Like a great cup of coffee, or a perfect scrambled egg, everybody needs to know how to make a classic chocolate truffle ~ it’s the easiest, and most decadent, homemade candy and they make the perfect host or holiday gift.
The theme of today’s post is: you can’t really improve on what’s already perfect. The classic chocolate truffle is perfection personified. They are so easy to make that it’s almost silly. You need only 4 common ingredients, no special equipment, and no special skills.
If you’ve ever made a mud pie, you can make a truffle!
And I’m not sure, but I don’t think there’s a soul on earth who doesn’t love a chocolate truffle.
They’re a little messy, maybe, but if not for that, I think you’d be too embarrassed to call them a gift.
 The classic ratio for chocolate ganache is 2 parts chocolate to one part cream.
It starts out as a thick liquid and then sets up as it cools. This combination of cream and chocolate is pretty much the richest thing you can possibly imagine. Good thing it comes in bite sized portions.
You can set them out on a plate for eating right away, or give them as a gift. For giving it helps to have little foil or paper mini cups. You can find them in grocery stores, craft stores, and online.
The Classic Chocolate Truffle
Ingredients
- 8 oz dark chocolate
- 1/2 cup heavy cream
- 1 tsp vanilla
- about 1/2 cup unsweetened cocoa powder for rolling
Instructions
- Chop the chocolate as finely as possible. You can put it in a food processor or use a large sharp knife. Put it in a bowl.
- Heat the cream in a small sauce pan until it is just about to boil. Pour the cream over the chocolate and let it sit for about 10 minutes.
- Stir the cream and chocolate together until the mixture is smooth and silky. Add the vanilla, or any flavoring you like. Pour the mixture into a shallow baking dish, or pie plate and put in the refrigerator until set, about an hour.
- Using a 1" sized scoop, form small balls and set them on a baking sheet lined with parchment. You don't have to use a scoop, it just make it easier to form and release uniform sized balls. A melon baller, or a teaspoon and your hands will work fine, too. The balls will be roughly shaped at this point, you'll roll them smooth later.
- Put the sheet back in the refrigerator for about 30 minutes. (This step is optional, but the firmer balls makes coating them a little less messy.
- Put the cocoa powder in a bowl. Take each truffle and roll it in your hands to form a smooth ball, then roll it in the cocoa powder to coat. I drop it right in and use a spoon to toss it around. Lay it back on the baking sheet while you finish the rest of the batch.
- Keep the truffles at room temperature for a few days, or refrigerate longer. Store them in a single layer, or separate the layers with waxed paper.
Notes:
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 For more luscious truffles, check out my HOMEMADE FERRERO ROCHER TRUFFLES, or my spiked GRAND MARNIER TRUFFLES.
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You can coat your truffles in all kinds of things like chopped nuts, crushed candy canes, sprinkles, etc, but I don’t like to, I think it just detracts from the gorgeous mouth feel of that pure ganache. The benefit to coating your truffles, however, is that they become more packable and stackable if you’re giving them as gifts.
don’t forget to pin these classic chocolate truffles!
I like that you mentioned that aside from vanilla, pretty much any flavoring could work when it comes to fine chocolate truffles.
Hi Just wanting to know if i can freeze them… and how long would they last in the fridge?
I’m giving them as gifts and want to get a head start.
Truffles freeze really well. If you aren’t freezing I’m comfortable keeping them for up to 2 weeks ahead of giving.
These look beautiful!! I am wondering if you have any insight into making coffee chocolate truffles? Would the recipe need to change besides adding instant coffee or espresso?
No, you can easily flavor this with coffee or espresso using the instant. I would add it to the cream before heating, and make sure it gets completely dissolved. I have a wonderful recipe for Cardamom Coffee Truffles.
They look so pretty! Can’t wait to make truffles, but for now I am busy with Christmas cookies. 🙂
Truffles are the best last minute holiday project 🙂
I can picture myself smiling and chocolate covering all my teeth. I love truffles. Great recipe!