A Valentine's Treat: Truffles

by Catherine Ipcizade | More from this Blogger

13 Feb 2007 09:00 AM

Have you ever eaten a truffle? If not, you must try one. They're creamy, rich, and delicious. A good truffle can cost you more than $2.00 in a chocolate shop. But the good news is that you can make them at home and surprise your sweetheart for much less.

Sometimes truffles are served in gourmet chocolate shops with a hard chocolaty coating, but more popularly, they are simply rolled in cocoa powder or confectioner's sugar for a melt-in-your-mouth treat you won't soon forget. If you're wondering what sweet treat to make the love of your life this holiday, truffles are the way to go. They'll temp even the pickiest of tongues and melt the hardest of hearts.

For this recipe you'll need:

½ pound semi sweet chocolate

½ pound bitter chocolate

1-cup heavy cream

½ teaspoon Pure Vanilla Extract (may substitute with Raspberry extract if you'd like)

1 TB hot prepared coffee

2 TB Grand Marnier (optional)

Cocoa powder and confectioner's sugar (powdered sugar) for rolling

To make this recipe:

Chop the chocolates finely using a sharp knife. Place in a large bowl.

Heat the cream in a small saucepan until it just comes to a boil. Pour the cream over the chopped chocolate and use a whisk to slowly combine, as the cream melts the chocolate. Add the remaining ingredients and stir.

Let the mixture sit for approximately one hour, until the mixture is hardened enough to be formed into balls. Using a melon baller, or two spoons, scoop out the truffles and place them on parchment paper. (Dip the melon baller in hot water in between uses to keep the chocolate from sticking)

Finally, roll half of the truffles in cocoa powder and the other half in confectioner's sugar.

Tip: If you're in a bit of a hurry, you can place the truffle mixture in the refrigerator to speed up setting time.

Try these, too!

Amazing Chocolate Bites

Learn more about Catherine Ipcizade

Cathy Ipcizade is 30 years old and currently resides in Southern California. Prior to coming to California she grew up in Arizona.

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