Chocolate are small round balls made of chocolate, butter and cream. These ganaches – a velvety mixture of cream and chocolate – have different flavors including nuts, fruit puree, liqueur, coffee, spices, dry fruits or extracts added to them.
They were traditionally given an imperfect circular shape and rolled in cocoa powder to resemble the fungus that grows around the tree roots in Italy and France. The ones you find in artisan shops are modern, glossy avatars of these simple but classic truffle pieces.
If you are in the mood for making some chocolates at home, why not try your hand at dark or white chocolate truffles? You can try the basic recipe for starters and modify it by introducing different stuffing and coatings. Check out the chocolate truffle collection at Chocholik.com while we create two recipes for you.
Dark Chocolate Truffle Recipe
Use good quality chocolates for the best results in terms of taste and flavor.
Preparation Time: 5-10 minutes
Setting Time: 2-3 hours
Serves: 15 – 18 persons (a piece each)
Skill Level: Novice to Expert
Ingredients
Bittersweet or semisweet chocolate – 1 1/2cup or 9 ounces
Cocoa Powder – 1/2 cup
Fresh Cream – 2/3 cup
Vanilla Extract – 1 tsp
Grounded Cinnamon – 1/2 tsp
Preparing the Ingredients
Heat a small saucepan and add the fresh cream to it. Let it cook till bubbles appear on the sides.
Tempering the Chocolate
Place finely chopped chocolate pieces in a bowl. Chop the pieces just before you make the truffles as the moisture in the air can harden them. Add the hot cream to the bowl. Use a dry plastic whisk to mix. Stirring gently, add the vanilla extract and cinnamon till all the ingredients blend into a smooth paste.
Placing in Molds
Use a baking sheet lined with butter paper and pour in the truffle mixture. Cover with cling film and refrigerate for 2 hours. The truffle should become solid enough to spoon.
Making Truffle Balls
Remove the mixture and scoop it with a cookie scoop or round shaped teaspoon to make one inch balls. Roll them one at a time. Place them back in the baking sheet and refrigerate for an extra hour.
Decoration
Reshape the balls to get a perfect round or oval shape and roll them in cocoa powder. The Truffles can be coated in icing or powdered sugar, chopped nuts, melted chocolate, shredded coconut and chocolate shavings in addition to cocoa powder.
You can decorate the truffles with sugar icing or melted white chocolate. Store the chocolates truffles in an airtight container in the refrigerator. Serve them at room temperature.
White Chocolate Truffle Recipe
White chocolate truffles can be made using both chocolate bars and chips. Some prefer chocolate chips as the stabilizers present in them give a firm finish to the truffles.
Preparation Time: 5-10 minutes
Setting Time: 2-3 hours
Serves: 12 persons (a piece each)
Skill Level: Novice to Expert
Ingredients
White chocolate or chocolate chips – 1 cup or 6 ounces
Butter – 5 tbps
Cocoa Powder – 1/2 cup
Fresh Heavy Cream – 3 tbsp
Salt – one pinch
Raspberry Puree – 2 tsp
Preparing the Ingredients
Place all the ingredients in a bowl and mix well. Chop the white chocolate bar into fine pieces. You can skip this step with the chips.
Tempering the Chocolate
Place the finely chopped chocolate pieces in a bowl and melt it in the microwave for around two minutes, taking it out every 30 seconds to check. Don’t chop the pieces in advance else they may seize due to the moisture laden air.
If you are using a double boiler for the tempering process, make sure that the boiling water don’t fall on the chocolate. When the chocolates start melting, remove from the flame. They will melt completely with the residual heat.
Stir in the other ingredients.
Placing in Molds
Pour the truffle mixture into a baking sheet or mold. Cover it with cling film and refrigerate it for two hours. The truffle will be solid enough to roll them in your hands.
Making Truffle Balls
Scoop the mixture with a teaspoon and make small balls. Roll them into a round shape one. Refrigerate the truffles for another hour.
Decoration
Roll the balls in cocoa powder or dip into melted dark and milk chocolate. You can coat them in powdered sugar, with chopped nuts or shredded coconut and even dark chocolate shavings.
You can make designs on the truffle pieces. Store these in airtight containers and refrigerate. Serve at room temperature.
Armed with these recipes and a bit of of practice, you can create dark and white chocolate truffles of any flavor or filling.
