If you like chocolate truffles, here’s a great recipe from Chef Jean-Philippe Maury. I made half a batch yesterday all the while wondering why I don’t make these more often. They’re simple but so delicious and open to improvisation. You can infuse the chocolate with whatever flavor you like, then package them up in a myriad of creative ways for gift giving (though mine are in a plastic tub in the kitchen and I’ve been eating them myself).
I did make a few minor changes to JPM’s recipe. Orange zest was omitted and Kahlua replaced the Grand Marnier. I also scooped the truffle center instead of piping it, and used a spoon to coat the balls in chocolate before rolling in the cocoa. Chef Jean-Philippe’s method of using gloves sounds more fun, but I didn’t have any disposable gloves.
- 11 oz. Dark Chocolate (58 % Cacao minimum), divided use
- 2/3 Cup Heavy Cream
- Zest of 1 Orange (optional)
- 1 Tbsp. Grand Marnier Liqueur (or Kahlua)
- 5 oz. Cocoa powder for dusting
- Finely chop 8 ounces of the chocolate and put in a bowl.
- Combine the orange zest and the heavy cream in a small saucepan and bring to a boil. Strain the orange infused cream over the chocolate and let it set for one minute. Stir gently with a whisk (do not beat or you’ll incorporate air), starting in the center and working your way to the edge, until the ganache is smooth. Stir in the liqueur if using.
- Cover the bowl with a plastic wrap and let set at room temperature until thick enough to hold its shape, approximately 2 hours.
- Using a pastry bag with a 3/8-inch opening tip OR using a small cookie scoop (in which case the truffles will be much larger), pipe or scoop mounds (about 3/4 inch high and 3/4 inch wide if piping) on parchment-lined baking sheets.
- Refrigerate until firm, about 15 minutes.
- Meanwhile, melt the remaining 3 ounces of chocolate. With gloves on, coat the palm of your hands with melted chocolate and gently coat each chilled truffle. Immediately toss the coated truffles in chocolate powder with a fork.
- Store the truffles inside an airtight box at room temperature.
Another thing on my list of “have-to-dos” that I haven’t gotten around to yet. They’re so simple, and yet when it comes to thinking about things to make it never comes up (maybe because I rarely have heavy cream around). For me these would be bathed in cashews or almonds 🙂 *drool* Thanks for the reminder Anna :).
Love truffles. I could just eat the ganache straight up before it even sets up. (Not that I’ve ever done that.) 😉
Good looking recipe. I always prefer truffles coated with chocolate (rather than just rolled in cocoa) so there’s a little crunch biting into the soft center.
I’ve thought of making my own truffles but I’ve never actually done it. Yours look really good.
If I make these this weekend, & store as directed, will they be okay to eat at Christmas? These look great and most likely won’t last until Christmas, but I know my father in law will LOVE these.
beth
Mmmm, these make such good christmas gifts!