Bon Bons

OK, let me preface this post by saying I have made these numerous times and they've come out cute as they could be.  They use to look like mice.  The batch I made this time, well, let's say they were maybe nuclear mutant mice.  The weirdest-looking batch of critters I've ever turned out!

This is basically a Hershey's kiss enveloped in a tasty cookie coating.  Now, in the past when I've made them, I've stuck a couple of mini-chocolate chips in for eyes and a couple for ears and then put in a piece of black string licorce.  But for some reason this year, the chocolate chips just looked like for shiny spots on a round ball with a black tail!  The last batch I switched to white chocolate chips so hopefully they would look like eyes, but, well......

Anywho...... if you have a more creative hand than I do, give it a try.  Or if you are just want a simple melt-in-your-mouth treat, forget about the adornments and just make the bon-bons!  Also, there are a variety of Hershey's Kisses....use any that you like....they all taste wonderful.

BON BONS (makes approximately 60 bon-bons)

1 (12 oz) cup semi-sweet chocolate chips
1/4 cup butter
1 can (14 oz) sweetened condensed milk
2 cups AP flour
1 tsp vanilla
1 bag (12 oz bag....about 60 kisses in each bag)
1/2 cup finely chopped nuts, optional

In medium saucepan, combine chocolate chips and butter.  Cook and stir over very low heat until chips are melted and smooth.  Add sweetened condensed milk.  Mix well.

Lightly spoon flour into measuring cup.  Level off.  In medium bowl, combine flour, nuts (if using), chocolate mixture, and vanilla.  Mix well.

Heat oven to 350F.

Shape 1 Tbsp of dough around each kiss, covering completely.  Roll into a smooth ball between your hands.  Place 1" apart on ungreased cookie sheet.

Bake at 350 for 6-8 minutes.  Cookies will be soft and shiny, but become firm as they cool.

NOTE:  If using licorce, place the strings into the bon bons within a minute or two after coming out of the oven and they will slide right in.  If using chocolate chips for ears and eyes, wait several minutes or the chips will simply melt.  But don't wait too long or the chips won't stick.