Easy Dark Chocolate Truffles [Recipe] (2024)

Ah, truffles. The chocolate version of butter. This recipe for easy dark chocolate truffles is everything you’ve dreamed truffles should be and more, if I dare say so myself. And well… You can’t get much simpler: These truffles are made with only 2 ingredients (+whatever you want to roll/dip them in).

Anyone who knows me knows that I’ve made a few truffles in my day. But this was a bit of a new way of making them, and I thought, “Why not post the recipe?” So here I am.

I have heard of making truffles with equal parts chocolate and cream, so at first I tried that… And the ganache was a little too runny for my taste. So, I adjusted the amounts. Perhaps it’s because I’m using chocolate chips? Usually, you want to use as high a quality of chocolate you can get… and I know, chocolate chips are probably at the bottom of the line in that department. They do work though, and I figure most of you guys are gonna have chocolate chips in your house more often than Belgian dark chocolate couverture. 😉 So, chocolate chips it is!

You can start by gathering up your ingredients and a few supplies:

Ingredients:
2 c. semi sweet chocolate chips (I like Baker’s or Hershey‘s best)
1 c. heavy whipping cream (NO substitutes!)

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You will need:

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The Method

First, you’re gonna want to make the ganache. Place the chocolate chips in a small-medium heat resistant bowl and set aside. Next, in a small, heavy bottomed saucepan, bring your cream *just* to a boil. Pour the hot cream over the chocolate chips and let this sit for a few minutes, until the chocolate is melted.

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Using a whisk, gently stir the cream and the chocolate together until combined. DO NOT OVER
MIX– this could cause the ganache to separate, and fixing that is a whole other lesson in itself… So just take my advice, and don’t let that happen. 😉

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If you’re chocolate ganache looks thick and smooth when you’re done mixing, you’re in good shape. If it looks thin and runny, well… Just eat it. It’s basically chocolate sauce. And then comment, and I’ll post the tutorial for fixing that problem. 🙂

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Once the ganache is mixed, cover it with plastic and let it set in the fridge overnight.

Next, do your prep work. Chop a couple handfuls of almonds, sift a bit of cocoa, and boil some water.

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Now, dip your melon baller in the boiling water for a few minutes; quickly remove it, dry it completely with your wash cloth or towel, and use it to scoop truffles out of your chilled ganache onto wax paper. Every 2-3 truffles, re-heat your melon baller in the water, drying it well before use again. Your wash cloth is going to get VERY chocolatey; so don’t freak out when that happens.

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Once all of the truffles have been scooped out, if they’re getting a bit soft, pop them in the fridge for a while to firm up again.

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Next, reshape any truffles that are a little bent out of shape with your fingers, and then roll them in chopped almonds or cocoa. If you don’t like the bitter cocoa taste by itself, mix it with a bit of icing sugar, and then sift it onto a plate to use for your truffles.

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And there you go, easy peasy! You can also coat the truffles in chocolate, but since this is easier I thought I’d opt for this option. And did I mention it’s delicious?

Printable Recipe

Easy Dark Chocolate Truffles [Recipe] (14)

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Easy Dark Chocolate Truffles

A quick, simple recipe for the kitchen enthusiast. Only 2 main ingredients!

CourseDessert

CuisineAmerican, Canadian, French

Keywordchocolate, chocolate chips, dark chocolate, easy recipe, ganache, simple ganache, truffles

Prep Time 3 hours

Servings 36 truffles

Author Naomi

Ingredients

  • 2c.semi sweet chocolate chipsI like Baker's or Hershey's best
  • 1c.heavy whipping creamNO substitutes!
  • 1c.almondschopped
  • 1/2c.cocoa powder
  • 1 Tbspicing sugaroptional

You Will Need:

  • wax paper
  • clean towel or wash cloth
  • melon baller
  • boiling water

Instructions

  1. Place the chocolate chips in a small-medium heat resistant bowl and set aside. Next, in a small, heavy bottomed saucepan, bring your cream *just* to a boil. Pour the hot cream over the chocolate chips and let this sit for a few minutes, until the chocolate is melted.

