Dark Chocolate Truffles {Easy Ganache Recipe}
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Dark chocolate truffles are easy to make at home, so they are a fantastic edible gift for any holiday, from Valentine’s Day to Christmas. Rich and dark, flavor them with liqueur or leave them plain. Roll truffles in a variety of chopped nuts or dusted in cocoa or sugar.
They are made from simple chocolate ganache which is a basis for so many desserts. If you’re a dark chocolate lover, these homemade chocolate truffles are for you. (This post was originally posted on December 8th, 2011, making it one of my earliest recipes).
What is ganache?
Ganache is just chocolate and cream. Heat cream just to boiling, then add chopped chocolate mixing until smooth. If you chose, you can add any flavor of liqueur at this point. Chill ganache for a few hours or overnight if you’ll be using it for truffles. Ganache is the base for these truffles. It is also the perfect base for filling, cookies or cakes, or as a Chocolate Sauce. It’s the smooth shiny icing on cakes like this dark Chocolate Ganache Cake.
Why are they called “truffles”?
Cocoa dusted chocolate truffles are thought to resemble real truffles, which is how they got their name.
Ingredients for dark chocolate truffles
Use high quality dark chocolate like Scharffen Berger dark chocolate chips. You can find high quality chocolate the baking aisle of grocery stores. Look for Ghirardelli or Guittard.
- heavy cream
- unsalted butter
- sugar
- dark chocolate
- cocao powder
Types of dark chocolate
Not all dark chocolate is created equal. The darker the chocolate the more intense the chocolate flavor. Dark chocolate percentages refer to the amount of cocoa in a bar in relation to other ingredients like sugars or flavorings. So a 62% dark chocolate is 62% chocolate and contains 38% other ingredients. Generally the darker the chocolate, the more health benefits it contains. Milk chocolate contains the most sugar and would make a much sweeter truffle. White chocolate is technically not considered a “chocolate” at all.
How do you make truffles?
For these sumptuous truffles, I like to make a few flavors and then top each with chopped nuts or a dusting of cocoa powder. Once the chocolate ganache is chilled, make an assembly line of sorts. I usually work with just one flavor at a time so the liqueurs and nuts don’t mix with one another.
- In a heavy sauce pan, heat cream and butter just until it comes to a boil.
- Remove from heat and add chopped chocolate to hot cream.
- Stir until all the chocolate is melted and mixture is smooth.
- Add liqueur to melted chocolate and stir.
- Refrigerate until cold and firm in an airtight container, a couple of hours or over-night.
- Using a small cookie scoop or teaspoon, scoop out truffle mixture and roll into small balls.
- The truffles should be the size of walnuts.
- Roll them in nuts or cocoa.
- I like to chill the truffles once again if the kitchen is warm.
- Chill the truffles before placing them in candy cups.
Looking for more delicious treats?
Basic Chocolate Ganache
Ingredients
- 1 1/4 cups heavy cream
- 4 tablespoons unsweetened butter
- 1 pound dark chocolate or bittersweet, chopped
- 1/4 cup liqueur Amaretto, Grand Marnier, Cognac or brandy
- 1/4 cup cocoa powder
Instructions
- Heat cream and butter just to boiling.
- Remove from heat and add chopped chocolate.
- Stir until all the chocolate is melted and mixture is smooth.
- Add liqueur and stir.
- Refrigerate until cold and firm, a couple of hours or over-night.
- Using a teaspoon measure out and roll into balls. Roll in cocoa or nuts.
- Refrigerate until ready to package or serve.
Notes
- Amaretto with chopped toasted almonds
- Frangelico with chopped toasted hazelnuts
- Grand Marnier with cocoa powder
- Brandy with chopped walnuts
I’m such a fan of these. They are super simple and with a quality chocolate like Callebaut, it’s hard to go wrong.
good quality chocolate is key!
These look soooo amazing! And I am like you with the almond extract lol. I love it in almost everything!
lol! it’s my perfume!
I used make truffles every year as gifts at Christmastime, but got out of the habit! They are absolutely perfect little treats to give to so many people. Yours look lovely!
such a quick and easy holiday treat!
YUM! These chocolate truffles look so delicious and easy to make! Perfect as a quick snack to make for my Christmas party this Saturday 🙂
they make a nice holiday hostess gift too!
These look incredible. I love making truffles, something so decadent and luxurious about them isn’t there?
I agree! the perfect holiday treat!
I love truffles around Christmas time! These look so simple and so tasty!
so easy and delicious!
What a wonderful and easy recipe. Will make a great gifts for holidays. Thanks for sharing. Also check out my new baking website https://greedyeats.com/ if you get a chance.
I love chocolate ganache in truffles. But, I have never had a go at making my own, this would be a fun festive activity
I love a good chocolate truffle! I always purchase them this time of year, but this year I think I will try your recipe and see about making my own.
Thank you for this. Our boys are asking again and again for some chocolate treats and this looks like that perfect treat. Will definitely save and try this.
I never thought it would be easy to make truffles at home!!! I can’t wait to make it, so so good!!!!
so easy!
Truffles are so rich. Perfect for the holiday season.
yes they are! Perfect for a holiday indulgence!
I’ve never tried making my own truffles before. But this recipe looks reasonably easy so maybe I should, they do look super tasty x
yes they are so easy!
These look great! We always make truffles during the holidays so I’ll be sure to add these to our list this year.