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Monday, December 5, 2011

Thin Mint Truffles and a Video

My sister, Jenny, came and visited me over the weekend. She's my best friend and she lives SO far away, in Dallas. (Texas is so lucky!) Anyways, her love for mint and chocolate is almost as great as my love for  peanut butter and chocolate.

Thin Mint Truffles


I wanted to make a goodie that she would enjoy to just have around the house for the weekend (bad idea if you like to graze!) and I have had this box of Girl Scout Thin Mints just waiting for me to do something creative with. Plus, since it's almost Christmas, I thought this would be a fun, minty treat. 


I have been making Oreo truffles for years, and this is exactly the same thing, except you use a box of Thin Mints, instead of a package of Oreos.


Jenny and I grew up watching I Love Lucy, and for some reason while I was rolling these, I thought of the episode where Lucy and Ethel worked at the candy factory. I was standing in my kitchen, alone, cracking up.

 Lucy's Famous Chocolate Scene
Now, I have made truffles several times and never thought of that show. But from now until the end of time, when I make truffles, I know that is what I will think of.
And now you will too.
You're welcome.

*Update, I have had several people ask if they can use the Keebler Grasshopper Cookies {which are readily available}instead of the Thin Mint Cookies. Yes, they are the same so you could use those too! :)

Thin Mint Truffles
     makes 24
1 9oz box Girl Scout Thin Mints {Or Keebler's Grasshopper Cookies!}
4 oz fat free cream cheese, slightly softened
8 oz Guittard's green mint chips *
8 oz white chocolate chips or white chocolate bark

In a food processor, pulse the Thin Mints a few times, and them blend them down until they are just crumbs. It might be easier to do this in two batches. Next, mix in the cream cheese and crumbs together in a bowl until well incorporated. Roll the mixture into 1 inch size balls, and place them on a wax paper covered baking sheet. Place the baking sheet in the fridge for about 30 minutes, so the balls are easier to dip in the chocolate and do not fall apart.

Once the truffles have been in the fridge for a while, melt the green mint chips in a double broiler or a microwave safe bowl.

Roll half of the truffles in the green mint chocolate, and place them back on the wax paper. Melt the white chocolate and roll the remaining truffles. Once they have dried a little, place the remaining white chocolate in a small zip lock bag and cut a tiny bit of one corner off the bag. Start small at first, then if you need, make the hole a little larger. Drizzle the white chocolate over the green truffles. Do the same with the mint chocolate over the white truffles.  Place the baking sheet back in the fridge so that the chocolate can set.


You could just use one one type of chocolate for the out side, but I like the contrast in color. Also, the reason I used the mint chips and the white chocolate instead of regular chocolate, is because the Thin Mints are already covered in chocolate.

* I found my mint chips at World Market, but you can also buy them from Amazon.

These would be perfect for a Christmas cookie swap.

These would also be a great green treat for St. Patrick's Day!

Or package them up and give them to your favorite person as a gifty.
I hope you give these a try! If I can do it, anyone can. And with only four ingredients, it won't break the bank. Thanks for coming to visit, Ethel. Love you! xoxo



73 comments:

  1. I am buying some cookies from a friend today so I can try these soon!

    Thanks for sharing,
    Kim
    Southern Flour Girl!

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  2. THIN MINT TRUFFLES? Okay, not only are these beautiful, but OMG WHAT A GOOD IDEA. Sorry if I'm overzealous, but I get excited about good food!

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  3. These look and sound amazing! I love mint! What a fun recipe, thanks for sharing!

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  4. Wow.....that looks so good....love your site.. I will be back...

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  5. i just got some of those mint chips at World Market, now all I need to do is get my hands on the girl scout cookies. I would love to have these to serve at the holidays. Great post. The video is definitely one of my favorite scenes from Lucy!

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  6. These are GORGEOUS! What a perfect Christmas treat. I wish I had some Thin Mints now...sigh.

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    1. Maggie, you could also use the Keebler's Grasshopper Cookies. They are available at Walmart. These would be fun for St. Patrick's Day too! :)

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  7. These look so good! I've always liked minty things but this year I'm obsessed! Love your cooking blog - a real inspiration for my new one on retro recipes!

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  8. This post is absolutely fetish-worthy and I've been inspired to include it in my Friday Food Fetish blog. If you have any objections, please let me know

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  9. That's so cool and cute. Love the green color of those... I bet they are delicious!

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  10. What a fun idea! And so much prettier than just a plain thin mint...

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    1. Thanks so much! These would also be fun for St. Patrick's Day!

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  11. You could probably use Keebler Grasshoppers. Thank you. I'm going to try this next weekend.

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  12. Mint Girl Scout cookies are my favorite cookie, but they are not available at this time.

    SOLUTION: There are some mint cookies in the Dollar Tree stores right now.....taste like GS Mint cookies. They are only $1 a box.

    I swear the cookies at Dollar Tree are made by the same people who make Girl Scout Mint cookies.

    Good luck! I keep a few boxes in my freezer.

