Want a perfect Christmas treat? These make great snacks for a holiday party and sweet holiday gifts. The combination of smooth chocolate and crushed candy canes is just the thing to get you in the holiday spirit. Make a double batch of Chocolate Peppermint Truffles because these babies go fast come holiday time.

Ingredients

• 8 ounces semi-sweet chocolate chips
• ¾ cup heavy cream
• 2 tablespoons unsalted butter

• ½ teaspoon peppermint extract
• 1 cup crushed red and white mint candies or candy canes

Instructions

1.
Place chocolate chips in a medium sized mixing bowl.
2.
Heat cream in a small saucepan over medium heat until it comes to a boil. Pour hot cream over the chocolate chips and allow it to sit for 5 minutes. Then, whisk until smooth. Add in peppermint extract and stir to fully incorporate.
3.
Cover mixture with foil or plastic wrap and place in refrigerator until truffle mixture becomes firm (about 6 hours or overnight).
4.
Place a piece of parchment paper onto a large plate or cookie sheet and set aside.
5.
Place the crushed peppermints on a plate or a cutting board.
6.
Remove truffle mixture from the refrigerator. Using a teaspoon, or a melon baller, scoop out small balls of chocolate. Roll each carefully in your hand until it resembles a misshapen little ball (these should not be perfectly round, they are supposed to resemble real truffles).
7.
Immediately roll each truffle in the crushed peppermint and place on prepared baking sheet. Cover truffles and place them in the refrigerator until firm.

Tips

• If truffles begin to soften, pop them back into the fridge until you are ready to serve.
• These truffles can be made a couple of weeks in advance and refrigerated. Or make them, a couple of months in advance and freeze in a Ziplock freezer bag.
• Don't like mint? Swap out the peppermint extract for your favorite extract or liquor and your favorite nut for the peppermint candies.
• These make great hostess/teacher/babysitter gifts. Simply package these in cellophane bags and tie with a pretty bow. Just be sure to refrigerate until you are ready to give them to someone.