These bite-sized, melt in the mouth truffles are so simple to make, and a perfect dessert for any meal. They are also ideal for parties over the festive season!
This recipe will make approximately 45-60 truffles. The preparation time will be about 30 minutes, with about 2 1/2 hours of cooling and setting time.
Ingredients:
- 225g Plain chocolate (I use Green and Blacks)
- 175ml of double or whipping cream
- Icing sugar or Cocoa Powder
- Icing sugar for dusting
Method:
- Cover a large chopping board, or baking tray completely with either clingfilm or baking paper, ready for when the truffles will need to set.
- Using a saucepan, bring the cream to the boil on a low heat.
- Add the chocolate, broken into chunks, to the cream and melt. Mix throughly and be careful that the chocolate doesn't burn.
- Pour the mixture, also called a ganche, into a large mixing bowl and leave to cool. This should take approximately 1-1 1/2 hours at room temperature. If you do need to speed up the cooling time, you can pop the mixture in the fridge after about 20 minutes, or put the bowl in a sink of cold water. But don't allow any of the water to mix with the ganache.
- Once the mixture has completely set, use a teaspoon to spoon out bite sized pieces. Use the icing sugar to dust your hands lightly so that the mixture doesn't stick and begin rolling the pieces of mixture into balls with your hands.
- Roll the truffles in the cocoa powder or icing sugar.
- Place on the tray and leave to set.
The truffles will last for at least a week. If you do want the truffles to last longer, dip them in melted chocolate (Approximately 170g) before you dust them with the cocoa powder or icing sugar. This will also give them a crunch, and will help the coating stick completely.
There are lots of ways you can alter the truffles to suit different tastes. If you'd like alcoholic truffles, add 75ml of Rum, Brandy or Amaretto (You can use whatever alcohol you like though) to the chocolate and cream as you are melting it, then continue as above.
Or, when forming the mixture into balls, you can add nuts, such as chopped almonds, for an added crunch.
For those who are not a fan of plain chocolate, use milk or white chocolate instead, keeping the amounts the same.
All that's left to do now is to enjoy eating these perfect little truffles. They are also great as small Christmas gifts.
 |
