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Chocolate Truffles

17/11/2023

I can provide you with the recipe for some delicious chocolate truffles, ideal for a sweet end to a meal or to accompany an afternoon coffee. Here is how to prepare them:

Ingredients

  • 250 g of good quality dark chocolate
  • 150 ml of whipping cream
  • 50 g of butter
  • 2 tablespoons of liquor of your choice (optional, for example rum or Grand Marnier)
  • Cocoa powder, chopped hazelnuts, shredded coconut or ground pistachios for coating

Preparation

  1. Begin by finely chopping the dark chocolate and placing it in a heatproof bowl.
  2. Heat the whipping cream in a small saucepan until almost boiling. It does not need to bubble over, just very hot.
  3. Pour the hot cream over the chopped chocolate and let it sit for a minute so the chocolate starts to melt.
  4. After a minute, stir with a spatula or wooden spoon until a smooth and homogeneous cream is obtained.
  5. Add the butter in pieces and, if you wish, the 2 tablespoons of your chosen liquor. Stir until the butter has completely melted and blended with everything.
  6. Cover the bowl with a sheet of cling film and let the mixture cool in the refrigerator for at least 4 hours, until the mass is solid enough to be shaped.
  7. Once the mass has hardened, use a teaspoon or an ice cream scoop to take portions, and quickly roll them between the palms of your hands to form balls.
  8. Roll the truffles in cocoa powder, chopped hazelnuts, grated coconut, or ground pistachios, depending on your preferred coating.
  9. Store the truffles in the refrigerator until time to serve.

Curiosity

Chocolate truffles are named after the truffle fungi because of their irregular shape and appearance that resembles these prized fungi. They are a typical sweet of the French tradition but have spread all over the world thanks to their rich flavor and simplicity of preparation.

As an Italian twist, you might replace the liquor with a typical Italian liqueur such as Amaretto or Limoncello, to give a distinctive note to your sweet. Moreover, you can experiment with spices such as chili or flavors like orange or vanilla to create unique combinations.