Chocolate Cinnamon Mud Balls

• 2 cups sugar
• 1/2 cup water
• 1/4 cup heavy whipping cream
• 1 tablespoon light corn syrup
• 1-1/2 ounces semisweet chocolate, chopped
• 1 to 2 teaspoons ground cinnamon
• 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
• Pinch salt
• 2-1/2 cups (15 ounces) semisweet chocolate chips
• 1 tablespoon shortening
• 1/2 cup ground nuts, optional

1. Butter the sides of a heavy saucepan; add the first five ingredients. Cook and stir over medium-high heat until sugar is dissolved. Cook, without stirring, until a candy thermometer reads 238u0b0 (soft-ball stage). Remove from the heat. Cool, without stirring, until mixture reaches 110u0b0.
2. Transfer to a large bowl; add the cinnamon, vanilla and salt. Beat until light-colored and stiff enough to knead, about 2 minutes. Knead mixture in bowl for 2 minutes or until smooth. Roll into 1-in. balls; cover and freeze for 20 minutes.
3. In a microwave, melt chips and shortening; stir until smooth. Dip balls in chocolate; allow excess to drip off. Roll in nuts if desired. Place on waxed paper; let stand until set.

sugar, water, heavy whipping cream, light corn syrup, chocolate, ground cinnamon, vanilla, salt, chocolate chips, shortening, ground nuts

Taken from www.tasteofhome.com/recipes/chocolate-cinnamon-mud-balls/ (may not work)