How To Make Chocolate Truffles in 4 Easy Steps

Chocolate truffles are one of the most popular confectionaries around. This is because despite its fancy coatings and rich ingredients, it’s easy to make and to store. Another reason is because aside from being the delectable dessert that it is, chocolate truffles make great gifts. Since truffles allow for much variety, you can easily make them according to the special preferences of the person you are giving it to. Every batch can have its very own twist which your guests definitely will love.

Ingredients

Truffles make use of several ingredients such as dark chocolate. This can be unsweetened or semi-sweet, depending on your preferences. You will also need a cup of heavy cream, unsalted butter, dark cocoa powder and a little water.

The Right Tools

Like any cooking endeavor, you need to have the right tools and equipment to make a successful batch of truffles. You will need a chopping board, a medium-sized cooking pan, a small cooking pan, a large bowl, a medium-sized bowl, a large knife, teaspoon, spatula, a whisk and a small tray, ice cream scoop and serving bowl.

How To Make Them

As mentioned, you don’t need to get a degree in confectionery to be able to make chocolate truffles. This simple step-by-step procedure will teach you how to make a good batch in 4 easy steps.

Step 1: The Bain Marie or the Double Boiler

Broiling or Bain Marie is a heating technique where two containers are place one on top of the other. The ingredient to be cooked or heated is placed on top of a larger pan with simmering water.

Heat one liter of water in the medium-sized cooking pan and turn it to high heat. Allow it to simmer.

Step 2 : The Chocolates

Your chocolate bar or Ganache will warm and melt quicker when in chunks. Chop the chocolate bar into smaller pieces and allow it to melt using the broiler or Bain Marie while it is simmering. To help the chocolate melt even faster, you can opt to heat it in the microwave before pouring it into the Bain Marie. A word of caution, though: make sure you constantly stir the mixture to avoid it from burning and sticking to the bottom of the container.

Step 3: The Butter-Chocolate Mixture

Add the butter and when everything is melted and mixed perfectly into an even consistency, turn off the heat, remove the pan and pour the Ganache or chocolate mix into a large bowl. Even out the chocolate on the pan using a spatula and refrigerate it for a few hours until stiff. To avoid the chocolate from forming a film, simply cover it in plastic wrap.

Step 4: Making the Truffles

Now comes the fun and the tasty part: when the Ganache has cooled, you can start forming the truffles. Prepare the soft chocolate Ganache on a work surface. Using your ice cream scoop, get a small amount of the Ganache. The idea is to use your palms when forming it into a small ball. Roll each chocolate ball into your cocoa powder. Make sure the truffles are completely covered in cocoa powder before placing them in a container.

Variety

Truffles can be made and enjoyed in different varieties. By substituting one ingredient with another, you can create truffles with interesting taste that will definitely please your guests.

Cocoa Powder – Instead of rolling the truffles in cocoa butter, you can substitute it with cinnamon, chopped nuts, confectioner’s sugar, coconut, or coffee crystals.
Butter – Some individuals also like to half the original amount of butter and substitute it with milk. Aside from milk, you can also keep the original amount of butter and just a peanut butter for a different flavor.

When it comes to chocolate truffles, there are really no hard-and-fast rules as to what to coat it with. As long as the basic procedure is followed, anyone can make chocolate truffles as well as your local corner chocolate shop!