How to Make Chocolate Truffles

The BEST Chocolate Truffle Recipe

What is a chocolate truffle?

A chocolate truffle is essentially a firm ganache, made of melted chocolate, cream, butter, and flavorings, shaped into balls and coated. It’s super simple but impressive.

What do you need to make chocolate truffles?

• Baking chocolate (not chocolate chips!)
• Butter
• Heavy cream
• Tempered chocolate for coating – learn how to temper chocolate here!

How to make chocolate truffles that are smooth and creamy:

A bonus dose of butter and heavy cream help make these truffles rich and creamy. Don’t use light cream or half and half which contains less fat. That fat is essential to setting up these truffles.

What kind of chocolate should I use for truffles?

To ensure they turn out nice and smooth, use finely chopped high quality baking chocolate.

Do not use chocolate chips, which include ingredients that prevent them from fully melting to help preserve that chip shape even after baking (think chocolate chip cookies).

I love to chop up bars of Ghirardelli chocolate, or even the Trader Joe’s Pound Plus chocolate as an economic and convenient option. A serrated knife is best for chopping chocolate. The smaller the pieces, the more quickly and evenly they’ll melt.

If you want to splurge on super high quality and delightful chocolate, try Guittard, Scharffen Berger, or Valrhona. You can find these brands at gourmet grocery stores, sometimes even Target or Whole Foods, as well as kitchen supply stores. Or simply order online!

Do I have to semisweet chocolate? Can I use something different?

I personally think semisweet chocolate lends the perfect balance of sweetness and chocolate flavor. You can use bittersweet instead, if you’d like.

If you use milk chocolate, reduce the amount of cream by 2 tablespoons.

This recipe does not work with white chocolate which doesn’t contain cocoa butter.

Do I have to use corn syrup?

Nope! It’s an optional ingredient. It simply helps to keep the truffles smooth and fudgy without getting too hard.

Do I have to use alcohol or liqueur?

Nope! But it adds a wonderful punch of flavor. Some of my favorite options include:

• Rum
• Brandy
• Bourbon
• Raspberry liqueur (such as Chambord)
• Orange liqueur (such as Grand Marnier)
• Hazelnut liqueur (such as Frangelico)
• Irish cream (such as Bailey’s)
• Coffee liqueur (such as Kahlua)

Chocolate truffle flavor ideas:

If you didn’t want to use liqueur to flavor your truffles as listed above, here are some more options. You could even couple these options with some of the coating ideas below!

• 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
• 1 teaspoon almond extract
• 1 teaspoon orange extract
• 1 teaspoon coconut extract
• 1/2 teaspoon peppermint extract
• 1 teaspoon ground cinnamon + 1/4 teaspoon cayenne
• 1 teaspoon instant espresso powder

How to shape truffles:

Use a spring loaded scoop to make quick work of shaping perfectly uniform truffles. It’s important that the truffle mixture be well chilled, otherwise it’ll just be a mess and your balls won’t hold their shape.

Pop the scoops of truffle filling onto a parchment lined rimmed baking sheet and refrigerate until slightly hardened, about 15 minutes. This makes them MUCH easier to roll into smooth balls.

Roll the balls between your palms to smooth into even spheres. Use disposable gloves to prevent your hands from melting the chocolate. Or, dip your hands in ice water every few minutes as you roll the truffles. If the chocolate begins to melt too much, return to the fridge.

How to dip truffles in chocolate:

Make sure your shaped truffles have been chilling for at least 30 minutes before dipping in chocolate. They should be nice and firm.

Your chocolate should be completely smooth and melted but not scalding hot. Place the chocolate in a small but deep heat proof bowl. This allows you to reheat the chocolate in the microwave if it gets too cold and hard.

Use tempered chocolate to get a professional snappy and shiny coating which stays hard without refrigeration.

Avoid swirling the truffles in chocolate. Drop your truffle in the chocolate and spoon the chocolate over the top. Swirling can make a mess.

Use a fork or chocolate dipping tool to lift the truffle out of the chocolate. The excess chocolate will drip down through the tines of the fork or tool.

Tap your hand, not the fork, to allow the excess to drip off. This prevents you from damaging the truffle or creating an uneven chocolate coating.

Use a toothpick to help transfer the truffle from the fork to your cookie sheet for minimal pooling of chocolate at the base of the truffle.

How to coat chocolate truffles:

If you’d prefer to coat your truffles instead of dipping them in chocolate, below are some of my favorite options.

• Chopped nuts (like pecans, pistachios, or hazelnuts)
• Unsweetened natural cocoa powder
• Sprinkles
• Crushed freeze dried strawberries or raspberries
• Shredded coconut
• Powdered sugar

Some more inventive coating ideas:

• Finely chopped crystallized ginger
• Matcha powder
• Crushed peppermint candy canes

Simply place your chosen coating in a small bowl. Dip the truffle in and turn to coat completely, pressing in the coating if needed. If your truffles are too cold and hard, they may not coat easily. Allow to warm up slightly.

How to store chocolate truffles:

The truffles can be made ahead of time and stored in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 2 weeks.

How to gift chocolate truffles:

For wrapping and gifting chocolate coated truffles, I highly recommend using tempered chocolate. This way it won’t get soft and melty. Instead, it’ll stay nice and hard, shiny, and snappy.

Placing the truffles inside a small festive gift box is such a treat! Treat boxes & bags are easily found at stores like Michael’s or Hobby Lobby.

You could even use a plastic egg container for an upcycled option. Or a mason jar for a reusable option.

If gifting truffles coated in something a little messy, I’d highly recommend using mini cupcake liners to place each truffle into.