These chocolate truffles are a luxurious yet approachable treat, perfect for gifting or enjoying as an indulgent everyday snack.
Made from simple dark chocolate and cream, the truffles offer a smooth, creamy texture and a rich chocolate flavor without requiring professional skills.
Despite their decadent taste, they deliver small portions of plant-based protein from chocolate and healthy fats from butter, making them satisfying and energy-boosting.
Lightly coated in cocoa, nuts, or coconut, they can add fiber and texture, enhancing their nutritional appeal.
Quick to prepare yet elegant in presentation, these truffles are ideal for last-minute gifts, dessert tables, or coffee accompaniments.
The chilled ganache can be made ahead of time, making them a convenient, make-ahead indulgence that melts beautifully at room temperature for maximum enjoyment.
Must-Have Tools for Perfect Results
Microwave-Safe Bowl
Essential for gently melting chocolate, cream, and butter without scorching. Beyond truffles, it’s perfect for custards, sauces, or quick chocolate melts.
Spatula
Ideal for stirring ganache smoothly and scraping every bit from bowls. A versatile kitchen tool for mixing batters, folding ingredients, and spreading icings.
Refrigerator
Key for chilling ganache to the right firmness for rolling. Refrigeration is also critical for desserts, doughs, and prepping make-ahead meals.
Small Plates or Bowls
Used for holding coatings like cocoa, nuts, or sprinkles for rolling truffles. They’re versatile for portioning ingredients, serving snacks, or organizing mise en place.
Measuring Spoons & Cups
Ensures precise measurements for consistent texture and flavor. Useful for all baking and cooking projects for accuracy and reliability.
Creamy Chocolate Truffles
Equipment
- Microwave-Safe Bowl – 1
- Spatula – 1
- Refrigerator – 1
- Small Plates or Bowls – 2–4
- Measuring cups & spoons set
Ingredients
For the Ganache:
- 285 g 10 oz dark chocolate melts (chocolate chips or coarsely chopped block)
- 2 Tbsp 30 g unsalted butter
- 1/2 cup 125 ml full-fat cream
For Coating Options (choose any):
- 1/2 cup desiccated coconut
- 1/4 cup unsweetened cocoa powder Dutch-processed for darker color
- 1/2 cup crushed peanuts small pieces for sticking
- 1/3 cup sprinkles or similar
- 1/4 cup powdered icing sugar
Instructions
- Melt Chocolate & Cream: Place the dark chocolate, unsalted butter, and full-fat cream in a microwave-safe bowl. Heat on high in 4 intervals of 30 seconds, stirring thoroughly between each session. This gentle, incremental heating prevents the chocolate from burning and ensures a smooth, glossy ganache.
- Rest & Blend: Cover the bowl with a plate or lid and let it sit for 5 minutes. After resting, stir until all chocolate is fully melted and the mixture is uniform, silky, and shiny. This is the base ganache for your truffles.
- Chill Ganache: Transfer the ganache to the refrigerator for 6 hours. Do not rush this step by freezing; proper chilling ensures the ganache firms to the ideal consistency for rolling into balls while maintaining creamy texture.
- Prepare Rolling Station: Place a plate or tray in the refrigerator to chill for rolling the truffles. Set out your chosen coatings (cocoa, coconut, nuts, sprinkles, or icing sugar) in shallow bowls for easy access.
- Scoop & Shape: Once the ganache is firm but pliable, use a tablespoon to scoop the mixture. Roll gently between your hands into a smooth ball. Chill your hands on a cold pack or bag of frozen peas as needed to prevent sticking and maintain the ganache’s consistency.
- Coat Truffles: Roll each ganache ball in the desired coating until evenly covered. Work quickly to prevent the truffles from warming too much and losing their shape. Repeat until all truffles are coated and ready to serve.
- Serve & Enjoy: Arrange the truffles on a chilled plate and allow them to come to room temperature before serving. At room temperature, the ganache is luxuriously creamy, offering a melt-in-your-mouth texture similar to gourmet truffles, perfect for gifting, dessert platters, or pairing with coffee.
Notes
- Chocolate Choice Matters: Use dark cooking chocolate from the baking aisle; it melts smoothly and sets perfectly. Everyday chocolate chips work fine, but premium chocolate enhances flavor and texture.
- Ganache Consistency: Chill the ganache long enough to firm but not harden completely. It should be soft enough to scoop and roll without sticking to your hands.
- Rolling Tips: Keep your hands cold using an ice pack or frozen peas to prevent the ganache from melting while rolling. Work quickly to maintain shape.
- Coating Ideas: Classic cocoa powder is simple and elegant. You can also try desiccated coconut, crushed nuts, sprinkles, icing sugar, or creative decorations like crushed candy canes.
- Flavors & Variations: Add a splash of liquor, espresso, orange zest, or peppermint extract to the ganache before chilling for a customized flavor.
- Serving Temperature: Always serve at room temperature to enjoy the creamy, melt-in-your-mouth texture. Chilled truffles can be too firm and lose that signature indulgence.
Chef’s Top Tips For Excellence
Perfect truffles rely on a smooth ganache and careful handling.
Gradually melting chocolate with cream and butter avoids scorching and maintains a silky texture.
Firm chilling is essential; too soft, and the truffles won’t hold shape, too hard, and rolling becomes difficult.
Keeping your hands cold prevents sticking and preserves the glossy finish.
Using a variety of coatings not only adds texture and visual appeal but also enhances flavor combinations.
Small tweaks, like adding extracts or liqueurs, can transform a simple truffle into a gourmet treat, making this recipe both versatile and customizable for any occasion.
Serving Suggestions To Impress Guests
Chocolate truffles are perfect for gifting, coffee accompaniments, or elegant dessert platters.
Present them in small cupcake liners for individual servings, or arrange them on a decorative plate with assorted toppings.
Pair with espresso, hot chocolate, or a sweet dessert wine for a refined touch.
These truffles are also excellent for holiday celebrations, birthdays, or as thoughtful homemade gifts.
For a festive twist, roll truffles in colored sprinkles or crushed candy canes to match seasonal themes.
Storage Tips For Maximum Freshness
Store truffles in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3–4 weeks.
To maintain optimal texture, allow them to come to room temperature before serving.
For longer-term storage, truffles can be frozen in a single layer on a tray, then transferred to a sealed container for up to 3 months.
Avoid stacking uncoated truffles to prevent sticking.
When ready to serve, thaw in the fridge or at room temperature for several hours to enjoy the creamy ganache consistency.
Frequently Asked Truffle Questions
1. Can I make truffles vegan?
Yes! Use dairy-free chocolate, coconut cream or plant-based cream, and vegan butter. The process remains the same, and the truffles will still have a rich, creamy texture.
2. How long do truffles last?
Refrigerated truffles stay fresh for up to 4 weeks. Freezing extends their life up to 3 months. Always serve at room temperature for optimal creaminess.
3. Can I add flavors to the ganache?
Absolutely! Liqueurs, coffee, citrus zest, or extracts like peppermint or almond can be added before chilling for a personalized gourmet touch.
4. Why won’t my ganache firm?
If the ganache is too soft, chill longer in the refrigerator. Make sure to use the proper chocolate-to-cream ratio, and avoid rushing the chilling step.
5. What coatings work best?
Cocoa powder, desiccated coconut, crushed nuts, icing sugar, or sprinkles are excellent choices. Each adds flavor, texture, and visual appeal, making your truffles more festive and professional-looking.
This recipe has been adapted and simplified from the original version by recipetineats. We’ve refined the steps for a smoother cooking experience and added helpful notes, nutrition insights, and essential kitchen tools to make it even easier for home cooks.
