oreo truffles

i'm testing these sweet things out on my loved one's this valentines day...

oreo truffles

ingredients:

1 package oreo cookies (use whole cookie, including cream center)

1 8 oz. package cream cheese (softened)

white chocolate bark (i couldn't fine the "bark coating", so I used hershey's white chocolate, or any baking white chocolate will do just fine)

directions:

1. finely crush 7 cookies in a food processor or place them in ziploc bag and crush into a fine consistency. reserve for later.

2. crush remaining cookies and stir in softened cream cheese. use the back of a large baking spoon to help mash the two together.

3. roll the mixture into 1" balls and place on wax paper covered cookie sheet.

4. melt chocolate as directed on package and then dip balls into chocolate, tap off extra and set aside on wax paper covered cookie sheet to dry.

5. you can sprinkle the tops with the 7 crushed cookies for decoration.

6. once dry, refrigerate and enjoy!

notes: you can use a small cookie cutter to push the mixture through for heart shaped, v-day truffles. also, it helps to freeze the uncoated balls for a few minutes to keep the mixture from starting to fall apart in the melted chocolate. 

••get creative, use milk chocolate, mint oreos, etc...a fun valentine, or everyday treat!!

Fall Baking - Pumpkin Chocolate Chip Muffins

This is about the time of year I really start missing Utah and the changing of the leaves. Around fall and the holidays, I really get in the mood to bake all things Fall-related. Cort loves pumpkin chocolate chip cookies, but muffins are more "fall-ish" to me, so I decided to switch it up a bit. This is the original recipe, but I sprinkle in a little more nutmeg and cinnamon than asked for - a little trick my friend Lacey taught me. And I always add in more chocolate chips - almost 1 cup more.

INGREDIENTS:

3/4 cup white sugar

1/4 cup vegetable oil

2 eggs 

3/4 cup canned pumpkin

1/4 cup water

1 1/2 cups all-purpose flour

3/4 teaspoon baking powder

1/2 teaspoon baking soda

1/4 teaspoon ground cloves

1/2 teaspoon ground cinnamon

1/4 teaspoon salt

1/4 teaspoon ground nutmeg

1/2 cup semisweet chocolate chips

DIRECTIONS:

1. Preheat the oven to 400 degrees F. Grease and flour muffin pan or use paper liners.

2. Mix sugar, oil and eggs. And pumpkin and water. In separate bowl, mix together the flour, baking soda, baking powder, spices and salt. Add wet mixture and stir in chocolate chips.

3. Fill muffin cups 2/3 with batter. Bake in preheated over for 20 to 25 minutes.