Yuletide Youtube and Wednesday Noms

Rum Balls
2 c. vanilla wafer crumbs
2 c. sifted powdered sugar
3 Tbsp. cocoa
1/2 c. dark rum or 1/4 c. rum and 1/4 c. water
3 Tbsp. white Karo syrup
1 c. chopped nuts

Sift sugar and cocoa. Mix with vanilla wafer crumbs. Mix rum and syrup; add to crumbs. Add chopped nuts. Mix together until blended. Pinch off small pieces of dough; form balls and roll in sifted powdered sugar until covered. Store in tin containers. Aging improves flavor.



Chocolate Truffles
1/4 c. whipping cream
2 Tbsp. Grand Marnier liqueur
6 oz. sweet chocolate, broken
4 Tbsp. sweet butter, softened
unsweetened cocoa
Boil cream until reduced to 2 Tbsp. Remove from heat, stir in liqueur and chocolate. Return to heat until chocolate melts. Whisk in softened butter. When smooth, pour into shallow bowl. Refrigerate until firm, 1 hour. Scoop chocolate up with tsp. Shape into 1" balls. Roll in cocoa. Use cool working area, and store in refrigerator. Let stand at room temperature 30 minutes before serving. Other liqueurs: Kahlua, Framboise or amaretto.