My Secret Brandy Truffles

Okay so they're not a secret anymore. I hesitated to publish this recipe, but it's just too good not to share. If you don't like Brandy, I suppose dark rum, Grand Marnier, or Bourbon would be good, too.

• Ready In: 3 hrs
• Serves: 12

Ingredients

• 1⁄2 lb  semi-sweet chocolate chips
• 1⁄2 cup heavy cream
• 2  tablespoons brandy
• 1⁄4-1⁄2 cup  Ghirardelli sweet ground chocolate and cocoa (comes in a gold canister)

Directions

1. Put the chocolate chips in a glass bowl.
2. In a small saucepan, bring the cream to a boil and then pour it over the chocolate.
3. Shake the bowl gently to let the cream settle into the chocolate, then cover the bowl with a plate or a lid to allow the chocolate to melt (takes about 5 minutes).
4. Whisk to mixture until smooth and shiny. Stir in the Brandy. Cover the SURFACE of the CHOCOLATE with the plastic wrap and put in a cool place for about two hours to let the chocolate firm up. (Do not simply put the plastic over the bowl. If you do, the chocolate with develop a "skin" like pudding does.).
5. Line a baking sheet with wax or parchment paper. Use two spoons to drop 1/2 to 1-inch mounds of chocolate on the paper.
6. Chill your hands under cold water (then dry them), and roll the mounds between your palms to shape them into smooth round balls.
7. Pour the cocoa/ground chocolate onto a plate or bowl, and roll the truffles in the chocolate using a clean spoon to help you coat them. Refrigerate the truffles until ready to serve.
8. To serve, gently scoop the truffles out of the cocoa with a fork and put them in small candy cups or a decorate platter. I like to use a small silver platter than I've refrigerated for nice presentation.