How to Make Chocolate Truffles

These chocolate truffles are decadent and easy to make. Top them with fun flavors like freeze-dried bananas and spicy chili to give the truffles a fun and even more delicious flavor.

You’ll also want to try my dark chocolate coconut truffles, red wine truffles, and pumpkin truffles, which are perfect for fall!

Chocolate Truffles

If you’re looking for simple recipes that have lots of variations, consider making these chocolate truffles. They’re a simple, decadent dessert that people love.

The name “truffle” comes from the actual mushroom truffle that grows under trees. However, chocolate truffles are sweet treats made with cream and chopped chocolate to create a ganache, which is shaped into the form of a “truffle.”

Chocolate truffles come from French cuisine. There are two origin stories, but they always involve a famous baker. Both stories ended with the baker’s final products looking like mushrooms.

In one story, Louise Dufour invented chocolate truffles during Christmas in 1895. When he ran out of new treat ideas to sell, he decided to use chocolate and form it into a ball. The recipe then reached London, where it became famous.

On the other hand, Auguste Escoffier first created the recipe in the 1920s. They resulted from an accident when his apprentice poured cream into a bowl of chocolate chunks. Once it hardened, he rolled the chunk into a ball to make it look like a mushroom.

Truffles play a big part in the culinary industry, sought for their savory flavor and appearance. So it’s not surprising that they influenced the shape of these chocolate treats.

Why You’ll Love These Chocolate Truffles

Decadently rich: These truffles have the perfect smooth, melt-in-your-mouth chocolate ganache center!

Customizable toppings: From freeze-dried fruits to spicy chilis, you can create endless flavor combinations.

No baking required: Simple stovetop and refrigerator process with no need to turn on the oven.

Impressive treats: They look and taste gourmet, but are surprisingly easy to make at home.

Chocolate Truffle Ingredients

Bittersweet Chocolate – Gives your truffles their rich flavor. Chop it finely so it melts evenly with the cream.

Semisweet Chocolate – Adds a touch of sweetness to balance the bittersweet chocolate. Using both types creates the perfect flavor.

Heavy Cream – Creates the smooth ganache when mixed with chocolate. The fat in the cream helps the truffles get their creamy texture.

Coffee – Makes the chocolate flavor deeper without making the truffles taste like coffee.

Vanilla Extract – Adds flavor and warmth to the chocolate.

Salt – Balances the sweetness and brings out the chocolate flavor.

Cocoa Powder – Used for coating the truffles and adds to the chocolate flavor. It also helps when handling the truffles.

Supplies

• Microplane
• Heat Proof Bowls
• Small Cookie Scooper
• Cake Stand

How to Make Chocolate Truffles

Prepare the chocolate mixture: Finely chop the chocolate and place in a heat proof bowl with the vanilla, coffee and salt.

Heat the cream: In a saucepan, bring the heavy cream to a boil then pour it through a mesh strainer into the chocolate.

Make the ganache: Let the milk sit on the chocolate for a minute to soften it. Then stir until all of the chocolate has melted and the mixture is smooth.

Let it set: Let it sit for 4 hours at room temperature or place it in the refrigerator until it’s hardened.

Prepare for rolling: Add 1 cup cocoa powder into a small bowl.

Form the truffles: Using a small cookie scooper, scoop and roll to make a small ball.

Coat with cocoa: Roll the chocolate ball into the cocoa powder to completely cover it.

Finish and display: Place it on a platter or cake stand and repeat with the remaining ganache.

Add custom toppings: To add toppings, use a microplane and grate different ingredients over the top of each truffle.

Storage

Storage

Chocolate truffles can be stored in an airtight container at room temperature for up to 3 days. Keep them in a cool, dry place away from direct sunlight to prevent melting.

Note: If you’ve used perishable toppings like fresh cream or fruit, refrigeration is necessary, and the storage time will be shorter.

Refrigerate

For longer storage, keep your chocolate truffles in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 2 weeks. The cool temperature helps maintain their shape and prevents spoilage and mold growth. Take them out about 15 minutes before serving for the best flavor and texture.

Freeze

For extended storage, chocolate truffles can be frozen for up to 3 months. Place them in a single layer in an airtight container with parchment paper between layers. Thaw in the refrigerator overnight, then let them come to room temperature before serving.

Chocolate Truffle Toppings

Choosing different toppings is the most exciting part of the process. We use the Microplane to finely grate ingredients over the truffles. The ingredients add specific flavors like banana and chocolate or chili to give it a spicy kick.

The Microplane is honestly one of our favorite kitchen tools and a MUST for making truffles. The flavor options are endless, but here are a few of our favorites:

• Freeze Dried Bananas, Strawberries and Raspberries
• Dried Chili Peppers
• Spices like Cinnamon, Nutmeg or Star Anise
• White Chocolate
• Crispy Bacon
• Oreo Cookies
• Meringue Cookies
• Ginger
• Citrus like Lemon, Lime and Orange

With the microplane you can get creative with ingredients to top the truffles. It finely grates the ingredients that are perfect for the tops of truffles.

Eden’s Tips

Quality Chocolate: Use the best quality chocolate you can find. The flavor of your truffles depends almost entirely on the chocolate you choose.

Fine Chopping: Chop the chocolate as finely as possible before adding the hot cream. This ensures it melts evenly without leaving chunks.

Strain Your Cream: Always pour the hot cream through a fine mesh strainer to catch any skin that formed while heating and ensure a smooth ganache.

Patience is Key: Let the ganache set completely before trying to roll it. If it’s too soft, your truffles will be misshapen and difficult to handle.

Chill Your Hands: If your hands get too warm while rolling the truffles, rinse them under cold water and dry them. This prevents the chocolate from melting as you shape it.

Do Chocolate Truffles Have Alcohol in Them?

Some recipes have alcohol as an ingredient. Recipe variations like pareve, cranberry, and champagne truffles have alcohol.

If you prefer some orange liqueur, add it to the melted ganache to dilute it and make the paste shinier.