{"id":13485,"date":"2012-12-05T06:45:27","date_gmt":"2012-12-05T11:45:27","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.thecakeblog.com\/?p=13485"},"modified":"2017-03-28T07:45:49","modified_gmt":"2017-03-28T11:45:49","slug":"holiday-cookie-exchange","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/thecakeblog.com\/2012\/12\/holiday-cookie-exchange.html","title":{"rendered":"Holiday Cookie Exchange"},"content":{"rendered":"

With the hustle and bustle of the holiday season, it’s nice to slow down for a moment and do something special for your friends and loved ones.\u00a0 One of the most classic ways to show we care is to give the gift of baked goods!\u00a0 Because really, who doesn’t appreciate a sweet homemade treat?\u00a0 So today some of my blogging and baking friends are swapping cookies… virtually!\u00a0 And can you guess the best part?\u00a0 You’ll enjoy six new recipes to add to your holiday baking list.\u00a0 Plus some creative packaging ideas for gifting!\u00a0 It’s a Virtual Holiday Cookie Exchange<\/strong>!!<\/p>\n

\"No<\/p>\n

My recipe is sort of a cookie, but more like a mini tart.\u00a0 I know, I know.\u00a0 It’s a cookie<\/em> exchange!!\u00a0 {I almost<\/em> made a cake but figured that was one step too far… I’m not a rule breaker!}\u00a0 But trust me, these are delicious.\u00a0 I wanted to do something that was both beautiful and impressive, but most importantly quick.\u00a0 We are all so short on time, especially during the month of December!\u00a0 Me included!\u00a0 These little minis are like a chocolate truffle but with less steps.\u00a0 The crispy tart-like shell is made of pure dark chocolate and provides the snap you normally get from the outside of a truffle.\u00a0 The filling is a creamy and smooth chocolate ganache, just like a traditional truffle center.\u00a0 Topped with pistachios, peppermints or any crunch topping of your choosing!\u00a0 It’s a super simple, no bake, decadently delicious Chocolate Truffle Mini Tart!<\/strong><\/p>\n

\"No<\/p>\n

Seriously!\u00a0 If you love chocolate, this one’s for you!\u00a0 Although it’s ‘mini’<\/em> in terms of a traditional tart, it is equivalent to two (maybe three) regular truffles.\u00a0 But hey, it’s Christmas.\u00a0 And nothing spreads joy like chocolate.\u00a0 Lots and lots of chocolate!<\/p>\n

\"No<\/p>\n

Top with chopped pistachios to give them a festive green shade and a nice salty crunch.\u00a0 Or top with chopped peppermints for a traditional holiday combo.\u00a0 I like the soft mint kind.\u00a0 Really, any crunchy topping would work.\u00a0 During my officially taste testing, I personally liked the pretzel topping best.\u00a0 Chopped toffee bars or fleur de sel would be excellent as well.<\/p>\n

\"No<\/p>\n

To package them up, I found this adorable wooden crate in the clearance section at Target<\/a>.\u00a0 Since it’s not intended for food use, I lined each section with unbleached parchement paper to protect my ‘cookies’.\u00a0 Then I wrapped the box with red baker’s twine<\/a> (from The TomKat Studio<\/a>) and tied with a kraft tag.<\/p>\n

\"No<\/p>\n

CHOCOLATE TRUFFLE MINI TARTS<\/strong>
\na recipe by Carrie Sellman<\/a>
\n(makes 24)<\/em><\/p>\n

Ingredients:<\/p>\n