Throughout the winter holiday season, it is always nice to have some treats on hand to offer guests and family members. Surely cookies and brownies are delicious, but they are also a bit cliche. If you become known as the family member who always has delicious, homemade truffles on hand, though, you'll have no shortage of happy guests. Here are three holiday-themed truffle recipes to try out this winter.

Perfect Peppermint Truffles

Candy canes are perhaps the most popular holiday-themed candy, and this truffle recipe takes them to the next level. It's also a good choice for those who are not the biggest fans of chocolate since it calls for white chocolate chips.

Ingredients:

• 2 candy canes
• 1/4 cup heavy cream
• 1 pound white chocolate chips, divided

Chop the 2 candy canes in a food processor until they are in very small pieces. Set these aside.

In a double-boiler, combine the heavy cream with half of the white chocolate. Stir until the mixture is melted and uniform. Remove from the heat, and stir in the peppermint candy pieces. Place this mixture in the refrigerator to cool for about 2 hours.

When the candy mixture has solidified, use a tablespoon to divide it into balls. Roll each ball gently to shape it, and then place it on a cookie sheet. Then, melt the remaining chocolate in the double boiler. Dip each truffle into the chocolate, and then place it back on the baking sheet. Chill the truffles in the fridge until solid, and then transfer them to a storage container. Keep them in the fridge until serving.

Gingerbread Cream Cheese Truffles

These spiced truffles taste like a combination of gingerbread and cheesecake. You can coat them in white, milk, or dark chocolate depending on your tastes.

Ingredients:

• 8 ounces white chocolate chips
• 4 ounces cream cheese
• 1/2 teaspoon cinnamon
• 1/4 teaspoon ground ginger
• a pinch of nutmeg
• 8 ounces white, milk, or dark chocolate chips for dipping

Combine 8 ounces of white chocolate chips, the cream cheese, cinnamon, ginger, and nutmeg in a small saucepan. Cook over low heat, stirring constantly, until the mixture is melted and uniform. Place in the refrigerator for 2 hours or until solid.

Scoop the mixture out into tablespoon-sized balls, and shape each one with your hands. Place the balls back in the fridge for 20 minutes. Meanwhile, melt the remaining chocolate. Once the balls have firmed up in the refrigerator, dip them in the chocolate and lay them on the baking sheet. Once they've hardened, you can store them in a sealed container in the fridge.

Chocolate Cherry Truffles

If you love chocolate-covered cherries, you'll fall in love with these truffles, too. They're even coated in Dutch cocoa for some extra chocolate goodness.

Ingredients:

• 8 ounces dark chocolate chips
• 1/4 cup heavy cream
• a pinch of salt
• 1/4 cup dried cherries, chopped finely
• 1/4 cup Dutch cocoa powder

Combine the dark chocolate chips, cream, and salt in a double, and stir constantly as you heat the mixture until melted and smooth. Stir in the cherries. Chill the mixture in the refrigerator for 2 hours, and then shape it into tablespoon-sized balls. You'll need to work quickly so the heat from your hands does not melt these truffles.

When the truffles have all been shaped, roll each one briefly in the cocoa. Aim to coat the truffles in a thin layer of cocoa -- just enough to keep them from sticking. Transfer them to a storage container, and store in the fridge.

Consider making all three of these truffle recipes so you let each guest sample them and tell you their favorite! You can even put them in tins and give them as gifts if you please. If you'd rather leave the treat-making to the pros, check out shops like Abdallah Candies And Gifts.