We're makin' troubles!

 This year for Christmas gifts for neighbors/friends, I made about 45 plates of truffles/cookies. 
It was quite a feat and took me a number of days to do.  I actually had to make batches of the batches.  I don't think I'll make this many plates next year.  But it being our first year here in a new place, new neighbors, new friends, the list just kept on getting longer and longer.  It felt like there were so many people in our neighborhood that both James and I wanted to be able to meet.  And what better ice breaker than a delicious plate of cookies!  People are overall very friendly here in the south, but I have noticed that many people in our neighborhood just drive into their houses through their garages and close their doors behind them, leaving no chance to shoot the breeze, or just chat and get to know one another. 
And with the fun Christmas theme that cookies go so well with, we thought it made a perfect occasion to go door to door (we did have one plate of cookies that was dispersed with a "Al Hijra"/Happy Islamic New Year theme to our Muslim neighbors).

Most of the days I did my cookie and truffle preparations while the kids were napping.  One day, however, Johnny helped me in the kitchen with a couple batches. 
He mostly just aided in the stirring and then licking of utensils before I tossed them in the sink.  But it was so cute, as we were making the truffles, he kept calling them "troubles".  He'd say things like "Oh boy!  We're making troubles!", and "Mom, I really like making troubles!"  It was so cute and I quickly grabbed my camera to capture his cute little crumb filled smile.

I got the truffle recipe from a grad school (MBASA) friend (thanks Heather!) and they are really easy to do.  You just take a pack of Oreos, mash them up and combine them with a pack of softened cream cheese.  Roll them into balls, cool them in the fridge, and then dip them in melted chocolate (almond bark works good).  Then sprinkle some leftover Oreo crumbs on top!
 
I had fun trying out different flavors of Oreos to make different flavors of truffles.  The limited edition Candy Cane Oreos were my favorite and made a yummy mint truffle.