Caring Foodie: Oreo Truffles (Fish, Nut and Egg-Free, Can Be Wheat, Soy and Milk-Free)

NOTICE

At the time of publication, all recipes were free of the allergens listed as being free of in the title (i.e. soy-free, milk-free, etc.), and all other information shared was accurate to the best of my knowledge.
Though I strive to update outdated information quickly and work diligently to make sure you have the most accurate information possible at all times, it is your duty to double check labels EVERY TIME to ensure that the ingredients you use are SAFE FOR YOU. DO NOT RELY SOLELY ON THIS INFORMATION AS INGREDIENTS AND INFORMATION DO CHANGE. Your doctor or allergist should also be your first go-to for information on how to handle your medical needs. That being said, if you DO notice an error, please send me an email letting me know (tell me what page or recipe the error is on, what the error is, etc.), and I will correct the error ASAP. Thank you so much!
Please Be Advised:I make sure all of my recipes use foods that are free of the allergens they say they are free of. You will need to do the same. For help with this, please see the appropriate "Alternative Names" page for the allergen(s) you need the recipe free of.

Friday, December 13, 2019

Oreo Truffles (Fish, Nut and Egg-Free, Can Be Wheat, Soy and Milk-Free)

Every December, I make some goodies for our neighbors, our Pastor's family and our Youth Pastor's family. It's my way of showing love and kindness to them as well as showing them that we appreciate them. This year, I made these lovely yummies - Oreo Truffles.

These little nuggets of deliciousness contain just 4 ingredients (5 if you count what is sprinkled on top), and super easy to do! I am going to give you the basic recipe (that's the one that is fish, nut and egg-free (if all your ingredients are)), and then give you some variation ideas that can be more allergy-friendly (those will be the ones that are wheat, soy and milk-free) or even a little less allergy-friendly (i.e. contains peanut or tree nuts). The combinations are limitless! You are sure to find something to please everyone on your Christmas list, for sure!

{This recipe is an adaptation of this recipe.}

Oreo Truffles

1 package (14.3 oz. to 15.25 oz. size) Original Oreo Cookies

(Here's a link to these cookies so you know which ones I mean.)

1 (8 oz. size) block of cream cheese

(We recommend Philadelphia brand cream cheese, but we've also used Happy Farms brand cream cheese from Aldi)

16 - 24 oz. allergy-friendly semi-sweet chocolate chips

(We recommend Enjoy Life chocolate chips or Nestle Simply Delicious chocolate chips.)

2 - 3 teaspoons extra virgin olive oil

sprinkles (optional)

1. In a food processor or blender, blend the Oreo cookies until they are a fine crumb as pictured below.

2. Using a mixer (stand or hand), blend the cream cheese a bit and then pour in the Oreo crumbs and blend until well blended. (Note: The texture will remind you of play-dough.)

3. Line a large cookie sheet with parchment paper.

4. Roll the "dough" into small balls and place on the parchment-lined cookie sheet. (Note: You should get between 42 and 48 balls.)

4. Place the balls into the freezer for at least 10 minutes to firm up. (Note: I think these balls dip better if you freeze them for 20 to 30 minutes vs. 10 minutes, but 10 minutes is definitely sufficient. You can also freeze them overnight, if desired.)

5. While the truffle filling is freezing or after it has been 10 minutes or whenever you are ready to dip them, get your double boiler ready. (Note: Keep your truffle balls in the freezer until the chocolate is ready. You can also melt the chocolate in the microwave, but I think you are less likely to scorch the chocolate using a double boiler.)

