About two weeks ago,@vegantraveler posted the most hilarious card in her Vegan Laughs that really got me thinking. It had a picture of a vegan baker licking cake batter off a mixing whisk and bragging about how vegans get to eat all the batter they want! (Check it out over here: http://www.vingle.net/posts/586948-Why-I-love-Vegan-Baking) And it's true! While admittedly, I haven't been vegan or vegetarian in years (gasp), I do still eat vegan and vegetarian foods regularly and appreciate the added safety in plant-based recipes. With no egg, no meat, and no dairy, there's less risk of foodborne illnesses and a much longer shelf life. (It's also perfect in a potluck situation when you know it's going to be left out for a long time!) With that being said, you can share and enjoy these cookie dough truffles (made with vegan cookie dough) without all of the concern that usually comes along with eating raw dough. One of my sister's favorite activities to do each holiday season is make a huge batch of vegan truffles for friends, and this is certainly our most favorite! --------------------------------------------------------------- Chocolate Chip Cookie Dough Truffles 2 1/2 cups all purpose flour 1 teaspoon salt 1 cup (2 sticks) vegan butter or margarine, room temperature 3/4 cup granulated sugar 3/4 cup packed brown sugar 1 teaspoon vanilla extract 1/3 cup soy or almond milk 1 cup mini semi-sweet chocolate chips 14 ounces of meltable chocolate (Ghiradelli and Godiva both make vegan melting chocolate, but other natural food brands do too.) 1. Beat butter and sugars and in large bowl with electric mixer on medium speed until light and fluffy. Add cream and vanilla. Stir in flour and salt and mix on low speed (or by hand) until incorporated. Stir in chocolate chips. 2. Cover and chill dough for 1 hour. 3. When dough is firm enough to handle (it may help to lightly flour your hands), form dough into 1" balls and arrange on a baking sheet lined with waxed paper. Place sheets in freezer and let chill for 30 minutes. 4. Melt chocolate candy coating in a double boiler or in microwave according to package directions. Using forks or a dipping tool, dip cookie balls into candy coating to cover. Tap fork on side of pan to remove any excess coating, and return to waxed paper-lined baking sheets. Chill until set. Store, chilled, in an airtight container for up to 1 week.
