A twist on an oldie-but-goodie....

It's finally here.....THANKSGIVING!!! I know that I am not the only one excited about Thursday's food smash!  I am more excited this year because I get to spend it with my lovely roommates. Yes, we have chosen to stay in our pajamas and keep things simple. Thursday is going to be a blast.

I'm more excited to try some new recipes that are a twist of some of our favorite traditions this holiday season.  One of my favorites: Pumpkin Cream Cheese Truffle recipe from Whole Foods! This will substitute a pumpkin pie or pumpkin cheesecake recipe that you always wanted to make but never had the time to.  The prep time is 20 mins with an additional 2-3 hour set time. So, plan accordingly and you could be the talk of the dessert table this year!!!!!

Pumpkin-Cream Cheese Truffles

Ingredients

2½ cups white chocolate chunks
1/3 cup gingersnap cookie crumbs, plus more for garnish
1/4 cup canned pumpkin purée
1/4 cup graham cracker crumbs, plus more for garnish
1 tablespoon confectioners’ sugar
1/2 teaspoon orange zest
1/8 teaspoon ground cinnamon
Pinch of fine salt
2 ounces cream cheese, softened

Directions

Melt 1/2 cup of the chocolate in a double boiler over medium-low heat or in the microwave for about 1 minute. Stir often to keep the chocolate from burning. Transfer to a large bowl. Add gingersnap crumbs, pumpkin, graham cracker crumbs, sugar, zest, cinnamon, salt and cream cheese and beat with an electric mixer until smooth. Transfer to a shallow bowl, cover and chill until just solid enough to roll into balls, about 2 hours.

Line a large sheet tray with parchment paper. Melt remaining 2 cups chocolate and transfer to a small, deep bowl. Roll 1 heaping teaspoon of the pumpkin mixture into a ball in your hands, then drop into the chocolate. Working quickly, gently spoon chocolate over to coat. Using a small spoon or fork, lift the truffle out of the chocolate, shake off excess and transfer to prepared sheet tray. Dollop a bit of extra chocolate on any parts that remain exposed, then sprinkle a few gingersnap or graham cracker crumbs over the top, if you like. Repeat process with remaining pumpkin mixture and chocolate, then chill truffles until chocolate is completely set, about 1 hour.

These truffles pair pumpkin with gingersnap and graham cracker crumbs brilliantly.  For the best results, chill truffles until you're ready to serve them.

Enjoy the day and remember Thanksgiving doesn't end on Thursday.  You can be thankful every day for something in your life.  Time to look on the brighter side of things!

~ Knife Out