Easy Chocolate Truffles

Skip the candy store this Valentine's Day- try giving your loved ones homemade chocolate truffles!  I got this recipe from the Hershey's website. You can always play with variations, like replacing half the vanilla with your favorite liqueur.

Ingredients:
3/4 cup (1 1/2 sticks) butter- no substitutions!
3/4 cup cocoa powder
1 can (14 oz) sweetened condensed milk
1 tablespoon vanilla extract
Cocoa/chopped nuts for topping

Directions:

1. Melt the butter in a large pan on low heat.  Add cocoa powder, stir until smooth. 
2. Add condensed milk and increase heat to medium.  Cook, stirring constantly, about four minutes, until smooth and glossy.
3. Remove from heat, stir in vanilla extract. Cover and refrigerate 3-4 hours, until firm.
4. Scoop out teaspoons of chocolate and roll into small balls.  Roll the balls in cocoa powder or chopped nuts.  Refrigerate 1-2 hours, until firm.  Store in refrigerate until ready to serve.

Notes: Makes about 3 dozen truffles. I got the mini foil cups at Michael's craft store.

Chocolate Almond Bark

This is an easy microwave recipe that makes a great dessert or snack.  It's best to keep these chilled in the refrigerator until you're ready to eat them.

Ingredients:
1 cup whole almonds
1 teaspoon butter, softened
1 pound chocolate chips

Directions:
1. Place the almonds and butter in an 8 inch glass pan.  Cook in the microwave for 4-5 minutes, stirring at least twice, until almonds are toasted. Set the glass pan aside.

2. Place chocolate chips in a large microwave safe bowl and cook for 2-3 minutes, until softened.  Stir in the almonds and pour onto a baking sheet lined with wax paper.

3. Use a spatula to spread the mixture to the desired thickness.  You can also try placing another sheet of wax paper on top and using a rolling pin to level out the mixture.  Refrigerate a few hours or overnight, until hardened.  Chop up the bark into small pieces.