Tuesday, December 10, 2013

Truffle Mice - 1st Annual Christmas Cookie Exchange

Maybe it's Christmas magic but for some reason, the humble mouse takes on a special charm around the holidays. These often maligned little creatures suddenly appear everywhere in various Yuletide incarnations; stores brim with mice ornaments decked in holiday finery, mice star as charming characters in holiday books and their likeness is even made into culinary treats.
So when I was lucky enough to be included in The Everyday Home's 1st Annual Cookie exchange to share a  holiday cookie recipe, I immediately thought of these sweet confections inspired by our furry friends.  
There are hundreds of sweet "mice" treat recipes online in a variety of delicious styles and flavors. I simply adapted a classic truffle, popping on almond ears, a tail and friendly face. Though perhaps technically not a cookie, but seeming more than a candy, truffles are an easy and festive addition to your holiday treat repertoire. There are dozens of basic truffle recipes, I adapted mine from this version from the the Cook Republic, increasing the amount of coconut for easier modeling.

White Chocolate Coconut Mouse Truffles
for the truffles
1 1/2 cup Coconut Flakes*
1 cup white Chocolate chips (or bars, broken up)
1/2 cup Heavy Cream
1 teaspoon vanilla extract
(coconut or almond extract works too)
extra coconut for rolling
for the accents
slivered almonds
colorful string licorice 
(the string variety wasn't unavailable at my store
so I cut regular twizzlers to size)
mini chocolate chips
sprinkles
Truffles are best stored in the refrigerator until ready to enjoy or give away.
Melt white chocolate and cream over low heat, stirring occasionally until smooth. 
Add vanilla extract and remove pot from heat to cool slightly. 
Add coconut flakes, stirring well and chill in refrigerator until firm (about an hour)
*I quickly ground coconut in my mini food processor to create a finer, fluffier consistency 
(sometimes shredded coconut can be a bit stringy)
Once firm, scoop out a spoonful of truffle mixture and roll in plain coconut forming mouse shaped bodies. (Add more coconut if necessary to retain shape or if truffle mixture becomes too sticky). Add slivered almonds for ears. 
I placed my mice in mini paper baking cups for easy handling and gifting.
Pop on mini chip eyes, a sprinkle nose and licorice tails. 
You may need to reshape mice as you go.
These treats are fun to display with other sweets or fruit. 
A whimsical accent is "pound cake" cheese. 
Simply slice a wedge of your favorite store bought or homemade pound cake (lemon adds an authentic yellow hue) and form holes in different sizes with a melon baller, straw or cocktail stirrer.

A Sweet Gift
Charming packaging turns these into a sweet holiday gift. 
Simply add your own label to craft store treat boxes or tins and pop on a ribbon. 
 I created this label using images from the The Graphics Fairy and The Old Design Shop.
Line a candy box with wax paper and pop in mice and a mini pound cake "cheese"

Variations on a Theme
Not a fan of rodents? Truffles also make fun snowman: using black licorice for arms, orange licorice for a nose and mini chocolate chip buttons or...
Pressed for time? Simply roll mixture in coconut and pop in a fun snowflake liner for easy truffle "snowballs".


These are such an easy and versatile treat.
 Using different extracts or flavorings, you can adapt them 
to different occasions.
Looking for a more grown up version? 
Try a Guiness and Bailey's Irish Cream truffle 
(I made some for St. Patrick's Day) 
or 
 lavender chocolate version for an afternoon tea.


Also On the Cookie Tour Today!
And for even more fun cookie recipes check out the rest of the 1st Annual Cookie Exchange featuring a week's worth of sweet treats perfect for the holidays.
simply click cookie schedule, check out a great pecan cranberry recipe and then and scroll down for links.



36 comments:

  1. These are so precious! Beautifully done,
    Kathy

    ReplyDelete
  2. Oh my yum! I love coconut! And you're recipe not to mention those adorable pics have my mouth watering. Thanks for the recipe!
    cheers

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Thanks Therese!
      I just love anything coconut too- Thanks for visiting and for your kind words :)

      Delete
  3. Christina, yum! These are stunning and almost too cute to eat! Love your little helpers too! Pinning and sharing. ~Jeanette

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Thanks so much Jeanette!
      These were lots of fun to make :) So glad you liked my little kitchen helpers and thanks for visitinnt and Pinning!

