Hazelnut Or Almond Truffles

2/3 cup finely ground toasted almonds or hazelnuts 7 T melted butter 3 oz. bittersweet chocolate 3 oz. milk chocolate 1 T Amaretto (for almond) or 1 T Frangelico (for hazelnut) 4 egg yolks 2/3 cup confectioner's sugar 1/2 tsp. vanilla extract 1 1/2 tsp. almond extract

Makes about 30 truffles

Note: Pregnant or nursing women, young children or any with an immune deficiency should not eat foods made with raw eggs.

Chop toasted nuts in a blender or food processor until finely chopped. Slowly drizzle in 3 tablespoons of melted butter and process till well mixed. Set aside.

Heat remaining 4 T of butter in a small saucepan until very hot and bubbly (be careful not to let it burn). Remove from heat and add the chocolate. Stir constantly until smooth and melted. Set aside.

In a large bowl, beat egg yolks until foamy. Beat in the sugar gradually, add extracts and liquor and continue to beat until thick (see p[). With mixer on slow to medium speed, gradually beat in the nut mixture, then gradually beat in the melted chocolate mixture. Beat until smooth and well mixed. Cover with plastic wrap and refrigerate for at least thirty minutes or until firm

Place your choice of coating in a bowl. If you're going to have more than one, use separate bowls. Some possible coating choices are: toasted coconut, chopped nuts, unsweetened cocoa, powdered chocolate, crushed Oreo® Cookies.

Scoop out a teaspoon full of the truffle mixture and, using your fingers, roll it into a ball. Work quickly as the heat of your hand will quickly start melting the chocolate. Drop ball in the coating bowl. Repeat the process until there are 4 or 5 balls in the coating bowl. Gently roll the truffles in the coating mixture and a sheet of waxed paper.

Wrap truffles in an air tight container and store in the refrigerator for up to ten days or in the freezer for up to a month.