{You can make a double boiler using a pot filled about halfway with water with a metal bowl sitting on top of it. Super easy and very effective! See the picture below for reference.}

6. Over medium heat, melt your chocolate with the oil until it looks like the picture below. (Note: I find that 16 oz. (2 Cups) of chocolate is normally not quite enough to dip all the truffles, so I suggest using the 24 oz. (3 Cups). The amount of oil you use is based on how many ounces of chocolate you use. If you use 16 oz. (2 Cups) of chocolate, use 2 teaspoons of oil. If you use 24 oz. (3 Cups) of chocolate, use 3 teaspoons of oil. If you use 20 oz. (2 1/2 Cups) of chocolate, you can either use 2 1/2 teaspoons of oil or 3 teaspoons of oil. If you don't want to add oil, you can leave it out, but your chocolate will be thicker and the truffles will be harder to dip. You will probably need more chocolate, too. You can also use candy melts, but you would not need to add oil if using those. (I'm not a fan or candy melts, but if they fit into your dietary needs and you like them, feel free.))

7. Take your truffle centers out of the freezer and dip them one by one into the melted chocolate. (Note: The easiest way to dip the truffles is to skewer them and then spoon over the melted chocolate. See the pictures below for reference.)

8. After dipping your truffle centers, place the balls back onto the parchment and either sprinkle them with sprinkles while they are still wet or leave them plain, whichever is your preference. (Note: The easiest way to get the truffles off the skewer is to use a toothpick and press between the tongs. You can touch up the chocolate with a toothpick once the truffle is off the skewer. See pictures below for reference.)

9. Place the truffles back into the freezer until the chocolate is hardened.

10. Once the chocolate hardens, you can just store these truffles in the fridge until ready to serve or enjoy immediately.

Makes 42 to 48 truffles.

Variations (Please keep your individual dietary needs in mind when using variations):

Wheat-Free: Use 14.3 to 15.25 oz. box of gluten-free crunchy, gluten-free cookie of choice to replace the Oreo cookies and make the recipe as directed. Enjoy Life makes several to choose from that are very allergy-friendly! Crunchy-style cookies are key for these to turn out properly, so do not sub soft baked cookies for the Oreos.
Soy-Free: Use 14.3 to 15.25 oz. box of soy-free crunchy cookie of choice to replace the Oreo cookies, make sure your chocolate chips are soy-free (Enjoy Life chocolate chips or Nestle Simply Delicious chocolate chips both are), and make the recipe as directed. Enjoy Life makes several to choose from that are very allergy-friendly! Crunchy-style cookies are key for these to turn out properly, so do not sub soft baked cookies for the Oreos.
Milk-Free: Use a dairy-free cream cheese substitute for the cream cheese (Daiya makes one), make sure your chocolate chips are soy-free(Enjoy Life chocolate chips or Nestle Simply Delicious chocolate chips both are), and make the recipe as directed.
Top 8 Free: Use 14.3 to 15.25 oz. box of Enjoy Life crunchy cookies of choice, Daiya brand cream cheeze, and Enjoy Life chocolate chips or Nestle Simply Delicious chocolate chips (Nestle Simply Delicious also makes a white chocolate and a dark chocolate) and make the recipe as directed. Note that Daiya does have coconut in it, so if you are allergic to that, this recipe will not work for you. Also, crunchy-style cookies are key for these to turn out properly, so do not sub soft baked cookies for the Oreos.
Flavors Galore: The flavors you can make are absolutely endless! You can use any Oreo or crunchy-style cookie of choice (chocolate chip, double chocolate, sugar cookies, ginger snap, etc. - as long as they are crunchy style), any chocolate or coating you wish (white chocolate, dark chocolate, milk chocolate, peanut butter chips, butterscotch chips, etc.), and top it with any type of decorative topping you wish (candy cane, sprinkles, chocolate or other flavor drizzle, chopped nuts, coconut, etc.). Here are just a few you can try:

Mint Oreo cookies dipped in white chocolate and sprinkled with crushed candy cane.

Peanut Butter Oreo cookies dipped in peanut butter chips and drizzled with semi-sweet chocolate. (Note: Let the peanut butter layer harden first before adding the semi-sweet chocolate drizzle.)