Monday, December 29, 2008

Amaretto Truffle Bars

Christmas this year was really my most favorite to date for so many reasons. One reason is something Terry reminded me of & that is Tristan is 5 & in his prime of enjoying Santa & we may have only a few years until he stops believing.

Another reason is my passion for entertaining, specifically with APPETIZERS. Sometimes I make them the focal point while simplifying the dinner portion. My favorite appies right now & the ones I served are Fried Zucchini, Cream Cheese Stuffed Jalapenos, Tuscan Stuffed Mushrooms & Caramelized Chili Shrimp. There wasn't a crumb left & most were prepared ahead of time which made life so easy. I have posted all these previously. So....

Today I wanted to post a dessert I served on Christmas. These Amaretto Truffle Bars are definitely for the chocolate lover. They are rich & decadent, that's why they should be served in bite size pieces. I will definitely be making these again as they were super easy but super impressive!


Chocolate Layer Ingredients:
4 (1-oz)squares bittersweet chocolate baking bars
6 (1-oz)squares semi-sweet chocolate baking bars
1/3 cup butter
1/2 cup heavy whipping cream

Filling Ingredients:
3 tblsp instant vanilla pudding & pie filling mix
1/4 cup butter, melted
3 tblsp amaretto liqueur* (little airplane bottle is enough)
1 tblsp milk
1 tsp vanilla
2 cups powdered sugar

Topping Ingredients:
1 tsp unsweetened cocoa

Line 8-inch square baking pan with aluminum foil, extending foil over edges. Combine baking bars, 1/3 cup butter & whipping cream in 2-quart saucepan. Cook over low heat, stirring often, until smooth. Reserve 1 cup mixture; set aside. Spread remaining chocolate mixture onto bottom of prepared pan. Freeze until set (about 30 minutes).

Meanwhile, combine pudding mix, 1/4 cup melted butter, amaretto, milk & vanilla in large bowl; stir until well mixed. Add powdered sugar; beat at medium speed until smooth. Spread filling mixture over chocolate mixture in pan. Carefully pour reserved chocolate mixture over filling. Freeze until set (about 30 minutes).

Lift bars out of pan using foil; cut into tiny 1/2" x 1" bars. Lightly sprinkle top of bars with cocoa. To serve, place bars in mini paper liners. Store in refrigerator. Makes at least 50 if you cut them small.

*Substitute 3 tablespoons milk plus 1 teaspoon almond extract.

My Thoughts:

I was a bit worried when I poured the 1st layer of chocolate & saw how thin it was. But fear not, after I tasted this rich indulgence I was thankful. And while I did have the cocoa in house I didn't use it. Oh, and I may have added about 1 tsp more of Amaretto liquer. I bought the tiny little bottles like you would get on an airplane & there was just a little left. I had already put enough in my coffee so I added it to the dessert. I will do the same next time!

Click Here to Print Recipe

For More Tempt My Tummy Tuesdays Please Visit Lisa at Blessed with Grace!

24 comments:

Kristina P. said...

It makes me happy you included a liquor substitution. Although, do you think it would bake out?

You know, the whole damn Mormon thing again.

Unknown said...

These look SO delish! I want one right now...for breakfast : ).

Mary said...

sounds nummy!!!

Rachel said...

Those look delicious!

The holidays go by so fast dont' they and then it's back to work; thank goodness for a 4 day weekend!

Joan said...

Those look so pretty! I love appetizers too. I love serving them. You have some great ones here.

Sonshine said...

those look delicious!

Thanks for stopping by!

Happy New Year! :)

Anonymous said...

These look amazing. I am a choc-o, food-o-holic...and these definitely fit the craving bill!

I saw that you are reading The Shack. I read it a few months ago...good book on many levels but so sad.

Have a wonderful New Year!

~Marie~ said...

Mmmmmmmm.....

Click and print... I'm defiantely going to give this a whirl!

Happy New Year!!!

Rachael Schirano \\ Rachael Schirano Photography said...

these sound yummy! i just read your previous post, and the same thing happens to me after the holidays too. i always enjoy all of that together time with my family and once it is over and life moves onto normal, i always feel a bit sad.

Yellow Beads said...

Many wishes for a Happy and Healthy 2009 :)

Rick said...

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Lisa@BlessedwithGrace said...

I always get so excited to see what you have posted, for TMTT. I love this recipe. THanks you so much and have a happy new year!

FROGGITY! said...

yuuuuummmm! and they're pretty too! :)

Kacey said...

That is hilarious about the coffee - I so would have done the same! They look fabulous!

Tam said...

HI...stopped by I have been MIA and had a split second to stop by and visit one of my all time fav bloggers! Have a great New Years!

michelle matthews said...

MMMMMMmmmmmm! Yummy! These sound so good!

I'm glad to hear that 5 is a great age for Christmas! I'm sad 2 is over for this Christmas! :(

Lump said...

those have to taste like heaven. :) so good.

Darla said...

Last week rum this week amaretto, I like your style.

Cute plate too.

Coco said...

Oddly, I have all of these ingrediants on hand. Except the Amaretto. Totally making these for our NYE party.

Wendelyn DeMoss said...

Can't wait to make those cream cheese stuffed jalapenos I can really eat my weight in those! So glad you had a great Christmas!
Enjoy the new year celebration!

Coco said...

Yes, made three batches of your fudge. To die for. Took a cute tin with me everywhere we visited.
But I find fudge so hard to make.

Oh and I did your fried zuchinni and I did mushrooms with it. SO GOOD!!

Anonymous said...

Yum!!! how lucky your guests were.

Maria said...

Everything you made sounds amazing! I am glad you had a nice Christmas!! Happy New Year to you too!

Jen said...

Um, how in the world could I have missed these. How wonderful!