Other Desserts

Condensed milk and cocoa truffles are a homemade treat that tastes and feels remarkably like the classic Russian "Truffle" candies, but they come together in just 20 minutes at home with no baking at all. The key ingredients — sweetened condensed milk (regular or boiled dulce-de-leche style), butter, cocoa powder and crushed cookies or nuts — are pantry staples in most homes, which makes this the perfect recipe when you want something sweet right now. Gently warm the condensed milk with butter, stir in sifted cocoa and crushed cookies, mix into a smooth pliable mass and chill for 30-40 minutes until firm. Then roll into small balls and coat in cocoa, shredded coconut or chopped nuts. The result is a soft, melt-in-the-mouth filling with a deep chocolate flavor. Proportions for 20-25 candies inside.

Boiled sugar on milk is a simple homemade Soviet-era childhood treat that many people remember as their very first "cooking experiment." It's made from the most basic ingredients — sugar, milk and a knob of butter — and turns into a sweet caramel mixture you can pour into molds or simply break into pieces once it sets. The flavor is somewhere between a milky toffee and a soft caramel candy. Combine sugar and milk at a 3:1 ratio in a saucepan over low heat and cook, stirring constantly, for 10-15 minutes until the mixture thickens and turns caramel-colored. Remove from heat, stir in a knob of butter and pour into greased molds. Proportions and nut variations inside.