Chocolate Truffles

Photo credit: © Eatwell101.com

Popular candy during the holidays, the chocolate truffle is easy to make. The basic ingredient is chocolate and the steps to achieving the truffles are relatively simple. The type of chosen chocolate influences greatly the quality of the final product. Chocolate with high cocoa rate is the most recommended among others. The recipe for the chocolate truffle is mainly to prepare the chocolate, especially by mixing it with cream and other ingredients. There are also chocolate truffles with a variety of flavors: vanilla, coffee, saffron, cinnamon. So how to make this little marvelous chocolate sweetness?

1. What is a chocolate truffle?

The chocolate truffle is a confection created in 1895 by Louis Dufour. It is a mixture of cocoa, cream, vanilla and chocolate. The preparation of the chocolate truffle requires a cooling phase. This candy is perfect for the holiday season and especially at Christmas. In addition, the chocolate truffle can be kept refrigerated up to three weeks.

The characteristics of the chocolate truffle

You can make chocolate truffles by yourslef. The preparation of the confectionery requires only about 20 minutes. Truffles are suitable for all occasions: birthdays, holidays and various especially at Christmas.

2. The cooking of chocolate truffles

The chocolate truffles are not only delicious but also easy to prepare. The ingredients can be found easily on the market and the preparation requires only a few minutes.

Chocolate truffles recipe

For thirty chocolate truffles, the following ingredients are necessary:

• 7 ounces (200 g) chocolate or dark chocolate,
• 1/2 cup (15 cl) whipping cream,
• 2 tbsp (30 g) unsalted butter, high quality
• 1 vanilla pod,
• cocoa powder
• 2 egg yolks,
• sugar.

It is recommended to prepare the chocolate truffle on the day before serving. To do this, vanilla should be cut vertically to remove the pulp. Then the cream is mixed with the powdered sugar, egg yolks, pulp and stems of vanilla. The resulting mixture should be boiled in a saucepan. After a few minutes, the pan is removed from the fire. Chocolate, grated previously, will be added to the mixture. Store the resulting paste in the refrigerator overnight.

The days of serving, it is necessary to melt the paste in a double boiler and add the butter. Then the paste is chilled. Use a small spoon to form the truffles, they will then be coated with cocoa. The decoration of this candy is very important. Therefore, it is advisable to place the truffles in paper packaging and folded refrigerate before serving. To diversify the truffles, it is possible to add dyes, nuts, spices and other additional ingredients.

Tips

The best technique for rolling the truffles is to use latex gloves. The dough is sticky if the truffles are rolled directly by hand. However, you can do this with two tablespoons. To place the truffles in the refrigerator, a dish or box with a lid are adequate. However, it is essential to separate the truffles with plastic wrap so they don’t stick together.

In the kitchen, it is always important to follow basic safety rules. This is the case when handling melted chocolate where direct contact with the material will burn.

3. Successful recipe for chocolate truffles

To make chocolate truffles quality, choice of chocolate is critical. Chocolate with high cocoa content —70%— is the most recommended. Mix it with whipped cream, which has been previously heated and mixed with other ingredients. Once everything is mixed, let it cool until it is consumed. It is recommended to eat the chocolate truffle after chilling.

Variations of chocolate truffles

The main difference in the variations of chocolate truffles is the ingredient used as a flavoring. The chocolatiers master offer chocolate truffles with vanilla, cinnamon, saffron, with brown or coffee. The different types of chocolate can also vary the taste of truffles. Finally, the presentation of the truffles is different. In addition to the different shapes and colors of truffles, small candy flake can be used for decoration.