  2. Using a whisk, gently stir the cream and the chocolate together until thick and smooth. DO NOT OVERMIX– this could cause the ganache to separate.

  3. Once the ganache is mixed, cover it with plastic and let it set in the fridge for a minimum of 2 hours or overnight. (Depending on the shape of your container, your ganache might take longer than 2 hours to set - it should be firm and cold when it's ready.)

  4. Once the ganache has set, chop the almonds, sift the cocoa (with the icing sugar, if desired), and boil some water.

  5. Dip a melon baller in the boiling water for a few minutes; quickly remove it, dry it completely with your wash cloth or towel, and use it to scoop truffles out of your chilled ganache onto wax paper. Every 2-3 truffles, re-heat your melon baller in the water, drying it well before use again.

  6. Once all of the truffles have been scooped out, if they’re getting a bit soft, pop them in the fridge for a while to firm up.

  7. Quickly reshape any truffles that are a little bent out of shape with your fingers (taking care not to overwork them), and then roll them in chopped almonds or the cocoa/icing sugar mixture.

  8. Store in the refrigerator.

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My truffles are too soft/The ganache is too runny

  1. There could be a couple of reasons for this: The first being my fault; chocolate chips. As I mentioned before, chocolate chips are not the best quality chocolate. If you use a higher quality chocolate, you’ll get a higher cocoa butter content– which yields a firmer truffle when you’re finished. So, while chocolate chips usually work for me, that could have something to do with the brand you’re using– so maybe try using a different brand of chocolate chips, or just forget those altogether, and use a higher quality chocolate. You can also try adding about 2 Tbsp butter, which will increase the fat and allow the mixture to stiffen up a bit.
  2. The second reason could be that, as I mentioned in my post, your ganache has separated. This basically means that the fat and water portions in your ganache are not blending well, and the ganache will take on a more grainy, runny texture. It will set okay (kinda-sorta), but the finished truffles will be quite soft– and the texture will not be as smooth. If this is the problem, you can fix it be re-heating your ganache to 95-100 degrees F, and then whisking it like the dickens until it comes together again in a thick, smooth mixture (as pictured in this post).

Note: In the event that doesn’t work, you can then add a small amount (1-2 tsp) of room temperature milk (not cream), a little at a time, to the ganache while again… whisking like the dickens. If the ganache comes back together before you’ve added all your milk, stop adding liquid; the lesser amount added the better.

Should the truffles be hard?

They will be quite firm when cold, and not so much when they are room temperature. This recipe is meant to yield a soft, melt-in-your-mouth kind of center. It is *excellent* coated in a chocolate shell… But I chose to do the simpler method for the recipe, for simplicity and speed. I don’t like to let them sit out for too long before serving them; straight out of the fridge is good, but I like them best when they’ve been out for a few minutes first.

How long will truffles last?

Well, I don’t usually notice them lasting long, if you know what I mean. Hehe, but in all seriousness: if you store them in an airtight container in the fridge, they should be good for at least 4-6 weeks.

How should I store truffles to keep them from spoiling?

Definitely in the fridge. They will be too soft if left out for too long, and keeping them cold will preserve them longer.

Can I use 18% or Half and Half cream instead?

No. There are no substitutes here! A lesser fat content will make the truffles runny, and they will not turn out. You CAN, however, use coconut cream as I have in this recipe for Coconut Cream Truffles.

As always, thanks for stopping in! Back next week,

–Naomi

P.S. I like– no. I LOVE rolling the truffles in nuts and THEN coating them with chocolate. Best! If you’re up to the extra time and bother, do it. It’s fantastic.

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**Edit: Click Here for some tips on this recipe!

Easy Dark Chocolate Truffles [Recipe] (2024)

FAQs

What are the three ingredients in dark chocolate recipe? ›

You only need raw cacao powder, cacao butter (or coconut oil), and a high-quality natural sweetener such as pure maple syrup. Three basic ingredients and you've got yourself some delicious vegan dark chocolate that only needs minutes to firm up in the freezer or fridge.

