Chocolate Truffles

Ingredients:

• 3/4 cup (1 1/2 sticks) butter
• 3/4 cup cocoa
• 1 can (14 oz.) sweetened condensed milk (not evaporated milk)
• 1 tablespoon vanilla extract
• Cocoa or powdered sugar

Directions:

Melt butter in heavy saucepan over low heat. Add cocoa; stir until smooth. Add sweetened condensed milk; cook and stir constantly until mixture is thick, smooth and glossy, about 4 minutes. Remove from heat; stir in vanilla. Cover; refrigerate 3 to 4 hours or until firm. Shape into 1 1/4 inch balls; roll in cocoa or powdered sugar. Refrigerate until firm, 1 to 2 hours. Store, covered, in refrigerator.

Makes about 2 1/2 dozen candies.

Variations

• Nut Truffles: Add 3/4 cup coarsely chopped toasted pecans to chocolate mixture when adding vanilla. (To toast pecans: Heat oven to 375°F. Spread 3/4 cup pecan halves or pieces in single layer in ungreased shallow baking pan. Bake 5 to 7 minutes, stirring occasionally, about 5 to 7 minutes. Cool before chopping.)
• Rum Nut Truffles: Decrease vanilla to 1 teaspoon. Stir in 2 to 3 tablespoons rum OR 1 teaspoon rum extract and nuts.
• Espresso Truffles: Decrease vanilla to 1 teaspoon. Stir in 1 1/4 teaspoons powdered instant espresso or instant coffee when adding vanilla. Roll balls in cocoa or chopped nuts.
• Nut-Coated Truffles: Roll balls in chopped nuts