Strawberry M&M® Cheesecake Truffles

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Everything you love about cheesecake all rolled up into a ball and dipped in chocolate and made special with M&M’s® Strawberry. What more could you ask for this Valentine’s Day?

After the flurry of the fall and winter holidays you might think that it’s all over until next time. But before we brought in the new year, Valentine’s Day was already on the horizon. Not to mention other holidays and events such as football playoffs, Mardi Gras, and a little more down the roas is St. Patrick’s Day. If we are gonna be cooped up inside, we may as well have fun with it, right?

Even as a kid I loved celebrating every holiday. From decorating holiday themed sugar cookies, handing out little gifts to my friends, and sometimes actually having themed parties (IDK how I convinced my parents to support my holiday-obsession). But who am I kidding, even as an adult I love holidays. In fact I may still hand out those boxed Valentine’s Day cards to my friends and coworkers along with a little treat. As I’ve said before, holidays are my thing.

Another reason to love the holidays is all the themed food items that are available. This year I hunted down the M&M’s® Strawberry at Walmart and ended up snagging some cute American Greetings® Valentine’s Day cards and a DOVE® Valentine’s Day tin. Collectively, I sensed the making of an awesome Valentine’s Day present.

Of course being a food blogger I couldn’t just bring the bags of M&M’s® Strawberry home and eat them straight out of the bag. Okay maybe I ate a few while I was creating these truffles but ultimately they were chopped up and turned into these wonderful strawberry cheesecake truffles! Originally I had intended to coat them in white chocolate, thinking that the M&M’s® Strawberry were white chocolate based. After sampling a handful few, they are milk chocolate inside with a strawberry flavored candy coating. Instead of chocolate covered strawberries, think strawberry covered chocolate.

But the best part (as with most things) is what lies within. Cream cheese is blended with chopped strawberries, chopped M&M’s® Strawberry, graham crackers, and a little powdered sugar resulting in a filling that tastes just like fresh cheesecake but without all the hassle of a spring form pan. After rolling into balls and chilling, they were dipped into melted milk chocolate and topped with graham cracker crumbs or a single M&M’s®. Who wants to be my Valentine??

Want to make these truffles for your Valentine? Save $1.00 on ANY TWO (2) M&M’s® Brand Chocolate Candies, 8oz or larger. Click HERE to get the coupon. If you have any other fun Valentine’s Day ideas for the M&M’s® Strawberry please do tell! I have another bag waiting for a purpose in life.

One year ago: Black Bean & Chorizo Soup

Two years ago: Three Cheese Chicken and Artichoke Bake

Four years ago: Almond Cherry Chip Blondies

Five years ago: Apple Oatmeal Breakfast Muffins

STRAWBERRY M&M® CHEESECAKE TRUFFLES

Makes 3 dozen

Ingredients:

FILLING

8 oz. cream cheese, room temperature

1 cup + 2 Tbsp graham cracker crumbs

1/4 cup powdered sugar

1/2 tsp vanilla extract

3 Tbsp chopped M&M’s® Strawberry

3 Tbsp finely chopped strawberries

COATING

12 oz. milk chocolate, chips or chopped

Graham cracker crumbs or whole M&M’s® Strawberry, for decoration

Directions:

1. Line a baking sheet with foil, parchment, or a silicone baking mat. Set aside.
2. In a medium bowl, beat together the cream cheese, graham cracker crumbs, powdered sugar, and vanilla until smooth. Fold in the chopped M&M’s® and strawberries until distributed.
3. Scoop about 2 teaspoons of filling at a time and roll balls. Place on prepared baking sheet. Place in fridge or freezer to chill until firm.
4. To melt the chocolate, place a heatproof bowl over a pan of simmering water. Add chocolate and stir until melted and smooth. Coat truffles one at a time using two forks, and tap off excess before returning to baking sheet. Top with more graham cracker crumbs or M&M’s®, if desired. Return to the refrigerator to chill until ready to serve.

Source: Adapted from Everyday Annie.