Here’s what happened…
I made buttercream.
I had leftover buttercream.
I decided that I needed to remove the buttercream from my house for fear I would do a swan dive into the bowl.
Whatever is a girl to do?
I considered tying a bow on the bowl and taking it over to my neighbors…I mean, it IS Christmas.
And really isn’t a big vat of frosting the gift that keeps on giving?
But just a bowl of frosting, while delicious and functional, would be re-gifting. And while I am not above re-gifting, I try not to make it so obvious.
So, I got a little creative.
I dressed my buttercream up.
NO, I am not talking about cute packaging.
I am literally talking about putting an outfit on my frosting.
A chocolate outfit.
You dig?
I had about 2 cups of leftover frosting that I trufflized (that’s SO a word).
Here’s the recipe for Buttercream.
I refrigerated the extra frosting overnight, but I imagine a few hours would be plenty. Just long enough that the frosting gets hard…
When the frosting is completely chilled, roll into teaspoon sized balls. You don’t want to make them too much bigger than teaspoon sized because there’s a lot of sweetness going on here.
Once they’re rolled, place in the freezer for at least 30 minutes.
They need to be very cold because you don’t want the frosting to melt when you dip them in the chocolate.
Next melt 10 oz of chocolate. I used chocolate candy disks. I added about 2 teaspoons of vegetable shortening to the disks to thin the chocolate a bit. You don’t have to, but it helps get a smooth finish.
Dip the frosting balls into the melted chocolate quickly, and tap off the excess chocolate. I use a fork and I tap, tap and then tap some more.
Just know that since the frosting is frozen the chocolate coating will set rather quickly. If you want to decorate the truffles with sprinkles, you need to add them now, so the chocolate doesn’t set.
That’s it. Little bites of dressed up frosting.
Really, is there anything better?
Hi! I’m Shelly and I’m an addict. Of the buttercream sort. I started this site a few years ago as a way to justify my sugary, buttery obsession with desserts. It has worked out well for me so far, because as it turns out you guys all love sugary, buttery desserts too! It feels good to know you are not alone, doesn’t it? 
I am so doing this the next time I have leftover frosting (if that ever happens)!
Lauren at Keep It Sweet recently posted..Vegan Mango Shake
Um yeah. You tooootally just legitimized my tendency to stick a spoon straight into my bowl of frosting. Except for now I can wrap it up all pretty and pretend like I don’t just wanna eat the stuff straight-up. Genius!
Tara @ Chip Chip Hooray recently posted..Spinach and Chicken Sausage Pasta Bake
Oh. My. Gawd. I wish you could see me, doing a little happy dance, because I am making your Lofthouse bar cookies tonight (for my son’s Christmas party tomorrow)–and realize I can save some of the buttercream to make these. Buttercream just might be my favorite food in all the land.
Ashley @ Kitchen Meets Girl recently posted..Guest Posting at Mom’s Crazy Kitchen: Peppermint Marshmallows
Um yeah… you’re talking to a girl who has no shame in eating spoonfuls of left-over buttercream… or any frosting, for that matter.
The chance I’ll try this the next time I have some buttercream on hand…… pretty good. Heck, I may even forgo icing the cake all -together!
Emily ~SoDomesticated~ recently posted..Chocolate Meringue Cookies…
OMGosh, what have you done? You’ve made me wanna have to mix a batch of Buttercream up just for this hahahaha….I’m gonna try white chocolate though as my family aren’t chocolate, chocolate eaters. Thanks for another awesome goodie!! Hugs
AWESOME!!!! I’ve been wondering what to do with the container of left over Strawberry buttercream I have. NOW I know
Talk about fancy leftovers. Sweet! You are brilliant!
Anna recently posted..Nutmeg Scones with Cranberry Orange Butter
…And that’s why you’re my idol.
Love buttercream truffles! Yummy!
Aimee @ ShugarySweets recently posted..Almond Truffles
I always have leftover buttercream and am trying to figure out how to use it (which usually results in me making cookies to sandwich it between). Next time I’m doing this! Brilliant!
natalie (the sweets life) recently posted..Oatmeal Cheesecake Cranberry Bars
Oh so yummy sounding! MMMmmmm… I am wiping away the drool from my chin as I type this…
Tiffany {A Clove of Garlic} recently posted..Grilled Cheese & Tomato Soup
See I toss out at least a few cups every time I make it, so saving it for this next time!
sue @ cakeballs, cookies and more recently posted..Mini Mudslide Whoopie’s
I’ll happily take any leftovers off your hands
Rachel @ Baked by Rachel recently posted..Candy Cane Thumbprints
vanilla
butter
cream
chocolate
in ball form..
I can live with (a dozen or two) of these!
