Chocolate Cheese Truffles: Avery Aames Guest Post

As part of the continuing series of Mystery Author Guest Holiday Chocolate Recipe Posts here on DyingforChocolate.com, I welcome back Avery Aames.  

** Book Giveaway: Three commenters today (12/21/12) will win signed copies of CLOBBERED BY CAMEMBERT *** For details, read to the end of the post.

Avery Aames pens the Agatha Award winning, nationally bestselling A Cheese Shop Mystery Series. Avery is the pseudonym for Daryl Wood Gerber. Prior to her career as a novelist, Daryl (aka Avery) created the format for the TV sitcom Out of this World. She was also an actress and co-starred on “Murder, She Wrote” as well as other TV shows. She loves to cook, read, golf, and garden. Visit her website http://www.averyaames.com. And visit her blog where she shares recipes Mystery Lovers Kitchen http://www.mysteryloverskitchen.com

AVERY AAMES: SWEETS FOR YOUR SWEETS

I’m not a gourmet cook, but I do like to experiment, and I adore sweets. During the holidays, I enjoy trying out new recipes for cookies and candy. My family is thankful that I do.

Last year, I discovered an unusual truffle that asked for goat cheese. Now, being what some people call “The Cheese Lady,” I had to test them out. At first, I was a little wary. Chocolate and cheese? But then I thought about it and realized that I adored chocolate cheesecake, and I had made brownies with goat cheese and espresso coffee, which were marvelous. And for Valentine’s Day last year, I made a chocolate and cheese platter. Scrumptious!

Well, these truffles went about as fast as any dessert I’ve ever made.

So, I thought, I would make them again this year but, as an experiment, I would use a different cheese – Monterey Jack (a cow’s milk cheese). The candies turned out looking the same but tasting entirely different. My husband prefers the goat cheese version. I enjoy both.

So from my kitchen to yours, here is an easy recipe with very few ingredients that is a real crowd pleaser.

CHOCOLATE CHEESE TRUFFLES

Ingredients:
¾ cup semi-sweet chocolate chips (I used Ghirardelli 60% cocoa)
1 cup shredded Monterey Jack cheese, at room temperature (or 4 ounces of goat cheese) {Note: I think 4 oz. of ricotta would be a good substitution, as well}
3 tablespoons brown sugar
2 teaspoons Triple Sec
1/3 cup cocoa powder, for dusting


Directions:
1. Melt the chocolate in a microwave-safe bowl on medium-low heat for about 1-2 minutes. Stir. Heat again at medium-low for another 1-2 minutes. Stir. Remove from microwave. It should be smooth when melted.
2. Blend the cheese and brown sugar in a medium-sized bowl. Stir in the melted chocolate and mix until smooth. Add Triple Sec to the mix.
3. Refrigerate the mixture for about 30 minutes to an hour (if it gets too hard, it won’t be easy to form into balls).


4. When you are ready to make the truffles, roll mixture into walnut-sized balls, between the palms of your hands and set on waxed paper. When all the balls are formed, spread the cocoa powder in a flat container (like a pie tin). Roll the balls in the cocoa powder.
5. They are ready to eat. If you prefer to save them, put in an airtight container and store in the refrigerator. They will keep for 4-5 days in the refrigerator. (The cheese is perishable.)

Makes 1 ½ to 2 dozen (depending on the size of your “walnuts”)
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So, what’s your favorite holiday candy or cookie?

Three commenters today will win signed copies of CLOBBERED BY CAMEMBERT.

***
Avery Aames pens the Agatha Award winning, nationally bestselling A Cheese Shop Mystery Series. Avery is the pseudonym for Daryl Wood Gerber. Prior to her career as a novelist, Daryl (aka Avery) created the format for the TV sitcom Out of this World. She was also an actress and co-starred on “Murder, She Wrote” as well as other TV shows. She loves to cook, read, golf, and garden. Visit her website http://www.averyaames.com. And visit her blog where she shares recipes Mystery Lovers Kitchen http://www.mysteryloverskitchen.com

The third in the series, CLOBBERED BY CAMEMBERT, comes out February, 2012. You can pre-order here. BOOKSELLERS LINK: http://www.averyaames.com/book_sellers.htm

Also, if you’re interested, sign up for Avery’s mailing list so you’ll receive the latest news on releases and contests.
LINK: http://www.averyaames.com/mailinglist_signup.html

Lastly, the Goat Cheese Brownies recipe can be found under desserts on my group blog: Mystery Lovers Kitchen: LINK: http://www.mysteryloverskitchen.com/p/recipe-index.html