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    1. Great idea! You can also use Keebler's Grasshopper Cookies! These would also be perfect for St. Patrick's Day! :)

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  13. I made them! I was sad I couldn't find the green mint chips so i just went with chocolate mint. Also, I didn't have any girl's scout cookies so I bought these Anna thin mints, they worked well. great idea! and simple recipe! love it

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    1. Awesome! Also, you can use Keebler's Grasshopper Cookies if you don't have Girl Scout Cookies on hand. These would also be perfect for St. Patrick's Day!

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  14. Thanks so much for sharing this idea! I tried it with Grasshopper cookies and they turned out to be SOO good!

    http://atleastshestrying.blogspot.com/2011/12/how-to-make-grasshopper-truffles.html

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    1. So awesome! These are also great for St. Patrick's Day! :)

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  15. I am trying them with Andes Mint cookies. Question - since they have cream cheese in them, do they need to stay refrigerated?

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  16. Yes, keeping them refrigerated would be a good idea. Let me know how they turn out; hope you like 'em!

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  17. These look awesome! I'm buying extra Thin Mint cookies next year for this treat. I'm a new follower~found you through Mommy's Kitchen.

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    1. Awesome! You can also use Keebler's Grasshopper Cookies {so you can have these all year round!} They would also be really fun for St. Patrick's Day! :)

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  18. This looks awesome! It is making me hungry! Yum Yum!

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  19. These are the perfect winter cookie truffle:-) I featured them in my Sweet Swap roundup.

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  20. Yours turn out so pretty! Thin mints are my favorite I can hardly wait to try them.
    Thanks for linking up!
    Tammy

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  21. I LOVE thin mints and I can totally taste these just by how awesome they look!

    Do you have a good peanut butter ball recipe? Those are my family's favorite - here's ours:

    1 stick butter, melted/1 cup powdered sugar/1 cup peanut butter/5-6 cups crushed Rice Krispies . . . . Stir sugar and peanut butter into melted butter, add five cups of crushed crispy rice and a sixth cup if needed. Chill overnight, form chilled dough into balls, dip in chocolate, let dry and enJOY!

    Barbara
    The Corner On Character

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  22. great points altogether, you just won a {logo new|a new} reader. What would you recommend about your post that you made a few days ago? Any sure?
    Gates T42020 Idler

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  23. I have made these with the Mint Creme Oreos; they are terrific! I did not know about the green mint chips, though. I just used white almond bark/vanilla candy coating and tinted it green. I will definitely look for the Guittard mint chips. Thanks for posting!

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    1. Yum, I bet those are SO awesome! You can also use Keebler's Grasshopper Cookies if you don't have Girl Scout Cookies on hand. These would also be fun for St. Patrick's Day!

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  24. Amazing! Found ya by chance and I'm so glad I did! I bet these would be awesome served cold (that's how I LOVE my thin mints!). Following along. Have a great week :)

    ~Erika @ southernbelleasanarmywife.blogspot.com

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  25. I love all your recipes and cannot wait to try them. My children already ate up all their thin mints, so I'll try the red velvet brownie truffles instead. Thanks for sharing your recipes with us!

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  26. Yay! I tried making these cake pop style with the mint oreos and it did not go well. I'll definitely be trying it again with these cookies instead. Thanks!

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    1. Awesome! If you don't mind, let me know how it goes. :)

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  27. I love this! My nieces will love these St. Patty's Day treats! Thanks for sharing :D

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  28. I am going to pin these. I love all of your awesome recipe ideas and am your newest follower! I found you through Eat, Pray, Read, Love party and am so glad I did. I love cooking so I can't wait to peruse your other recipes.

    Amy @ Sugar and Spice (amynjesse.com)

    P.S. If you'd like to, I'd love to have you link these up to my Friday linky called "Drab to Fab". We celebrate making things fabulous using a little of our own creativity. If you remember, come on over. Have a great day!

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  29. Thee look beyond amazing! Thanks so much for linking these up to the Recipe Roundup.
    I might have to hunt down a Girl Scout now!

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    1. Thanks Kelli! You can also use Keelber Grasshopper Cookies!

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  30. I've been planning these for a St. Pat's party but found out the World Market's around me don't carry the green mint chips. *sniff* Guess I'm gonna go green food color with white almond bark instead of pay $20 shipping to buy the mint chips online and have them shipped. :) I'm really looking forward to these cause I'm doing a no carb diet and have these planned as my cheat carb meal :D Thanks for the idea!

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    1. No carbs....you are braver than I am. I would DIE! :) Hope you love them. The green food coloring should work great. (I don't think I would pay $20 for shipping either). Happy carb cheating! :)

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  31. I really don't know what to say. I'm in awe of this amazing truffle! Thank you for linking to Foodie Friday! Not Your Ordinary Recipes
    Not Your Ordinary Agent

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  32. I loved your Truffles and I'll repost it! Thanks for sharing!

