Peppermint Oreo Truffles

Karma Decker’s culinary creations have always been a way to make people happy. Although her five sons are grown, the owner of  West Chester’s Karma in the Kitchen says some of the fondest times of their childhood were food related. 

“My children’s memories revolve around what I made for them for their birthday,” Decker says. “[They’ll ask,] ‘Do you remember that time you came to my fourth grade class to make pancakes?’ ”

Since 2016, Decker has made a business of making treats ranging from chocolate salted caramels to an original lemon bar creation known as Lemon Love. Decker recalls her mother making hand-dipped chocolates at home, creating the candy centers on a 12-inch marble slab on the kitchen counter. 

“I knew that a human being could do it and not just a machine,” says Decker, who formerly worked as a professional baker. “So, as I got more involved with the confections, I introduced chocolate, took some classes, learned more.” 

Decker follows roughly 1,200 chocolatiers on Instagram that provide her  inspiration. She also shares her own knowledge, posting recipes for creations such as Oreo truffles on the store’s website (including her Double Chocolate Drops of Peppermint Love below). 

“I don’t go around thinking, Now what?” Decker says. “I go, ‘You know what would be fun? This would be fun. What if we did that?’ ” 8779B Cincinnati Dayton Rd., West Chester 45069, 513/668-1943, karmainthekitchen.com

Double Chocolate Drops of Peppermint Love

INGREDIENTS
16-ounce package peppermint Oreos or regular Oreos and a few drops of peppermint oil
8-ounce package cream cheese, softened
10-ounce package white chocolate chips or melting chocolate

DIRECTIONS
Crush cookies and mix with cream cheese (and oil here if using regular Oreos). Shape into 1–1 1/2 inch balls and refrigerate at least 2–3 hours. Melt white chocolate, dip balls and place on waxed paper to set. Garnish with sprinkles or drizzle with milk chocolate.