With less than two weeks to go until Christmas, the hustle and bustle of the season is ramping up, and it’s becoming harder to find the time to fit in all of the shopping, get-togethers, and other activities going on this time of year. Enter these truffles, which are probably one of the easiest things you’ll make for your cookie and dessert trays! Most of the time required to make these is inactive refrigeration time, so you can go about other tasks while you’re waiting. They also make excellent host/hostess gifts; just package them up in a pretty little box and you have the perfect thoughtful, homemade gift – and you only need a few because they’re so rich. Give these a try, and enjoy a little extra time to yourself!

• 1/2 cup heavy cream
• 1/3 cup sugar
• 1/8 tsp vanilla, orange, or mint extract (optional)
• 6 ounces 99% cacao chocolate, cut into chunks
• Sprinkles, crushed peppermints, powdered sugar, cocoa powder, nuts, sea salt, etc. for coating

Stir the sugar into the cream until dissolved. Combine the cream and chocolate in a double boiler and melt over medium heat, or melt in a bowl in the microwave 30 seconds at a time.

Stir in the extract, if using. Pour the ganache into a cool bowl and let refrigerate 1-2 hours or until firm.

Roll the ganache into 1″ balls, and then roll in the desired coatings. Return the coated truffles to the refrigerator to firm up again. That’s it!