Nutter Butter Truffles

Total Time: 2 hrs 15 mins Preparation Time: 1 hr 30 mins Cook Time: 45 mins

Ingredients

• 1 (10 1/2 ounce) package nutter butter sandwich cookies or 1 (10 1/2 ounce) package other cream-filled peanut butter cookies
• 4 ounces cream cheese, softened to room temperature
• 1/2 cup peanut butter, creamy or 1/2 cup crunchy peanut butter
• 8 ounces chocolate-flavored candy coating
• 1/4 cup coarsely chopped peanuts (optional)

Recipe

• 1 place the cookies in a food processor and pulse them until they are fine crumbs. alternately, you can use a mixer if you watch it carefully and stir the cookies so that they are evenly crushed.
• 2 transfer the cookie crumbs to a medium bowl. add the softened cream cheese and peanut butter, and stir with a spoon until the mixture is a homogenous paste. it should be easy to mold into balls, but not too wet or soggy.
• 3 use a small candy or cookie scoop, or a teaspoon, to shape small balls. roll them between your hands to get them perfectly round, and place on a cookie sheet covered with aluminum foil. although the balls can be dipped right away, they hold together better if they are refrigerated for at least an hour before being dipped.
• 4 after the candy centers have chilled, place the chocolate candy coating in a large microwave-safe bowl and microwave it until melted, stirring after every minute to prevent overheating.
• 5 using dipping tools or a fork, dip each peanut ball in the chocolate candy coating and replace it on the foil-covered baking sheet. if desired, top the truffles with chopped peanuts while the chocolate is still wet.
• 6 refrigerate the truffles to set the chocolate for about 20 minutes. store nutter butter truffles in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to two weeks.