Averie @ Love Veggies and Yoga recently posted..Ho Hos with Cream Cheese Frosting
GREAT photos and a great post!
Ashton recently posted..Easy Christmas Cupcakes: Santa Hats and Christmas Trees
OMG you’ve made it OK to eat frosting by the spoonful. If I get caught doing that my husband gives me the stink eye, but with these, I could totally get away with it.
I’ve said it once, and I’ll say it again…you are AWESOOOOOOO-OME!
mrsblocko recently posted..Hawaiian Smoothie
What a fabulous idea! I always have leftover buttercream and I am definitely going to make these next time that happens
Krissy @ Krissy’s Creations recently posted..Gingerbread Cookies
Looks delicious!!
OMG, I have a HUGE bowl of green leftover buttercream in my fridge RIGHT NOW. I think I’m going to dip them in red candy melts….so festive!
This is a GREAT idea!! I actually just made some peppermint icing for a failed peppermint roll so I just put the icing in the refrigerator not really sure what to do with it. I’m definitely going to make these truffles tonight!
Kelly recently posted..Crunchy Pumpkin Seeds
oh dear lord! These are just what has been dancing around in my head…well ok not really but now they are. I think we were lovers in a past life.
I think you may have just started a new trend, Shelly! Super rich and super delicious:) Great photos!
Sue recently posted..Elf Hat Peppermint Popcorn
MUST. MAKE. THESE. NOW.
Jenny – Sugar Loco recently posted..Now you See(s) it, Now you don’t
Looks wonderful!
LOVE these!! My FIL is obsessed with frosting, I might have to make him for these before he gets here on Friday!
I made your Santa snack mix from awhile ago and posted about it today
Erin @ Dinners, Dishes, and Desserts recently posted..Comment on Santa Mix by Cassie @ Bake Your Day
Oh, my! I can’t even imagine how good (and addicting) those are.
so wrong and yet I’m so on board! awesome
Karen @ Trilogy Edibles recently posted..Christmas Cookies–Peanut Butter Crisp Balls
I had a piece of see’s candy last week that I feel in love with. As I was eating it I thought, “is this buttercream just coated in chocolate? I need about 400 of these little things.” And here you are, just reading my mind… I will be intentionally making buttercream, just to make these!
Julia recently posted..Grape Stuffed Goat Cheese (and a giveaway!)
Oh NO you didn’t!! Seriously?!?!? My daughter is going to LOVE these. She loves just the frosting, never the cake. She ‘ll lick all the frosting off a cupcake and she always asks for a corner piece of cake – just for the extra frosting!
Karyn recently posted..Apple Chips
Will you marry me?
JenMarie recently posted..Cinnamon Tea Rings for Christmas
I do!
I know I say this after every one of your posts, but you are a GENIUS! Finally, someone that understands my frosting addiction!
Erika – The Teenage Taste recently posted..My Sacral Stress Fracture [1 Year Later]
You are EVIL!!
Too much awesomeness right here!
Best invention evah!! Love these.
Cookbook Queen recently posted..Minty Fudge Cookies
Awesome idea! Thanks for making it ok to eat that leftover frosting.
AMAZING idea! you are a visionary! i can’t wait to make these. why make cake balls when the frosting is what i love most about cake?!
This idea is insane. But, in a good, sugar covered, candy coated kind of way. I can’t wait to try it!
LilaLoa recently posted..Candy Canes
you are kidding right? buttercream dipped in chocolate. The possibilities are endless and what a great way to use up left over buttercream. love. love. love.
Christina @ Ovenadventures recently posted..Snowflake Sugar Cookies
Oh my heck!!! Chocolate covered frosting??? I’m so in! Sounds amazing!!!
That is absolute GENIUS! BTW, where do you live?? I think I wanna be your neighbor!
I think you and I must be kindred spirits. In my baking frenzy today I came to a screeching halt with the thought of Buttercream Truffles. Yes, I think I’ll just have to add these to my last-minute to-make list.
I’m always trying to freeze my frosting and then always end up eating it out of the freezer. (It’s SO GOOD.)
This is a genius move. I love regifting when it involves covering butter and sugar in chocolate.
Joanne recently posted..Recipe: Garbanzo Beans with Shredded Brussels Sprouts and Vegetarian Sausage
You’re bad! These truffles look incredible! What a great idea.
NO YOU DIDN’T! I’m so glad you did.
heather recently posted..A Birthday Cake for Jane Austen: Twelfth Night Cake
OH
EM
GEE
Heather (Heather’s Dish) recently posted..Simple Arugula Pesto
Oh my! These are beyond delicious!
