.k.a., master of all things sweet, is who provided me with  this simple recipe. And it doesn't disappoint.

I challenge you to find a room with three people who all don't like Reese's peanut butter cups.  It won't happen. Unless you surround yourself with loonies on a regular basis.

don't slobber all over your keyboard. just go make some.

All you need:

• 1/4 finely chopped salted pretzels
• 1/2 cup peanut butter (I used my new favorite, Naturally More. go get that, because it's got a fantastic flax seed crunch to it)
• 1/2 cup chocolate chips (I used milk chocolate, but dark chocolate would've been even better)

I found crushing the pretzels in a ziplock baggie to be most effective. And great stress relief.

don't chop them finer than this. I almost wish I had bigger pretzel pieces.

Combine peanut butter and pretzels in a small bowl. Chill in the freezer until firm, about 15 minutes.

Roll the peanut butter/pretzel mixture into little balls. I made them smaller than necessary... because who doesn't want MORE truffles for a little less guilt? ;)

Place on a baking sheet (lined with parchment or wax paper for less mess) and freeze until very firm.

Roll the frozen balls in melted chocolate. Refrigerate until the chocolate is set.

Thanks to my Aunt Nancy and the Cupcake Kit she gave me (which I'm SO excited to use once I finally have the time to make some little cuppycakes!), I had adorable little wrappers for the truffles.

my aunties spoil me with the best gifts.

the end result was a fancy-tasting peanut butter cup.

cha-ching!

Meggy gave her stamp of approval.

I wish I thought to take a picture of my practically empty Naturally More peanut butter jar.

I'm choosing to blame the truffles.

Not my baby spoon-fulls.

That I may or may have not stolen from the jar...

several times a day.

In Other News...

I've been very bLyssfully busy! :)

An Oreo Ball Adventure

I follow a few blogs, and I was completely inspired by Jessica's oreo balls. After reading her recipe, I was sold on the oreos, cream cheese, and chocolate. Uh, hello best foods combined ever?

Since I just moved into my new digs and have a kitchen appliance population made up of a refrigerator, a microwave, and a blender, I had to get creative when thinking up a fun treat to take to a recent holiday party. Thank you, Jessica, for the delight that is oreo balls.

these bite-sized suckers will find their way to your mouth in threes. 

What you need:

1. a package of oreos (I used regular reduced fat.. you can use the mint-filled as well!)

2. an 8 oz. tub of cream cheese (also reduced fat.. obviously, my route is to eat as many oreo balls as I can for less fat grams)

3. any type of chocolate chips (I used white chocolate)

4. parchment paper

5. 2 cookie sheets

Since I had no food processor, I put the oreos in a ziplock baggie and crushed them with a cup.  Since I also have no mixer yet, I kneeded the oreo crumbles into the cream cheese with my hands (FUN mess!).

Then, I took the doughy oreo and made little bite-sized balls.  Remember to keep them small, cause they'll get bigger when you dip them in chocolate.

Anastasia was my partner in crime/fellow oreo baller

Stick those oreo balls on a parchment paper covered cookie sheet and keep them in the freezer for about an hour.  Since they'll be cold, the chocolate will harden faster in the next step.

WARNING: melty white chocolate will be cosumed.

Melt the chocolate chips one cup at a time in a shallow bowl (I used the microwave), and keep stirring to ensure it's still a little thick. Then, take a tiny spoon and roll the balls in the chocolate.

Stick them back on the wax paper, put them in the freezer for another hour, and you're good to go for toppings!

Ta-da!

I wish I had more chips... I only one big bag, but if I had more, I would have covered the oreo balls with another layer.  It just makes 'em prettier.  :)

after one coat of chocolate

I added some red frosting for some color, but crushed peppermint as a topping (Jessica's suggestion - hers looked beautiful!) or sprinkles would have worked wonderfully.

Make these for a party, and they'll be a crowd favorite. Happy oreo ballin'!