Fadedwords

I got invited to dinner at my friends’ house last night and wanted to make something to bring with me.  I was searching for something Valentine-y and found Bakerella’s website.  Perhaps I should’ve been on to this wonderful blog prior to now considering my love of baking.  She has very creative and beautiful ideas.  I will say that my baked goods taste great, but I’ve never made anything as pretty as she has!  In any case I decided to try to make red velvet cake balls.

Red Velvet Cake Balls
1 box red velvet cake mix (cook as directed on box for 13 X 9 cake)
1 can cream cheese frosting (16 oz.)
1 package chocolate bark (regular or white chocolate)
wax paper

1. After cake is cooked and cooled completely, crumble into large bowl.  (pretend there is a picture of this!)

2. Mix thoroughly with 1 can cream cheese frosting. (I used my kitchenaid stand mixer for this, but you could use your fingers.  It’s very messy… this is the bowl after I’d made quite a few balls).

3. Roll mixture into quarter size balls and lay on cookie sheet. (Should make 45-50. You can get even more if you use a mini ice cream scooper, but I rolled mine by hand.)

4. Chill for several hours. (You can speed this up by putting in the freezer.)  **Truly adhere to this.  If they are not fully set they will fall apart in the chocolate.

5. Melt chocolate in microwave per directions on package.

6. Roll balls in chocolate and lay on wax paper until firm. (Use a spoon to dip and roll in chocolate and then tap off extra.)

I do not like the toothpick holes in mine, and will have to come up with a better dipping system next time, or turn them in to lollipops.

I also made buckeyes!

1lb peanut butter
1 and 1/2 pound confectioner sugar
1 and a 1/2 teaspoons of milk
2 sticks butter (Softened)
1 bag chocolate chips
1 tablespoon shortening

1. Cream together peanut butter and butter until smooth.
2. Add milk and confectioner sugar.  Mix until fully combined.  (consistency should be like play dough)
3. Roll into balls (whatever size you like), and insert toothpicks.
4. Melt chocolate and shortening together either in a double boiler or in the microwave.
5.  Dip balls in chocolate, leaving about 1/3 uncovered.
6. Let set in refrigerator.

It took me 3 different recipes to find one that actually came out right with these.  Everyone who has had them has loved them.  I’ve even been hired to make them for a friend’s son’s wedding!