Baker Street recently posted..Almond Cranberry Bread In A Jar
How perfect. This would’ve been AMAZING with the caramel buttercream I had left over a couple weeks ago. So creative.
Sarah @ See Sarah Bake recently posted..Spicy Sausage Hot Pockets
Great idea! I never would have thought of this. Thanks!
NICE! Looks like something we can all make after rounds of xmas baking.
These are so cute and pretty! Love them!
Katrina @ Warm Vanilla Sugar recently posted..Chocolate Crinkle Cookies
Are you kidding me?!?!?!!? This is genius! I love it.
Shannon recently posted..Grandma’s Sugar Crinkles
I grew up with the buttercream icing balls..but dipping them in chocolate is “the icing on the cake”!! Love these
)
Karen @ Sugartown Sweets recently posted..Christmas Tree Cookies!
Beyond FABULOUS!!!!! I have 2 cups of buttercream and a block of chocolate almond bark….WHY HAVE I NEVER THOUGHT OF THIS BEFORE?!?!?!?!?
And i love the idea of delivering a bowl of frosting because it’s Christmas – hilarious!!
Mindy recently posted..Part 1: You can never go wrong with cookies!
Pure genius.
the chocolate lovers in my house say “Thank you!”
newest follower.
come visit
Well Dressed Cupcakes recently posted..Red Velvet Cupcakes & Peppermint Buttercream Frosting
This is awesome!!! I have a lot of frosting left over from my Xmas cupcakes and I will definitely be making these! Thanks for sharing
these are so pretty.
sweetsugarbelle recently posted..Rustic Poinsettia Cookies
Oh what a cute idea! Definitely have to make these soon!
Ryan recently posted..Meyer Lemon Cornmeal Cake
Love these! One of my favorite chocolate’s is the vanilla buttercream from See’s candy and now I can make my own version at home!
Sylvie @ Gourmande in the Kitchen recently posted..Tate’s Bakeshop Giveaway | Gluten-Free Cookie and Brownie Basket with Cookbook
What a great idea!! I think I could eat 10 of these!
DessertForTwo recently posted..1 Dozen Cut-Out Sugar Cookies
Perfect idea to use up leftover buttercream! I will definitely be doing this the next time I make a cake.
Tracy recently posted..Homemade Hot Cocoa Mix and Chocolate-Dipped Spoons
Icing is my very favorite part of the cake. This is better. Who needs the actual cake anyway!
Carissa recently posted..Glittery Jars
i would make SUCH a mess making these, but they have to be worth it. glorious treat!
grace recently posted..what a gem!
Oh, holy cow!! I read this post a few days ago, and this morning, I suddenly realized that I have a bowl of leftover buttercream (lemon flavored) from the kids’ cookie-fest last week. You are a genius!! I would never have dreamed of doing this on my own, but they rock!! Thank you so much! I can’t wait for everyone else to taste them in a couple of days.
This is a brilliantly genius, why didn’t I think of that idea!! And you’re killin me! Chocolate dipped buttercream frosting? Um. Yes, please!!
Have a happy and sparkly Christmas, Shelly!
Darla | Bakingdom recently posted..Perfectly Pinterest: A Very Merry Harry Christmas Cake
I made these this week, and I put them in the freezer like you said. After I dipped them, some of them cracked or the buttercream was oozing out of the chocolate coating. Do you have any suggestions to solve this? I used your recipe for the frosting and it was awesome! Thanks!
Well that’s weird! I didn’t have any of mine crack..but I HAVE had truffles crack when I have made Oreo truffles before. I always thought it might be because they were too cold and the coldness cracked the chocolate. The only suggestion I would have is let the truffles sit out for 5 minutes or so before dipping them, long enough to take the outer chill off, but not long enough for them to get room temperature. Did you use the candy melts to dip?
Oh… my… that sounds amazing! I just happen to have some peanut butter buttercream in the fridge that would be absolutely divine shrouded in a layer of chocolate. I’m going to have to get right on that
our family has a tradition of making a candy called “creams” for holiday gettogethers.
it’s straight-up buttercream frosting (butter, powdered sugar, vanilla, and cream), topped with a walnut half and drizzled with UNsweetened baking chocolate – this cuts the sweetness.
it took me 25 years to realize that we were just eating little balls of frosting. delicious balls of frosting.
my point is, try the truffles dipped in (or drizzled with) unsweetened chocolate… so good!
Those sound awesome!!
Brilliant!
These look so amazing and delicious! You did a great job! This was one of my faves for truffle recipes out there, so I featured it on my site!
http://thelatestfind.blogspot.com/2012/01/sweets-eats-contdchocolate-craze.html
Keep up the good and yummy work! =)
Three words….peanut butter buttercream.
OMG, so ridiculously good.