Buttercream Candies

Total Time: 3 hrs Preparation Time: 1 hr Cook Time: 2 hrs

Ingredients

• 1/2 cup butter, softened (no substitutes)
• 1 (3 ounce) package cream cheese, softened
• 1 1/2 teaspoons vanilla extract or 1 1/2 teaspoons almond extract or 1 1/2 teaspoons orange extract or 1 1/2 teaspoons rum extract
• 4 cups powdered sugar
• 1 (12 ounce) package semi-sweet chocolate chips (2 cups, use a good quality brand)
• 2 tablespoons shortening (unflavored)

Recipe

• 1 filling:.
• 2 combine butter and cream cheese in a large bowl and beat at medium speed until smooth.
• 3 add vanilla and continue beating until mixed well.
• 4 reduce speed to low and gradually add all of the powdered sugar and blend well.
• 5 roll mixture into 1-inch balls and place onto waxed or parchment paper - lined cookie sheets. cover loosely and refrigerate until firm. (2 hours or overnight)**** if dough is too soft to handle, refrigerate it for about an hour or until it's firm enough to roll into balls.
• 6 for coating: in a 1 quart saucepan or double broiler, melt chocolate chips and shortening over low heat, stirring constantly, until smooth. remove from heat and keep warm.
• 7 poke a toothpick into each buttercream and dip buttercreams into chocolate mixture, let excess drip off, and placed onto parchment/waxed paper - lined cookie sheets and refrirgerate until coating sets. (at least 1/2 hour)remove toothicks and serve.
• 8 store refrigerated. cook time is chill time.