Recipe: Chocolate Coated Buttercreams (Land O Lakes recipe)

CHOCOLATE COATED BUTTERCREAMS

"These homemade buttercream candies are easily made with powdered sugar, butter and cream cheese."

FOR THE FILLING:
1/2 cup Land O Lakes Butter, softened
1 (3 ounce) package cream cheese, softened
1 1/2 teaspoons vanilla extract (or almond, orange or rum extract)
4 cups powdered sugar
FOR THE COATING:
1 (12 ounce) package real semi-sweet chocolate chips (2 cups)
2 tablespoons shortening

TO MAKE THE FILLING:
Combine butter and cream cheese in large bowl. Beat at medium speed, scraping bowl often, until smooth (1 to 2 minutes). Add vanilla; continue beating until well mixed. Reduce speed to low. Beat, gradually adding powdered sugar, until well mixed (4 to 5 minutes). (If mixture is too soft, cover and refrigerate 1 hour or until firm enough to form balls.)

TO SHAPE:
Shape rounded teaspoonfuls of mixture into 1-inch balls. Place onto waxed paper-lined baking sheets. Cover loosely; refrigerate until firm (2 hours or overnight).

TO MAKE THE COATING:
Melt chocolate chips and shortening in 1-quart saucepan over low heat, stirring constantly, until smooth (3 to 4 minutes).

TO COAT THE BUTTERCREAMS:
Dip buttercreams into chocolate mixture using toothpicks; let excess chocolate drip off. Place onto waxed paper-lined baking sheet. Refrigerate at least 30 minutes to set.

Makes 5 dozen candies
Source: Land O'Lakes