Pumpkin Balls

When looking for tasty treats to make for Christmas, I found these yummy looking pumpkin balls at Annie's Eats. 

When I took them to work (yes, I worked over Christmas.  In fact, I was on call every other night for six days), one of our hospitalists tried one just moaned.  When he found out that I had made them, he told me he hated me...that's a good thing in this case!  :-)  My dad, for some reason, thought there was coconut in them. Hmmm...they were very pleasant and a different twist on truffles. 

Pumpkin Spice Truffles adapted from Annie's Eats

Yield: about 30 truffles
Ingredients:
1 cup white chocolate, coarsely chopped (about 5 oz)
½ cup pumpkin puree
1.5 cup graham cracker crumbs
¼ tsp. ground cinnamon
4 oz. cream cheese, softened

For dipping:
about 16 oz. chopped white chocolate, melted (or white candy melts)

Directions:
To make the truffle filling, melt the white chocolate in a heatproof bowl set over simmering water just until smooth. Set aside to cool slightly. Add the pumpkin, gingersnap and graham cracker crumbs, cinnamon, and cream cheese. Mix well until completely blended and smooth. Transfer the miture to the refrigerator or freezer until it has thickened up enough to scoop and roll into balls (about 1 hour).

Scoop the filling mixture and roll into balls, about 1 inch in diameter. Transfer to a parchment- or foil-lined baking sheet. Transfer the baking sheet to the freezer and let chill until firm, about 2 hours.

When you are ready to dip the truffles, melt the white chocolate or candy melts for coating in a heatproof bowl set over simmering water. Once completely melted and smooth, carefully dip one of the balls of filling into the chocolate. Turn quickly to coat and balance on the tines of a fork to shake off the excess. Transfer to a lined baking sheet and sprinkle with additional gingersnap crumbs, if desired. Repeat with the remaining filling balls. Transfer the baking sheet to the refrigerator and chill until the coating is set. Enjoy!