A December to Remember

Chelsea G., 12 1/2, Ontario, Canada for Country Kitchen.
If you like chocolate listen up: These are Hidden Treasure Truffles. There's a chewy chocolate caramel inside every decadent truffle.

Filling:
2 (350 g) packagesof choco. chips
1 (300 ml) can sweetened condensed milk
2 tsp vanilla
1 package of pure milk chocolate covered caramels

Melt choco. chips and sweetened condensed milk over low heat, stirring constantly until smooth. Remove from heat. Stir in vanilla. Chill 2 hours. Shape into small balls, about 1" (2.5 cm)with choco. caramels in center.

Coatings:
Rolled: Finely chopped nuts, toasted coconut, chocolate sprinkles, or cocoa

Roll balls in any of the coatinngs immediately after shaping.

Dipped:
1 (225/300 g) package of chocochips, Vanilla or chocolate.
and 2 tbsp shortening

Chill balls about 1 hour or until firm. Melt chips and shortening together, stirring until smooth. Dip balls, one at a time into melted chips to cover completely. Gently shake off excess coating. Place on wax paper covered tray. If desired sprinkle some truffles with chopped nuts immediately after dipping. Let stand or refrigerate until set, about 10 minutes. If desired, drizzle some truffles with melted chocolate from spoon or icing bag to decorate. Store loosely covered in a cool dry place upto 2 months. MAKES 6 DOZEN.

Here are some Christmas recipes:

1. Quick Eggnog makes 2qt.

(8c.) commercial eggnog
3 tbsp. plus 1 tbsp. rum flavoring (optional)
6 egg whites (room tempurature)
Nutmeg for top (freshly grated if possible)

Pour eggnog into a large bowl; add rum flavoring. Whip egg whites until stiff, but not dry. Fold into eggnog mixture. Refrigerate until ready to serve. Lightly sprinkle nutmeg on top of each serving.

Sincerely, Danielle