      Delete
  4. These mice are almost too cute to eat! My neighbors will love them as a part of a cookie tray that I always make. Thanks for sharing your recipe with us.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Thanks Paula!
      I made some for a cookie exchange one Christmas and they are fun on a cookie tray- even one or two as an accent
      Cheers :)

      Delete
  5. These are so cute, particularly served with "cheese." I love a good truffle recipe, and I certainly think it counts as a cookie for Christmas. Thanks for sharing.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Thanks so much!
      I admit I'm not the best cookie maker but love sweets - so these are an easy treat!
      Cheers :)

      Delete
  6. The word is CUTE-CUTE-CUTE! How darling! Believe me, I will print this out - so clever!

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Thanks so much Bernideen!
      These are so simple to make- hope you have fun with them :)

      Delete
  7. Oh, so cute!!... but Ratatouille is in your house? Hugs :D

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Thanks so much-
      Yes it's Ratatouille- hahah!
      Cheers :)

      Delete
  8. I've never made truffles before and yours are so clever! I want to try these - thanks for the inspirations. (Found you on The Dedicated House-anything Blue).
    http://xoxograndma.blogspot.com/

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Thanks so much Joy!
      I love the Dedicated House--
      These are very easy -I hope you give them a try- what a cute blog name you have- I'll pop over for a visit :)
      Cheers!

      Delete
  9. Mmmmm ... I love truffles ... the mice are so cute! I like the little snowman even better ;) Thanks for sharing the recipe. Wendy x

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Thanks so much- I have a friend who's afraid of mice so I thought i better have a plan b with the snowman
      Cheers!

      Delete
  10. Christina, my granddaughters would love making these! I can't wait until they get here. I also love the way you've packaged them for gift-giving! Definitely pinning and sharing these cute things!

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Thanks Jane!
      How fun- I hope your granddaughters enjoy making them!-
      A disclaimer - they do get a little messy haha
      and if they are too sticky make sure to add as much coconut as you need :)
      Cheers

      Delete
  11. This is just the most creative cookie/truffle! Your mice get the cutest prize! This is a "must-try" for me. Thanks for all the great tips included, like the cheese!

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Thanks Yvonne!
      My cats seemed to take an interest in them lol
      So glad you enjoyed the recipe
      Cheers!

      Delete
  12. Christina,
    Your mice are adorable! I love the little gift box with the 3 mice and slice of pound cake cheese. You are so creative!

    Merry Christmas, my friend, and Joyeux Noël,

    Judith

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Thanks Judith!
      These were such fun- I'm not the best cookie baker so I opted for oven free treats :)

      Joyeux Noel!

      Delete
  13. Those little mice look so cute, will have to try out your recipe and make me some micey treats! Thanks for your kind comment on my blog.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Thanks so much!
      So glad I stumbled on your blog! Is there anything cuter than sock monkeys? :)

      Delete
  14. Oh! How cute are those! So much better than real mice. :)

    Happy day to you friend!
    karianne

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. LOL! Thanks Karianne
      Yes, you're so right- real mice might not have gone over so well :)
      Cheers!

      Delete
  15. So adroable! Funny what you say about the mice...they DO show up all cute and festive around the holidays! Visting today from the Etsy Cottage Style party. New to your blog, I am going to take a peek around! Happy Holidays!
    Roselle

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Thanks so much Roselle,
      These are so easy to make- So glad you popped over for a visit- Happy Holidays!
      Cheers

      Delete
  16. These are so cute and look delish! Love the Snowmen and would love to try them with Baileys!! Yumm!!
    Merry Christmas!
    *hugs*deb

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Thanks Deb!
      The baileys are pretty yummy - and St Patrick's is right around the corner! :)

      Delete
  17. Thanks for your nice comment on my owning a hedgehog post! Also, I love these mice. I am a cheese lover and think these are so cute!

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Thanks so much! Yes, I am so jealous that you have a hedgehog :)

      Delete

Love to hear your comments and suggestions! Because of excessive spam we are currently asking for that pesky word verification