Dark Chocolate Truffles

In a 2-qt. saucepan cook and stir chocolate and cream cheese over low until melted (mixture will be thick and slightly grainy). Remove from heat. Stir in vanilla. Transfer to a bowl. Cover and chill 1 to 1 1/2 hours or just until firm.

Step 2

Shape mixture into 1-inch balls. Roll in desired coatings. Some examples of desired coatings: Cocoa-Ancho Coating: Roll balls in 2 Tbsp. unsweetened cocoa powder and sprinkle lightly with ground ancho chile pepper. Almond Coating: Roll balls in 1/2 cup ground toasted almonds. Coconut Coating: Roll balls in 1/2 cup finely shredded unsweetened coconut. Chocolate Coating: Dip balls in 8 ounces melted dark chocolate and place on a waxed paper-lined tray. Sprinkle with sea salt flakes. Let stand until set. Peanut Butter Coating: Combine 3 ounces melted white baking chocolate and 1 Tbsp. peanut butter. Place balls on a waxed paper-lined tray and drizzle with peanut butter mixture. Let stand until set. Store, covered, in the refrigerator up to 1 week.