With Valentine’s Day fast approaching, I thought it would fun to showcase a recipe I use to make some Easy Dark Chocolate Truffles. What I love about truffles is you can do so many things with them by adding different flavorings, various coatings, and they make such great gifts from the kitchen. And besides who doesn’t like chocolate. So here is my Valentine’s Day gift to you.
Easy Dark Chocolate Truffles
Ingredients: About 36 Truffles.
- 3/4 cup (1-1/2 sticks) butter
- 3/4 cup good quality Cocoa
- 1 14 oz. can sweetened condensed milk
- 1 tablespoon vanilla extract
- Truffles Coating: Cocoa, powdered sugar, colored decorative sugars, toasted chopped nuts or various sprinkles of choice.
Directions:
Melt the butter in a heavy 3.5 quart saucepan over very low heat. Add cocoa a little at a time and stir until blended and smooth. Add the sweetened condensed milk and increase heat to medium. Stir the mixture constantly for about 4 to 5 minutes or until the mixture is thick (but not stiff) and is smooth and glossy. Remove the mixture from the heat and stir in vanilla. Cover the chocolate and refrigerate for up to 4 to 6 hours or until very firm. Using a melon baller or small spoon, shape the chocolate into balls, about 1-inch. Once the ball made roll them in a coating of your choices such as cocoa, powdered sugar, chopped nuts or sprinkles. Refrigerate until firm, about 1 to 2 hours. Store truffles in a container in the refrigerator.
Note: To prevent burning don’t rush the melting of the butter. Take the time to thoroughly blend the cocoa and butter using the same care before you add the sweetened condensed milk. The type of cocoa you use will make a difference in the depth of the chocolate flavor. I use the Hershey’s Special Dark Cocoa in this recipe that made for a dark chocolate truffle.
Variations: The options are endless, but here are some recommendations.
- Rum or Flavored Brandy: Decrease the vanilla to 1 teaspoon and stir in 2 to 3 tablespoons of your favorite rum or brandy or 1 teaspoon rum extract.
- Mint or Fruit Flavored: Use mint extract or the fruit flavored extract in place of the vanilla.
Nut Flavored: Use nut flavored extract of choice in place of the vanilla.
- Coffee Flavored: Decrease the vanilla to 1 teaspoon. Stir in 1 teaspoon Starbucks Viva instant Columbian coffee at the time you would add the vanilla.
The hardest part of this recipe is allowing the chocolate to rest before you make your truffles. Then not eating them while you’re making them… seriously. The fact is you can make these anytime, and they would be a welcome gift for any chocolate lover out there. These chocolate truffles go especially well with a nice Sparkling Wine or Zinfandel. Enjoy.
Time to eat…
If you enjoyed this recipe, check out some of my others such as the Homemade Almond Clusters, Mini Creme Brûlée Mini Pies & Rustic Mixed Berry Tart. Have fun.