Cake Truffles and Homesick Stories

I haven't been home since February, and I really miss all the comforts and familiarities of being there. 

When I was 12, I went away to summer camp for a week. It was kind of just the thing you did. Upon arriving in my cabin, I could sense that I may have problems. There were cleaning contests. There was singing and inane rules about manners at dinner. And there were hierarchies. Being the youngest in my cabin, I was always last in line. At the age of 12 I had apparently developed a sense of justice, and I knew this was not fair.

And I was deeply, painfully introverted. The friend that I came with found other friends immediately. At the end of the first night, I decided that I was done. So I cried. And cried. And cried. I didn't eat, sleep or attempt to socialize. It became pretty clear, to adults and kids alike, that I was miserable. Instead of sucking it up and dealing, I decided that I need to go home. No amount of cajoling would make me stay. So after three days, my mom picked me up, and I left camp feeling a grim and twisted satisfaction that I'd been the first kid in a while to leave camp early. 

That was a long time ago, obviously. I can assure you, I am much more well adjusted. It did take me a while to get over the homesickness though. I am, and always will be, an introvert. I dunno, maybe camps aren't meant for shy kids? I remember having this feeling that their system had somehow failed people like me. 

So there's my homesick story. I'm not really sure if it's relevant. Sorry if you had to slog through all that if you're just here for the recipe. I made truffles, out of cake mix, powdered sugar, and sweetened condensed milk. The general consensus was that they were delicious. See for yourself. And leave your homesick stories/camp stories in the comments below please ^_^

Cake Truffles

from Forever Now and Then 

Ingredients

• 1 can (14 oz) condensed milk
• 3 cups powdered sugar
• 1 cup funfetti cake mix
• ½ tsp vanilla extract
• 3 cups semi-sweet chocolate chips
• 1 ½ Tbsp shortening

Directions

1. In a large bowl, mix condensed milk and 1 cup of powdered sugar until fully combine.
2. Add cake mix and vanilla. Mix well.
3. Add remaining powdered sugar until dough is pretty firm (like play dough)
4. Mix in sprinkles.
5. Form in to cubes (or balls) and place on parchment lined cookie sheet.
6. Pop in freezer for 20 min.
7. For the chocolate coating, in a microwave safe bowl add chocolate chips and microwave in 30-second increments, making sure to stir after each. Takes about 2 min total.
8. Stir in shortening until smooth.
9. Remove cake batter cubes (or balls) and dip into chocolate. Pop back into freezer or fridge to set.