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  33. How in the world did you get yours to look so pretty?
    I attempted these last week, and I failed miserably with the rolling in the chocolate.. Still tasted amazing though. :) I just need to know the trick of pretty truffles, PLEASE!! :)

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    1. Sadly, I would say it just takes practice. I don't know if this helps, but I drop a truffle in the melted chocolate, then I use a spoon to kind of guide it through the chocolate until it's coated. Then I use the spoon and kind of scrape it up the side of the bowl so that some of the chocolate is left behind, then I drop it onto parchment paper or the cookie sheet. Hmmm, maybe I should have someone take a video of me making these. I hope that makes sense!

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  34. Oh, my! Audrey would love making these! I have not tried anything mint with her yet but she does like peppermint ice cream so this should go over well.

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  35. Thanks for sharing this recipe - I made them and loved them! I blogged about them too this week with a link back to you! Thanks again!
    http://momscrazycooking.blogspot.com/2012/05/this-weeks-cravings-80-mothers-day.html

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    1. Your pictures turned out great! Hope they were yummy.....I kinda want some right now!

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  36. just found this on pinterest and it looks so yummy! would you mind if i shared this with my girl scout troop to encourage cookie sales? thanks for posting!!

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    1. Hey, Kristyn! Of course! Share away, hope they like them!!
      Sorry it took me a while to get back to you! :( Sheesh!

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  37. where can you buy the green mint chips?!

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    1. Hey there, Shayma! Like I said in the post above, I found them at World Market but you can also find them on Amazon.
      Thanks! :)

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  38. We make oreo truffle balls every year, too, but use mint creme oreos. Delish!

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  39. Great recipe! What would work best instead of a food processor?

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    1. A magic bullet (but you would have to do it in batches). Or even a blender, but all the pieces might not get exactly the same. Ya know, that's ok though. Chunky mint pieces in a truffle, uh YUM! :) Just get everything blended up as best you can. You really can't go wrong! :)

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    2. Or a ziplock bag and a rolling pin works great too. Tried and true!

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  40. Ok, the rolling of the truffles in the melted chocolate was a nightmare. What is your secret? Mine look like crap, I was so disappointed and frustrated, i gave up with the decorating.

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    1. Oh no! I'm sorry they didn't turn out like you wanted! I will say, they DO take practice! I've been making truffles for a few years now! Hmmm, I normally use a spoon to kind of scrape up the side of the bowl, wiping some of the chocolate off of them as I go. That way the coating isn't so thick on them. Does that make since? Also, if the chocolate is too hot when you start, the consistency just gets weird! Again, sorry they weren't pretty!! Don't give up though, truffles can be tricky but they are SO worth it once you get the hang of it!

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  41. Don't use the Toll House Mint and Dark Chocolate blend! We separated out the mint and chocolate and the mint chips just ended up being an oily mess and did not stick or cover the truffle! Not sharable with friends as is!

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    1. Thanks for the feedback. Hmmm, I wonder why they didn't work. Hopefully they still tasted good!

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  42. These are SUPER yummy! Just made them for Christmas and I think they will become a tradition in our home!!!! Thank you!

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    1. Awesome!! So glad you tried and liked them! :) I love new traditions! So happy these will be one of yours! Happy Holidays!

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  43. Oh my word. I was so optimistic about these. Looked tres delish, but really kicked my patootie. I couldn't get my dipping chocolate to a good enough consistency (used Ghiardelli white chocolate with some green food coloring and peppermint extract, couldn't find the kind you used) and this turned into a choco-nightmare. However, the hubby did snatch one already and said they were tres delish, even if they look VERY lumpy, bumpy.

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    1. Jennifer, ha this kind of made me giggle. I hate it when I see something and think "I can totally do that!" and somehow I just.....can't. (Laughing WITH you here!)
      The only thing I can think of is maybe the chocolate was actually over heated. I usually heat it a little LESS than I think it actually needs, and then once it is all stirred up, it's usually fine. Sorry about the mess; you're not the only one that's told me they did not turn out pretty. Luckily they still TASTE good. :)
      Don't get discouraged though. Truffles take practice!

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  44. Oh my goodness, these were so delicious! Thank you much!

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    1. Karmen, so glad you liked them!! They are a personal favorite!! Thanks for letting me know! :)

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  45. Now I know I would just LOVE these! Great post! I'm your newest follower!

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  46. Wow--these look incredible! I love mint chocolate.

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  47. I'm wondering if these would make good cake pops. My husband will die when he gets his hands on these. Can't wait to surprise him!

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  48. Do you think these would freeze well?

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    1. I have never tried to freeze them, but I don't see why it wouldn't work. I like to keep them in the refrigerator anyway after they have been made because they have the cream cheese in them. So, I would for sure thaw them in the fridge and not out on the counter.
      Another thing you could always do is try doing 1/2 the work ahead of time. You could blend everything and roll the balls and freeze them before you dip them in the chocolate. That is if you REALLY care what they look like. Then, you could thaw the balls slightly in the fridge and dip them in chocolate. Im just not sure if the chocolate would split or crack when they are thawing out. Does that make since? I hope this helps! If you do try either one, would you let me know how they turn out? I would love some feed back. Good luck! :)

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