Best Chocolate Dipped Vanilla Creams Recipes

CHOCOLATE COVERED CANDY CREAMS & OTHER STUFF

Steps:

• 1. soften cream cheese in microwave -- don't melt, simply soften -- about 30 seconds
• 2. begin to add powdered sugar by cup fulls -- work into cream cheese until it gets to be like a firm batter -- play dough would be a good example of the consistency you are looking for -- and you will end up having to do it with your hands
• 3. separate the ball into as many different flavors as you would like to make -- I used to make at least 4 or 5 at a time. (Suggested flavors that people liked: vanilla, almond, mint, anise, chocolate, rum, cherry, orange, lemon, etc -- whatever you have in your cupboard or desire to purchase for this project.)
• 4. To Flavor: make a deep thumb print in one of the balls and put in a drop or 2 of coloring and a tsp of flavoring -- begin working the ball with your hands until the color is smoothly distributed -- add more powdered sugar to bring back to workable dough that is not sticky. (I liked the colors to be pastel which I always thought were more appetizing so I never added more than 1 or 2 drops of food coloring -- you may do as much as you want.)
• 5. After each ball is colored and flavored I used to decide on a different shape for each flavor so I could tell which ones were which after they were all coated with chocolate. Such as: tiny balls for one flavor, little squares for another, oblong balls for another, rectangles for another, flattened balls for another, etc.
• 6. Slowly & carefully melt chocolate on low heat on stove top (or in microwave if you are comfortable with that -- I like the stove top because I have more control over the process) -- then dip each ball or shape into the chocolate and place on waxed paper covered cookie sheets. They will harden very quickly. I did not like to get my hands all chocolate covered so I always used a spoon to dip, and roll in the chocolate, then scoop out and place on waxed paper.
• 7. After I had made these over the years, I also began to experiment with chocolate coating things that were already made (I was getting lazy LOL). One of my most favorite things was to chocolate coat gum drops. Candy manufacturers used to make chocolate covered "jellies" which I always loved... but they began to disappear over the years... gum drops were a perfect solution for someone who missed them!!
• 8. I also found that I could chocolate coat dried pineapple, or mix peanuts with the chocolate to make little peanut heaps. We used to make "hay stacks" by dumping those hard canned Chinese noodles into chocolate and making little stacks. My sister used to like a Chunky candy bar and we made our own with peanuts and raisins in chocolate dropped by spoonfulls on waxed paper.
• 9. Other people like to coat pretzels and crackers and cookies... once you get started with chocolate coating things you will find lots of individual and unique ways to make Christmas gifts that your friends will get from no other source. They will be clamoring for your home made creations. Enjoy!

BUTTERCREAM CANDIES

Steps:

• In the bowl of a stand mixer with a paddle attachment (or in a large bowl using a handheld mixer), beat the butter until creamy (about 2 minutes).
• Add the confectioners' sugar. Beat on low for about a minute. Add the milk, vanilla, almond extract, and pinch of salt. Beat on high until smooth and creamy (about 3 minutes).
• Cover the bowl with plastic wrap and place the buttercream mixture in the refrigerator to chill for one hour, up to 24 hours.
• When ready, line a baking sheet with parchment paper and remove the chilled buttercream from the refrigerator.
• Scoop out the buttercream with a one tablespoon scoop and roll it into a ball. Place it on the parchment-lined baking sheet. Repeat with the remaining buttercream. (If the mixture gets too sticky, add some confectioners' sugar to your hands.)
• Place the balls of buttercream in the refrigerator to chill for another hour, up to 24 hours.
• In the last few minutes of chilling the buttercream balls, melt the chocolate. Add the chocolate pieces and oil to a microwave-safe bowl. Heat in 20-second increments, stirring after every 20 seconds, until the chocolate is melted and creamy. Let it sit for about 5 minutes to cool before dipping the buttercream balls.
• Remove the buttercream balls from the refrigerator. Working one at a time, gently drop the balls into the melted chocolate, making sure they are completely covered in chocolate.
• Using a fork, lift out the chocolate-covered buttercream. Use a toothpick or another fork to slide the buttercream candy onto the parchment-lined baking sheet.
• Drizzle the remaining chocolate over the candies. Place in the refrigerator for about 30 minutes, or until the chocolate has set.
• Store candies in the refrigerator in an airtight container for up to 2 weeks.

CHOCOLATE DIPPED CREAMS

Steps:

• Preheat the oven to 375℉ (190℃). Cream the butter with the sugar. Add the vanilla. Sift the flour, cornstarch and salt together. Stir the dry ingredients into the butter mixture. Chill the dough for about one hour. Shape teaspoons of the dough into balls. Place on greased cookie sheets. Bake the cookies about 12 minutes or until set and lightly brown on the bottom. Remove to a rack and cool. Roll cookies in powdered sugar. Dip tops in melted chocolate and then in nuts, sugars, or jimmies. Allow the chocolate to set. Makes about 3 dozen cookies. (Original recipe is from Christmas Cooky Book, Wisconsin Electric Power Company (1971).

CHOCOLATE SANDWICH COOKIES WITH VANILLA-CREAM FILLING

Steps:

• Set 2 racks in the middle and upper third of the oven and preheat to 375 degrees. In a food processor or the bowl of an electric mixer, thoroughly mix together the flour, cocoa, baking soda, baking powder, salt and sugar. While pulsing or on low speed, add the butter, then the egg. Process or beat until the dough is thoroughly blended and massed together. Drop rounded teaspoons of batter onto nonstick or parchment-lined cookie sheets at 2-inch intervals. With moistened fingers, round out the cookies and flatten them a little. Bake for 9 minutes, turning the pans once for even baking, until the cookies are set. Set the cookie sheets on a rack to cool.
• Vanilla-Cream Filling: Put the butter and shortening in a mixing bowl and, at low speed, gradually beat in the confectioners' sugar and vanilla, until blended. Turn the mixer up to high and beat for 2 or 3 minutes more, until fluffy.
• With a pastry bag fitted with a 1/2-inch tip, pipe teaspoon size blobs of filling onto the tops of half the cookies. Keeping the smooth bottoms of the cookies facing up, flip the remaining cookies on top of the filling and lightly press to form sandwiches.

COCONUT CREME CHOCOLATES

Steps:

• In a large bowl, mix marshmallow creme, coconut, vanilla and salt until blended. Refrigerate, covered, at least 1 hour., Shape mixture into 1-in. balls. Place on a waxed paper-lined baking sheet. Refrigerate, covered, at least 3 hours., In a microwave, melt chocolate and shortening; stir until smooth. Dip coconut balls in chocolate; allow excess to drip off. Place on waxed paper; let stand until set.

CHOCOLATE DIPPED VANILLA CREAMS

Steps:

• 1. Chop Candy Melts (you can use a food processor). Heat whipping cream in saucepan just to boiling point. Do not boil. Remove from heat and add chopped Candy Melts, stir until smooth and glossy.
• 2. For Truffles: Add 1 tablespoon liqueur for flavor, at this point, if desired. Stir until smooth and creamy. Refrigerate until firm, roll into 1 in. diameter balls. Can be used as center for dipping, served plain or rolled in nuts, coconut or cocoa powder. Store truffles in refrigerator up to 3 weeks.