You may think of rich, tempting chocolate truffles as a gourmet indulgence, but they’re surprisingly easy to make at home. This guide explains how to make truffles, with plenty of photos and helpful hints along the way. (New to candy-making? Take a look at this list of common truffle mistakes first.)
What Are Truffles?
At their simplest, truffles are candy made from melted chocolate and cream. From there, the mixture can be made even more enticing by adding sugar, different flavors and even liqueurs. The chocolate mixture sets until it’s firm enough to scoop and mold into shape.
Then truffles can be rolled in coatings like cocoa powder, sprinkles, decorating sugars, finely chopped nuts and crushed cookies. You can also dip them in melted, tempered chocolate for a smooth finish.
How to Make Homemade Chocolate Truffles
This easy recipe for Chocolate Truffles was submitted by Darlene Wiese-Appleby of Creston, Ohio. It can be made with ingredients you probably have on hand: chocolate chips, sweetened condensed milk and vanilla. It couldn’t be simpler to whip up a batch. No need to wait for a special occasion!
Ingredients
- 3 cups semisweet chocolate chips
- 1 can (14 ounces) sweetened condensed milk
- 1 tablespoon vanilla extract
- Optional coatings: sprinkles, Dutch-processed cocoa, espresso powder, chopped nuts or cacao nibs
Tools You’ll Need
- Microwave-safe bowl for melting the chocolate
- Large spoon or silicone spatula
- A durable spring-loaded scoop, like this one, to scoop and mold the chocolate
Directions
Step 1: Mix ingredients
Pour the chocolate chips and sweetened condensed milk into a microwave-safe bowl. Microwave the ingredients in 30-second intervals, stirring after each interval, until the chocolate is melted and the mixture is smooth. This will only take one to two minutes. Stir in the vanilla extract.
Step 2: Chill the chocolate
Cover the chocolate mixture with plastic wrap and place the bowl in the fridge. Chill the chocolate for about two hours until it’s firm enough to roll.
Step 3: Shape the truffles
Use a small, spring-loaded scoop or a spoon to scoop the chocolate into a one-inch ball. Roll the ball between your palms to make a smooth truffle.
Step 4: Coat
Roll the truffle in the coatings of your choice. Fine ingredients like cocoa, espresso powder or shimmer dust will adhere easily. Textured coatings like sprinkles, chopped nuts and mini chocolate chips will need to be pressed into the surface of the truffles.
Here are several ways to give your truffles a delicious upgrade.
Step 5: Serve or store the truffles
The truffles can be served immediately or arranged in a single layer in a sealed container. Store truffles in the fridge and eat them within two weeks.
Tips for How to Make Chocolate Truffles
Use different chocolates
Substitute milk, white or dark chocolate chips for the semisweet chips to make different flavors. Keep in mind that white chocolate makes a truffle mixture that’s very soft—increase the quantity of white chocolate chips to 3-1/2 cups to help make the mixture firmer.
Mix it in advance
You can hold the chocolate mixture in the fridge for one to two days before rolling and shaping the truffles. Be sure the bowl is tightly wrapped. It will be very firm at this point, so let the mixture sit at room temperature for 30 minutes to an hour until it’s scoopable.
Make the coatings stick
Place your toppings (like sprinkles, cocoa powder, chopped nuts, etc.) in bowls instead of plates. It’ll be easier and less messy to roll the truffles through them. If your toppings aren’t sticking, try rolling the truffle gently between your palms to warm and soften the surface.
Semisweet and dark chocolates make firmer truffles, which work well with fine coatings like cocoa or espresso powders. Truffles made with milk or white chocolate will be softer. Textured coatings like sprinkles, mini chocolate chips, decorating sugar or chopped nuts will stick more easily to a softer truffle.
Dip them in chocolate
Truffles dipped in melted chocolate are particularly elegant, and have a snap when you bite into them. Using tempered chocolate is important here, to give your truffles a flawless and firm coating.
Gently dip your truffle in the chocolate, or hold the truffle on the tines of a fork while you spoon the chocolate over it. Transfer the truffle to a sheet of waxed paper. Add decorations to the top of the chocolate while it’s wet, like chopped nuts or holiday sprinkles. Let the truffles rest until the chocolate hardens. You can drizzle contrasting shades of melted chocolate over the tops of the set truffles.
Strawberry Chocolate Truffles
The ever-popular combination of strawberries and chocolate shines in these rich, decadent truffles. I often double the recipe to give as gifts. —Pat Habiger, Spearville, Kansas (Check out these tips for making chocolate truffles!)
Mocha Truffles
Nothing compares to the melt-in-your-mouth flavor of these truffles...or to the simplicity of the recipe. Whenever I make them for my family or friends, they're quickly devoured. No one has to know how easy they are to prepare! —Stacy Abell, Olathe, Kansas (Here's how to store chocolate truffles!)
Easy Truffles
Our smooth, creamy bonbons are so divine you may be tempted to save this recipe for a special occasion. But with just a few ingredients, they're easy to make anytime. —Taste of Home Test Kitchen
Creme de Menthe Truffles
I found this in a box of recipe clippings and decided to give them a whirl. I'm so glad I did! The minty flavor is perfect for Christmas. —Joe Mattes, Amana, Iowa
Chocolate Mascarpone Truffles
These luscious, satiny truffles are so versatile...omit the pistachos and try all three variations listed below. —Diane Fuqua, Baltimore, Maryland
Chocolate-Covered Peanut Butter & Pretzel Truffles
Sweet chocolate, creamy peanut butter and salty pretzels create a to-die-for truffle. It’s a little bite of decadence and a special indulgence for the holiday season.—Ashley Wisniewski, Champaign, Illinois
Chocolate Truffles
You may be tempted to save these chocolate truffles for a special occasion since these smooth, creamy chocolates are divine. But with just a few ingredients, this truffle recipe is easy to make anytime. —Darlene Wiese-Appleby, Creston, Ohio
Peanut Butter Snowballs
This recipe for peanut butter ball cookies is a nice change from the typical milk chocolate and peanut butter combination. I once prepared them for a bake sale at my granddaughter's school, and I've also put them in gift boxes to share with neighbors at Christmas. —Wanda Regula, Birmingham, Michigan
Truffle Cherries
Chocolate is popular at our house, especially during the holidays, so these double chocolate gems never last long! —Anne Drouin, Dunnville, Ontario
Kahlua Truffles
I discovered this recipe tucked away in a box of my mother's things. It's such a sweet way to remember her at Christmastime. —Betsy King, Duluth, Elizabeth King, Duluth, Minnesota
Caramel Truffles
These candies disappear as fast as I can make them. The five-ingredient microwave recipe is easy and fun to make. When drizzled with white chocolate and packaged with ribbon, they're a pretty gift. —Charlotte Midthun, Granite Falls, Minnesota
German Chocolate Pecan Truffles
My sister-in-law, Jennifer, loves German chocolate. With her in mind, I experimented in the kitchen and came up with nutty truffles. They make a fun gift packed in a festive box or tin.The post How to Make Truffles appeared first on Taste of Home.
Nancy Mock