Chocolate Caramel Truffles

I can't say the word "truffle" without silently adding "shuffle" onto the end. 

Chocolate caramel... truffle {shuffles}.

(A truffle shuffle, of course, being when one holds on to, and proceeds to shake, their stomach.)

If you have no idea what I'm talking about you should probably watch Goonies immediately.

This compulsive habit sometimes gets awkward when it becomes necessary to say "truffle" in public.  One more reason I try to avoid social situations. 

PS- These truffle {shuffles} are great for Valentine's Day.

Chocolate Caramel Truffles

Recipe from Taste of Home

-26 caramels  (I prefer Kraft.  One bag has about 50 caramels)

-1 cup high quality milk chocolate chips (Guittard or Ghiradelli)

-1/4 cup heavy cream

-1 1/3 cups chocolate chips, or dark chocolate candy melts

Line an 8x8 inch pan with plastic wrap.

In the microwave combine caramels, 1 cup milk chocolate chips, and heavy cream. Microwave 1 minute.  Stir. 

Continue microwaving at 15 second intervals, stirring after each, until completely melted smooth.  This may take some patience.  Mine took about 2 or 3 minutes.  (Note- Avoid the temptation to microwave longer than 15 seconds at a time, or your caramel and chocolate will burn and clump!)

Spread smooth mixture into prepared pan. Refrigerate at least 1 hour.

This mixture can then be rolled into balls and dipped in the 1 1/3 cups chocolate chips  (microwave it at 50% power, stirring every 30 seconds until melted smooth. Do not overheat!).  Place balls on a cookie sheet once dipped, and move to the freezer to set completely before serving.

OR

You can use a plastic candy mold like I did and "paint" melted chocolate or candy melts into the bottom and sides of each indentation.  (I actually just used a squeeze bottle, not a brush).  Move tray to the freezer to set completely.  Then press a small rounded amount of truffle mixture into each indentation, and cover in additional candy melt or chocolate.  Freeze about 10 minutes or until solid, then pop each candy out of the tray.

Do a little truffle shuffle, just because.