Handmade Chocolate Truffles

With an abundance of recipes online, making handmade chocolate truffles can be a rewarding experience. While we all crave a chocolate fix every one in a while, these decadent recipes serve several purposes.

Dark chocolate can actually lower blood pressure according to recent studies. Although any type of chocolate should be consumed in moderation, experts suggest that having a bar of dark chocolate can contribute to healthy blood vessel function. This, in conjunction with a balanced diet and exercise, is a perfect recipe in and of itself.

Choosing the best chocolate for handmade truffles is the key. While most confectioners utilize both semisweet and bittersweet chocolate in their recipes, you can choose either as the basis of your truffles. It all depends on how rich you would like your truffles to be.

The general consensus, however, is choosing among the following: Ghiradelli is by far the best semisweet chocolate, while Lindt is considered to be the best bittersweet chocolate. There are truffle recipes, however, in which only semisweet chocolate is used. In addition, dark chocolate has a higher cacao content which allows for considerably a more intense flavor but, at the same time, has less sugar.

To understand the difference, cacao refers to the bean while cocoa refers to the powder. However, it should also be noted that a high cocoa content does not automatically guarantee the flavor. In actuality, it is the quality of the beans and how they are processed that determines the taste of the chocolate.

You may have also heard references made to the cacao content in chocolate. The higher the cacao content, especially when making homemade chocolate truffles, the better able you will be to control the flavor and sweetness.

Utilizing the best chocolate will yield the most delicious handmade chocolate truffles. Therefore, choose Lindt and Ghiradelli chocolates when making handmade chocolate truffles.

At the same time, while some recipes call for cocoa powder to cover the surface of the truffle, others may recommend a chocolate coating. In addition, you may also wish to use chopped nuts or coconut to coat the truffles as well. It all depends upon your preference and taste.

So too, you may also like to add a liqueur to your chocolate to give it an extra zing! Some recipes call for Grand Marnier, while others prefer an orange-flavored liqueur. It is a known fact that orange and chocolate make a wonderful combination.

Handmade chocolate truffles are, to say the least, not only guilty pleasures but can satisfy even the most discerning chocolate aficionado. Remember, too, dark chocolate is a healthy alternative to milk chocolate. Therefore, if want to satisfy your sweet tooth, make a batch of chocolate truffles. It’s also a wonderful gift you can give to family and friends on holidays. Who can resist?