Peppermint Pixie Dust Truffles

Peppermint Pixie Dust Truffles

Servings: 36 pieces, but consider double or tripling the recipe

This might just be my all-time favorite sweet treat. The simple combination of chocolate and peppermint let’s everyone know these chocolates came straight from the North Pole. Like the Caramelized Onion and Fig Jam, I wrestled with revealing the secret to these

melt-in-your-mouth truffles…after all, a girl’s gotta have a few secrets, even in the kitchen. But some recipes are just too good not to share. With very little effort, they’ll have your friends and family thinking you’re a confectionery genius. Whether you’re gifting them or serving alongside coffee after a holiday feast, these decadent treats are guaranteed to spread lots of cheer. And in case you're wondering where the name came from, I was making them with my 3-year-old granddaughter. She was like a "little pixie" as she sprinkled her magic dust on the chocolate. And as Paul Harvey used to say, "And now you know the rest of the story."

Ingredients

• 13 oz. box dark chocolate, cocoa dusted truffles

  • Here's the secret - I purchase mine at Sam’s Club every year. They are a seasonal product, CRAZY delicious, and for just $14.99 for a total of 40 oz., it's worth the membership fee if for no other reason than this single purchase. Before you buy a membership, call your local store to confirm they have them in stock as they are on-sale for $10.97 for three 13 oz. boxes. (I love a good deal, and love sharing even more!) If you don't have access to Sam's Club, here's a great alternative which I have personally used and is equally as delicious. Chocmod Truffettes de France Natural Truffles

• 1 c. dark chocolate chips or melting chocolate.

  • One of the few occasions I would say that expensive chocolate won't make much of a difference in the flavor. The truffles are the hero of this treat and dipping them in a tiny bit of melted chocolate is for the sole purpose of holding the sprinkle of peppermint pixie dust.

• 8 oz. peppermint candy, or pre-crushed candy bits

  • Whatever your choice of peppermint candy, you'll be crushing 4 oz. into pixie dust, the other 4 oz. in small candy bits.

Directions

Line a large baking sheet with parchment paper. Melt chocolate using a double boiler.

Don’t have a double boiler?*  While chocolate is melting, take 4 oz. of the candy and crush into fine bits, almost a powder. (I couldn’t work without this Cuisinart Smart Stick, it’s a must-have tool in my kitchen.)

When the chocolate is melted, lightly dip each truffle in chocolate and sprinkle with peppermint dust and a few bits of peppermint. You can dip about four truffles and then sprinkle with peppermint. Any more than that and the chocolate starts to dry, and the peppermint bits won’t stick. Let the chocolate and peppermint candy dry completely and store them in a cool, dry place for a couple of months. These don’t freeze very well, but not to worry, they won’t last long enough to freeze. Check out these handy gift tins. They hold about 6 truffles each - perfect for a party favor or as a companion when gifting a bottle of red wine or a beautiful tea towel.

*Something to Remember

Don’t have a double boiler? If you don't have a double boiler, use a saucepan and a heatproof bowl larger than the opening of the saucepan to create your double boiler:

 Add 1–3 inches of water into the saucepan and bring to a simmer. Place the heatproof bowl on top of the saucepan. The bowl should be large enough to cover the pot's opening but not touch the water. Add chocolate to the bowl. The simmering water will gently melt the chocolate.