Bite-Sized Paradise: You Need to Try These Strawberry Shortcake Truffles
If you’re a fan of creamy, fruity desserts that feel both indulgent and refreshing, you’re in for a treat. Today, we’re taking one of our favorite desserts – strawberry shortcake – and transforming it into bite-sized truffles. Imagine biting into a soft, melt-in-your-mouth treat that perfectly captures the sweet and tangy essence of cheesecake, with the added bonus of an irresistible graham cracker crust. Sounds divine, right?
The Perfectly Simple No-Bake Snack
These Strawberry Shortcake Truffles are not only easy to make but incredibly customizable. You can adjust the sweetness, coat them in white chocolate or even dark chocolate, and roll them in crushed graham crackers for an extra layer of flavor (That’s what we do!). Let’s break down how to make these creamy, fruity delights that are sure to impress your friends, family, or anyone lucky enough to taste them.
Ingredients:
- 134g of Vanilla Sandwich Cookies (around 10 cookies – Golden Oreos or any similar brand will work)
- 75g OR 1/3 cup of softened strawberry cream cheese (If you don’t have this, use regular cream cheese and 1 tablespoon of dehydrated strawberry)
- 1 tsp of Mexican vanilla extract (This adds a richer flavor than regular vanilla, but feel free to use any vanilla you have)
- White chocolate candy melts (for coating)
- Crushed graham crackers (for rolling the truffles)
How to Make Strawberry Shortcake Truffles
Step 1: Prepare the Cookies
The first step in making these truffles is to crush the vanilla sandwich cookies into fine crumbs. This creates the base for your truffle filling and gives it that delicious cookie-crust flavor that perfectly mimics the crust of a cheesecake.
- Use a Food Processor: The easiest way to crush the cookies is by using a food processor. Simply break the cookies into a few pieces, add them to the processor, and pulse until you have fine crumbs.
- Use a Blender: This is our go-to way to do it. We would prefer a food processor, but to be honest with you we haven’t had the chance to buy one in our LA house!
- Manual Method: If you don’t have a food processor, place the cookies in a Ziploc bag, seal it tightly, and crush them with a rolling pin. Make sure you leave a little hole in the bag to let air out! It’s a great way to get your arms moving!
The goal is to create small, uniform crumbs so they blend well with the other ingredients in the next step.
Step 2: Mix with Cream Cheese and Vanilla
Once your cookies are finely crushed, it’s time to add the cream cheese and vanilla. These two ingredients will give the truffles their smooth, creamy filling.
- Cream Cheese: Be sure your cream cheese is softened before mixing. Softened cream cheese will combine more easily with the crushed cookies, ensuring a smooth, creamy texture. You can leave it out at room temperature for 15-20 minutes before using.
- Vanilla: The addition of vanilla extract is what gives these truffles their depth of flavor. We recommend using Mexican vanilla for a more intense flavor profile, but regular vanilla extract works just as well.
Place the cookie crumbs, softened strawberry cream cheese, and vanilla extract into the bowl of your stand mixer. Mix on medium speed for about 2-3 minutes until everything is combined and smooth. The mixture should have a dough-like consistency, thick enough to roll into balls but not too stiff. If it’s too soft, refrigerate the mixture for about 10-15 minutes to firm it up.
Step 3: Form the Truffle Balls
Once your mixture is smooth, it’s time to roll the truffles into bite-sized balls. You can use a melon baller, a small cookie scoop, or your hands. If you use your hands, be sure to wet them slightly with cold water to keep the mixture from sticking.
- Size Matters: Each truffle should be roughly the size of a small walnut or a bit larger than a tablespoon. Aim for uniform sizes so that they set evenly.
Once you’ve rolled the mixture into balls, place them on a parchment-lined baking sheet or tray. This will prevent them from sticking as they chill.
Step 4: Chill the Truffles
After forming the truffle balls, place them in the refrigerator to chill for 20-30 minutes. Chilling helps the truffles firm up, making them easier to dip in chocolate and keeping their shape. This step is crucial because you don’t want the truffles to fall apart when you coat them in the white chocolate.
We like to put toothpicks in them before chilling so that when they come out, you have an easy way to hold them for dipping in the chocolate in the next step. We absolutely recommend that you do the same.
Step 5: Coat the Truffles in White Chocolate
The white chocolate coating is what gives these truffles their elegant, sweet finish. You’ll want to melt the white chocolate candy melts or white chocolate chips until smooth. There are two primary ways to do this:
- Microwave Method: Place the white chocolate in a microwave-safe bowl. Heat it in 30-second intervals, stirring in between each interval, until the chocolate is fully melted and smooth.
- Double Boiler Method: Alternatively, you can melt the white chocolate using a double boiler. Place a heatproof bowl over a pot of simmering water, making sure the bowl doesn’t touch the water. Stir occasionally until the chocolate is completely melted.
Once the chocolate is ready, dip each truffle into the melted white chocolate, coating it completely. You can use a fork to help dip the truffles and allow any excess chocolate to drip off.
Step 6: Add the Graham Cracker Coating
Now that your truffles are coated in white chocolate, roll them in crushed graham crackers for a nice touch of crunch and flavor. The graham crackers provide the “crust” element of the shortcake, giving your truffles that nostalgic flavor.
Simply place some crushed graham crackers in a shallow bowl and roll each truffle until it’s coated evenly. For extra flair, you can drizzle a little more melted white chocolate over the top after adding the graham cracker crumbs.
Step 7: Let the Truffles Set
Once your truffles are coated and rolled, place them back on the parchment-lined baking sheet. Let them sit at room temperature to harden, or pop them in the fridge for about 10-15 minutes to speed up the process. Once the chocolate has set, your Strawberry Shortcake Truffles are ready to enjoy!
Serving and Storing Tips
- Serving: These truffles are perfect for a special occasion like a birthday party, a holiday gathering, or even as a sweet treat for yourself! Serve them on a pretty tray, or place them in little candy cups for a more sophisticated touch.
- Storage: Store your truffles in an airtight container in the fridge. They should keep for up to a week. If you want to make them in advance, they can also be frozen for up to a month. Just let them thaw in the fridge before serving.
- Make It Your Own: You can adjust the sweetness of the truffles by using different flavored cream cheeses, such as plain or vanilla cream cheese, if strawberry isn’t your thing. You can also experiment with using milk or dark chocolate instead of white chocolate for coating.
Why These Strawberry Shortcake Truffles Are a Must-Try
What makes these truffles stand out? There’s the perfect balance of tangy, creamy strawberry filling paired with the sweetness of white chocolate and the crunch of graham crackers. It’s a dessert that’s satisfying but not too heavy, and it’s guaranteed to be a hit at any event.
The beauty of these Strawberry Shortcake Truffles lies in their versatility. Not only can you adjust the flavors to suit your preferences, but they’re also incredibly easy to make. Whether you’re a seasoned baker or a beginner in the kitchen, these truffles are something anyone can whip up and impress guests with.
Final Thoughts
If you’re looking for a dessert that’s both elegant and easy to make, these Strawberry Shortcake Truffles are your answer. The smooth, creamy filling paired with the crunch of graham crackers and the sweetness of white chocolate is pure perfection. So what are you waiting for? Get in the kitchen, grab some cookies, and start making these delightful truffles today!
Much love,
Sidney and Thomas
Looking for more NO-BAKE recipes? Check out the rest on our blog here!
2 Comments