What kind of chocolate is best for truffles? ›

Semi-sweet or dark chocolate make a very intense chocolate truffle and milk chocolate yields a sweeter truffle. If using milk chocolate, reduce the cream to 1/2 cup as milk chocolate is much softer than dark chocolate.

What are dark chocolate truffles made of? ›

American Truffles

They're made with a mixture of dark and milk chocolates, butterfat, and sometimes coconut oil.

What is the difference between truffle and dark chocolate? ›

However, the big difference between a classic piece of chocolate and a truffle is that the truffle will also contain a ganache, a creamy paste which is created by mixing chocolate with cream.

Is there a difference between truffles and chocolate truffles? ›

Nope. While truffles did inspire the name of chocolate truffles, it is not because these sweet little bites are made from truffles. It's because they resemble they vaguely resemble the fungus. Chocolate truffles are made from chocolate ganache, dusted with cocoa, and formed into a ball.

Why chocolate truffles are so expensive? ›

Chocolate truffles can be expensive for several reasons, including the cost of base ingredients, the production process, and their reputation. Firstly, even when produced on an industrial level, gourmet truffles require high-quality chocolate, cream, and butter, all of which can be expensive by themselves.

Should you refrigerate chocolate truffles? ›

Do not refrigerate chocolate. Whether you only eat gourmet truffles or consume any chocolate put in front of you, please don't store chocolate in the fridge. This is because chocolate easily absorbs the odors of whatever items it is placed near to in a fridge, which can have a detrimental effect on its flavor.

What makes chocolate truffles so good? ›

Chocolate truffles are considered one of the most indulgent treats and ultimate luxury desserts. They combine the richness of high-quality chocolate with a creamy center, making them ideal as sympathy chocolate or just a sweet treat for any special occasion.

How to prepare truffles? ›

Avoid a lot of heat: Don't cook them too much or you will drive off much of the flavour and aroma. If using in a hot dish, such as a soup or sauce, slice or grate the truffle in just before serving or warm briefly in a little oil. Use quickly: The strength of the truffle flavour will naturally decrease over time.

Is dark chocolate truffle healthy? ›

Dark chocolate contains flavanols, naturally occurring antioxidants that have been shown to reduce the risk of cardiovascular disease by lowering LDL cholesterol while raising HDL cholesterol levels. It decreases the incidence of hypertension and stroke, and increases insulin sensitivity.

How long do dark chocolate truffles last? ›

Any solid chocolate pieces will last up to a year or so believe it or not. However, any filled pieces such as caramels, creams, jellies or toffee have approximately a 6 to 8 week shelf life. Truffles have approximately a 2 to 4 week shelf life due to the fact that they are made with fresh heavy cream.

What is in the middle of a chocolate truffle? ›

A chocolate truffle's basic components are tempered chocolate on the outside and chocolate ganache within. The delicious chocolate ganache filling is made from bittersweet chocolate and heavy cream. To give the delicate and creamy ganache filling a firm shell, it is dipped in tempered chocolate.

What are the ingredients in dark chocolate? ›

Dark chocolate contains 50-90% cocoa solids, cocoa butter, and sugar, whereas milk chocolate contains anywhere from 10-50% cocoa solids, cocoa butter, milk in some form, and sugar.

What are the three main ingredients of chocolate? ›

The main ingredients used in chocolate production are cocoa liquor (obtained by grinding cocoa beans), cocoa butter (obtained by pressing cocoa liquor), sugar, and milk (in the case of milk chocolate) [3].

What are the components of dark chocolate? ›

Cocoa beans (Theobroma cacao) contain 50–57% lipid, predominantly known as cocoa butter (Hannum and Erdman, 2000). Cocoa butter is one of the principal components of dark chocolate. The major constituents of cocoa butter are 33% oleic acid, 25% palmitic acid, and 33% stearic acid (Tokede et al., 2011; Didar, 2021).

What are the ingredients in dark baking chocolate? ›

Cocoa Beans*+, Cane Sugar*+, Cocoa Butter*+. Individuals with Food Allergies: Made on equipment that also processes wheat, milk & tree nuts and in a facility that handles sesame, eggs & peanuts.

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