Chocolate Truffle Recipe

Easy and Inexpensive Desserts at Home

Jan 20, 2009 Sarah Spiker

With their smooth chocolate exteriors and soft centers, truffles are a delectable treat for everyone, and can be made in the comfort of a home kitchen effortlessly.

From simple to extravagant, a rich chocolate truffle is elegant enough for a wedding favor, sweet enough for a Valentine's Day gift, yet surprisingly easy enough to be made at home. Homemade truffles are less expensive than store bought truffles and can be stored up to a week in the refrigerator or up to a month in the freezer.

This straightforward recipe can make many types of chocolate truffles by switching the decorative ingredients at the end.

Ingredients

For the Truffle Center:

  • ½ cup whipping or heavy cream
  • 2-3 Tbsp unsalted butter, softened (butter is optional)
  • 8 oz bittersweet or sweetened chocolate cut into small pieces (may be white, milk, or dark chocolate)
  • Peppermint oil or other desired flavoring such as vanilla, orange, strawberry or mint

For the Exterior Coating:

  • Additional chocolate, melted in double broiler or in microwave
  • ½ cup cocoa powder or powdered sugar
  • ½ cup chopped hazelnuts, walnuts, or espresso beans

Misc. Necessities:

  • Plastic Wrap
  • 9” by 5” loaf pan
  • Mini cupcake foils

Directions

  1. If possible, pulse chocolate in food processor until ground into fine flakes. If a food processor is not available, cut chocolate into thin strips or grate with cheese grater. The smaller the better.
  2. Warm cream to a boil and remove from heat.
  3. Add in chocolate flakes. Blend until smooth. (Mixture may be placed on low heat if chocolate does not melt thoroughly.)
  4. Add butter, flavoring, and food color if desired and blend well. Food coloring shows up best with white chocolate centers.
  5. Pour mixture into loaf pan lined with plastic wrap. (The plastic wrap makes for easier cleanup.) Refrigerate until firm (approximately 2-3 hours).
  6. Once firm, cut into pieces and shape into balls, hearts or ovals.
  7. Roll, lightly press, or brush on each truffle center the desired exterior coating.
  8. Place finished truffle in mini cupcake foil for a delicate presentation.

Makes 20-26 truffles, depending on desired size.

Baker's Tip

Because melted chocolate may make a mess for the truffle exterior, try rolling in cocoa powder or powdered sugar then rolling in chopped nuts. Truffles dipped in chocolate may develop white “blooming.” This is normal, and does not affect the taste of the chocolate. However, if it’s visually unappealing, try sprinkling nuts or cocoa onto the truffle before the chocolate spread dries.

Valentines Twist

Use white chocolate flakes instead of milk or dark chocolate. Use strawberry flavoring and a few drops of red food dye to create a pink center. Roll in cinnamon and cocoa powder and place in red or pink mini cupcake foil.

Wedding Variation

Use white chocolate flakes instead of milk or dark chocolate. Flavor with vanilla, or other desired non-coloring flavoring. Roll in powdered sugar. Drizzle in desired colored icing or create monogram in wedding colors. Place in white or silver foils. Truffles may then be placed in small boxes or containers and given to guests as favors or as dessert.

Overall, truffles should reflect the individual's style, and can be as simple or as complex as the imagination allows. Have fun decorating chocolate truffles, using a variety of styles, lines, frostings, and exterior coatings.

The copyright of the article Chocolate Truffle Recipe in Recipes is owned by Sarah Spiker. Permission to republish Chocolate Truffle Recipe in print or online must be granted by the author in writing.
Sweet truffles, Hartini A Sweet truffles
   
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