Peppermint Oreo Truffles

Yield: 36

Ingredients

• 36 Oreos (NOT Doublestuff)
• 1 (8 oz) pkg cream cheese, softened
• 1 tsp peppermint extract
• 16 oz. vanilla almond bark or candy melts
• 1/4 cup crushed candy canes or peppermint candies, for decorating

Directions

• Set a long sheet of wax paper over a cookie sheet, set aside. Place 36 Oreos in a food processor and pulse until finely crushed (alternately if you don't own a food processor you can place Oreos in a large Ziploc bag, seal bag and crush with a rolling pin until finely crushed). Pour crushed Oreos into a mixing bowl. In separate mixing bow blend together cream cheese and peppermint extract. Add cream cheese mixture to crushed Oreos and using a the back of a spoon, stir mixture while pressing it along the bottom of the bowl, until well combine and evenly moistened. Scoop mixture out and form into 1 inch balls (if you happen to have a kitchen scale, they should be about 16 grams each) then align on prepared cookie sheet. Place truffles in freezer for 10 minutes.
• Melt almond bark according to directions on package. Remove truffles from freezer and dip in melted chocolate and evenly coat then allow excess chocolate to run off (I barely made it with 16 oz. of the melted bark but you may need a little more). Return to baking sheet, immediately sprinkle tops with crushed candy canes then allow chocolate to set. Store in an airtight container in refrigerator.

Gingerbread Cupcakes w/Cinnamon Cream Cheese Frosting

Prep Time:  20 minutes 

Cook Time:  25 minutes 

Total Time: 45 minutes

Serves 22

INGREDIENTS 

1 1/2 cups flour

2 tablespoons ground ginger

2 teaspoons cinnamon

1/4 teaspoon nutmeg

1/4 teaspoon ground cloves

1 1/2 cups butter

1 cup sugar

1/2 cup brown sugar

3 tablespoons molasses

4 eggs, at room temperature 

1 1/2 teaspoons vanilla

for the frosting

4 cups powdered sugar

4 ounces cream cheese, softened

1 tablespoon cinnamon

1/2 teaspoon vanilla

2-4 tablespoons heavy cream

INSTRUCTIONS

1. Preheat oven to 350 and line muffin tins with cupcake liners. Whisk together flour, ginger, cinnamon, nutmeg, and cloves. Set aside. 

2. In a another, large bowl cream together butter and sugars until pale and fluffy. Add molasses, beat until combined. Add eggs, beating after each until incorporated. Beat in vanilla. Gradually mix in flour mixture until combined.

3. Divide batter evenly among the lined cups, filling each ¾ full. Bake about 25 minutes until an inserted toothpick comes out clean. Allow to cool in the muffin tins for about 10 minutes, then transfer to wire racks to cool completely.

4. When cupcakes are completely cooled, prepare the frosting. Beat the cream cheese until fluffy (about 2 minutes). Add vanilla, cinnamon, and 2 tablespoons of heavy cream and mix until smooth. Gradually mix in powdered sugar. Add 1-2 more tablespoons of heavy cream as needed to thin the frosting to a spreadable consistency. Spread on cooled cupcakes. (see note) Store in airtight container.

NOTE

**For the frosting, the above recipe is for enough frosting to spread on each of the cupcakes. If you want to pipe the frosting, double the recipe and when adding the heavy cream, add less than you would to spread the frosting. The shape holds up better when the frosting is thicker. Also, before piping the frosting, it may help to allow the frosting to set up for a few minutes and "dry out" a bit. This will help it hold it's piped shape.