Chai Tea Truffles

What is better than a nice steaming hot cup of Chai Tea?  I will tell you what is better, a steaming hot cup of Chai Tea with a Chai Tea truffle!  Our school counselor from a few years back gave us these scrumptious little bites of pure joy along with a Chai Tea bag.  It was so sweet and thoughtful and delicious.  I had to have the recipe.  She found the recipe in the Kansas City Star.  My daughter and I set out to find the recipe with the help of Google.  We make these delights at least three times a year. The recipe is forgiving. If you do not like a particular spice, then just leave it out.  We do not use fennel because it is not our favorite spice.  They are still delicious.  Also, you can substitute Almond Bark for the white chocolate if you don't like white chocolate.  I love recipes that can be modified to our own particular taste buds!!  I hope this recipe will be one that you can make with your family as you make special memories together this holiday season!  

 

1/2 tsp. cardamon

1/8 tsp. cloves

1/4 tsp. fennel

1/2 tsp. cinnamon

1/8 tsp. ginger

1/8 tsp. star anise

1 Chai tea bag

Pinch of Nutmeg

1 18oz. vanilla sandwich cookies

1 8 oz softened bar of cream cheese

1 lb. white baking chocolate

 

Mix all the spices together and set aside.  In large mixing bowl, add 1 tbsp. of the above spice mixture along with the cream cheese and crumbled cookies.  The cookies needed to be crushed.  I use my food processor.  Get the cookies as fine as you can.  Once you mix the cookies, cream cheese and spices, make 1" balls.  Place the balls on wax paper and refrigerate for about 15 min.  Right before you take the balls out of the fridge, melt your chocolate.  You want to do this right before you are ready to dip the balls or your chocolate will seize up on you.  Make sure not to overcook your chocolate, or again, it will seize up on you and it is really difficult to fix when that happens.  We have had it happen and have fixed it with a little butter.  Anyway, back to the recipe.  Take your truffles out of the fridge and dip them in the chocolate.  Return them to fridge for an hour.  These make excellent gifts.  Wrap them in clear bags along with some tea bags and tie with raffia, jute or ribbon.  Enjoy!