Dark Chocolate Truffles
December 13, 2010 | Print | E-mail | Filed under chocolate, truffles
With less than two weeks to go until Christmas, the hustle and bustle of the season is ramping up, and it’s becoming harder to find the time to fit in all of the shopping, get-togethers, and other activities going on this time of year. Enter these truffles, which are probably one of the easiest things you’ll make for your cookie and dessert trays! Most of the time required to make these is inactive refrigeration time, so you can go about other tasks while you’re waiting. They also make excellent host/hostess gifts; just package them up in a pretty little box and you have the perfect thoughtful, homemade gift – and you only need a few because they’re so rich. Give these a try, and enjoy a little extra time to yourself!
- 1/2 cup heavy cream
- 1/3 cup sugar
- 1/8 tsp vanilla, orange, or mint extract (optional)
- 6 ounces 99% cacao chocolate, cut into chunks
- Sprinkles, crushed peppermints, powdered sugar, cocoa powder, nuts, sea salt, etc. for coating
Stir the sugar into the cream until dissolved. Combine the cream and chocolate in a double boiler and melt over medium heat, or melt in a bowl in the microwave 30 seconds at a time.
Stir in the extract, if using. Pour the ganache into a cool bowl and let refrigerate 1-2 hours or until firm.
Roll the ganache into 1″ balls, and then roll in the desired coatings. Return the coated truffles to the refrigerator to firm up again. That’s it!
December 13th, 2010 at 11:29 am
LOVE these! Wish I had some at this very way too early time in the morning
December 13th, 2010 at 11:30 am
Love the idea of rolling in crushed candy canes – never, ever thought of that. Creative!
December 13th, 2010 at 11:33 am
These are so festive and gorgeous Tracy! Love them.
December 13th, 2010 at 11:55 am
Fun to make and eat!
December 13th, 2010 at 12:42 pm
You had me at chocolate ….and then again at truffle.
Delicious!
December 13th, 2010 at 1:17 pm
Wow, these look gorgeous, festive and so delicious!
December 13th, 2010 at 1:58 pm
I have truffles in the line up before Christmas, too – great post!
December 13th, 2010 at 2:14 pm
Beautiful pics! Question: where do you find 99% cacao chocolate? I think the most I’ve ever seen is 80%. Would it matter if I used a smaller percentage?
December 13th, 2010 at 2:16 pm
Oh goodness, these are marvelous!
December 13th, 2010 at 3:05 pm
Sooooo making these!
December 13th, 2010 at 4:40 pm
Karen – I used Scharffen Berger dark chocolate that my grocery store carries, but you can use 80% if you like – just adjust the amount of sugar in the recipe to your taste!
December 13th, 2010 at 4:52 pm
They look so tasty! I’ve never made truffles before but I just might have to give it a try!
December 13th, 2010 at 4:53 pm
Beautiful truffles! I would love to try these.
December 14th, 2010 at 12:10 am
Tracy, these are just so darned pretty. I think I’m going to make these for my neighbors.
December 14th, 2010 at 12:12 am
P.S. Tracy, how many truffles does one recipe make? Thanks.
December 14th, 2010 at 9:50 am
Oh my goodness these look so good!!! Great recipe!
December 14th, 2010 at 2:29 pm
These look fantastic. So festive and easy!
December 14th, 2010 at 4:20 pm
These truffles look fabulous. You’re definitely ready for the holidays.
December 14th, 2010 at 10:46 pm
These look so beautiful and festive. I have never made truffles before. Thanks for the excellent tutorial. I have been looking for something simple to make to give for gifts. These sound perfect:)
December 15th, 2010 at 12:56 am
Beautiful, delicious, and easy. Is there anything better than dark chocolate truffles?
Mint shall be going in these. Yes, indeed.
December 15th, 2010 at 4:25 pm
Absolutely gorgeous truffles! I love all of the different coatings on the truffles. And I love how simple the recipe is!
December 15th, 2010 at 6:35 pm
Man I so want some of these right now!!!
December 15th, 2010 at 7:38 pm
I absolutely love truffles! They’re so simple and SO delicious and festive for the holidays. Not to mention, they’re a blast to make. Thanks for sharing these, Tracy. I’ll have to give them a try soon.
December 15th, 2010 at 7:42 pm
These look sooooo yummy!
December 19th, 2010 at 4:53 pm
oooh how I love truffles
December 21st, 2010 at 2:54 pm
I just adore truffles! These are precious!
December 22nd, 2010 at 9:36 am
These look outrageously good!