TRUFFLES

In 1894, on February 9^th, Hershey’s Chocolate was founded.  One of my favorite ways to use chocolate for Tea Time is in truffles, which are a lot easier to make than you might think.

Truffles are a fungus and the confectionery varieties have been named for their resemblance to these esteemed edible lumpy balls which form at the roots of several species of trees. The chocolate truffle was first created in 1895 in France by Dufour and typically has a chocolate ganache center rolled in various coatings.

Here’s a basic recipe as well as some variations:

BASIC TRUFFLES: Place 16 oz semisweet chocolate chips in bowl. Bring 1c heavy cream to scalding point and add to chocolate and allow to sit 1-2 mins before stirring then gently whisk until smooth to form a ganache. Pour into small bowl, cover and refrigerate several hours. Use melon baller to form truffles or simply roll in balls between your hands.

CHOCOLATE MINT TRUFFLES: Combine 1c heavy cream and 1Tbs spearmint in saucepan and bring to scalding point, strain and discard leaves.
COATING: powdered sugar or coconut

ORANGE-ALMOND TRUFFLES: Add 1Tbs grated orange peel and ½ c chopped almonds
COATING: cocoa powder

CHOCO-PEANUT BUTTER TRUFFLES: Add 1/2c chunky peanut butter
COATING: powdered sugar, chopped peanuts

FRENCH CHOCOLATE TRUFFLES: Use 8oz unsweetened chocolate & 4oz German sweet chocolate plus sweetened condensed milk
COATING: crushed nuts

FRUIT & NUT TRUFFLES: Add 1c dried cherries, cranberries or raisins and 1c roasted pistachios, pecans, peanuts or walnuts
COATING: cocoa, powdered sugar

SPICY TRUFFLES: Add a pinch of cayenne pepper
COATING: cocoa

If you want to try something different:

BASIC CREAM CHEESE TRUFFLES: Cream 1-8oz package cream cheese, add crushed cookies or powdered sugar, roll into balls and dip in melted chocolate

CHOCOLATE OREO TRUFFLES: Crush 6 Oreo cookies and set aside. Crush 36 Oreo cookies to fine crumbs and add cream cheese
COATING: melted chocolate and sprinkle with reserved cookie crumbs

CHERRY ALMOND TRUFFLES: Add 1c chopped toasted almonds, 1/2c chopped maraschino cherries, and 1c powdered sugar
COATING: white chocolate

 

"So whether you eat or drink, or whatever you do,

do it all for the glory of God"

I Corinthians 10:31