Christmas Chocolate Truffles

These are some truffles I made and decorated with a Christmas theme, since it is getting close to Christmastime. I call them double trouble chocolate truffles because they contain two additions of chocolate - chocolate chips and cocoa. They are certainly very rich and a chocoholic's dream, especially if coated with a chocolate coating. The chocolate chips could be altered - milk chocolate chips for a milder truffle and dark chocolate chips for a dark chocolate truffle. 

Double Trouble Chocolate Truffles
3/4 cup unsalted butter
1 cup semi-sweet chocolate chips
1/2 cup unsweetened cocoa powder
1 can (300mL) sweetened condensed milk
1 Tablespoon vanilla extract
coating

In a medium saucepan over medium heat, melt the butter and chips, stirring until smooth. Stir in the cocoa. Turn heat to low and stir in the milk. Beat for about four minutes, until mixture is thick, shiny, and glossy. Remove from heat and stir in vanilla. Transfer mixture to a shallow bowl and refrigerate for at least two hours. Roll into balls, then roll into desired coating.

Coating options: sprinkles, sugar, icing sugar, colored sugar, coconut, cocoa, chopped nuts, chocolate chips, cookie crumbs, cracker/wafer crumbs, pretzel pieces, crushed candy canes, no coating.

For Christmas truffles: Use red and green colored sugar, or colored Christmas sprinkles, as well as coconut or icing sugar for snowballs, and crushed candy canes if desired. A drop of mint extract along with the vanilla may also be nice.