If you're a chocolate lover, you're going to love this recipe for homemade chocolate truffles. These rich, decadent treats are easy to make and use only a handful of ingredients, including dark chocolate, cream, balsamic vinegar, and cocoa powder. With a tangy twist, these chocolate truffles will leave you wanting more.
Looking for more chocolate recipes? Check out my Double Chocolate Fudge Brownies, Chocolate Dipped Macaroons, and Chocolate Chip Pancakes.
Why You'll Love these Homemade Chocolate Truffles
- Unique Flavor - The unique combination of dark chocolate and tangy balsamic vinegar creates a rich and decadent flavor.
- Quick & Easy - This recipe is quick and easy to make, using only a few simple ingredients. This makes it perfect for impressing guests, gifting to friends and family, or simply treating yourself to a delicious homemade dessert.
- Versatile - The recipe is versatile and can be customized with different flavors and toppings to suit your taste. This allows for endless possibilities to experiment and create your own unique chocolate truffle creations.
Ingredients & Substitutions
Full recipe with measurements in recipe card below.
- Dark chocolate - Dark chocolate is the star of the show in this recipe. It provides a rich, velvety texture and a deep, complex flavor. The high percentage of cocoa solids in dark chocolate also provides health benefits such as antioxidants and lower sugar content. When selecting chocolate for this recipe, it's best to choose a high-quality chocolate with at least 70% cocoa solids.
- Substitution - Substitutions could include milk chocolate or semisweet chocolate. The resulting truffles will have a sweeter taste and less intense chocolate flavor.
- Heavy cream - The heavy cream in this recipe provides richness and creaminess to the chocolate mixture. It helps to create a smooth and velvety texture in the truffles.
- Substitution - For a vegan option, you can substitute the heavy cream with coconut cream, which will also provide a rich and creamy texture.
- Balsamic vinegar - The balsamic vinegar adds a unique tangy flavor to the chocolate truffles, which helps to balance out the sweetness and richness of the chocolate.
- Substitution - You could substitute balsamic vinegar with raspberry vinegar or orange liqueur for a different flavor twist.
- Cocoa powder - The cocoa powder is used to coat the chocolate truffles, providing a bittersweet and chocolatey taste. It also gives the truffles a nice texture and appearance.
- Substitution - You could substitute cocoa powder with powdered sugar or finely chopped nuts for a different texture and flavor.
Equipment Needed
- Double boiler: A double boiler is a special pot designed to melt chocolate or other delicate ingredients over gentle heat. If you don't have a double boiler, you can create one by placing a heatproof bowl over a pot of simmering water.
- Mixing bowl: You'll need a small mixing bowl to let the mixture cool.
- Whisk: Use a whisk to combine the melted chocolate and cream until smooth.
- Measuring cups and spoons: You'll need measuring cups and spoons to measure out the ingredients accurately.
- Baking sheet: Use a baking sheet lined with parchment paper to set the chocolate truffles on.
- Teaspoon or cookie scoop: You'll need a teaspoon or cookie scoop to portion out the chocolate mixture and shape it into balls.
- Shallow dish: Use a shallow dish to hold the cocoa powder for coating the truffles.
- Airtight container: Store the finished truffles in an airtight container to keep them fresh.
How to Make
Step by step instructions listed below in recipe card
To make homemade chocolate truffles, begin by melting dark chocolate and heavy cream together in a double boiler over hot but not simmering water. Stir the mixture occasionally until it becomes smooth and well-combined.
Remove the melted chocolate mixture from the heat and stir in balsamic vinegar. The vinegar will help to add a tangy flavor to the truffles that pairs well with the richness of the chocolate.
Pour the chocolate mixture into a small bowl and place it in the refrigerator to cool for about an hour. This will help the chocolate to firm up and become more moldable.
Once the chocolate has cooled, remove it from the refrigerator and let it sit at room temperature for about 2 hours, until it is firm but moldable. Use a teaspoon to scoop out the chocolate and then use your fingertips to shape it into small balls about the size of a cherry. Place the chocolate balls on a parchment-lined tray.
Next, place cocoa powder in a small shallow dish. Place 2-6 truffles at a time in the cocoa powder and roll the truffles around to coat them. Once coated, return the truffles to the baking sheet. Continue with the remaining truffles until they are all coated in cocoa powder.
Finally, place the chocolate truffles in a serving dish or airtight package until ready to serve. These truffles can be stored in the refrigerator for up to a week, or in the freezer for up to a month.
Variations
- Roll the truffles in different coatings: Instead of using cocoa powder, try rolling the truffles in chopped nuts, shredded coconut, or even sprinkles (my fav!)
- Add different flavors: You can infuse the chocolate mixture with different flavors by adding a dash of cinnamon, a pinch of chili powder, or a splash of rum or whiskey.
- Use different types of chocolate: If you prefer milk or white chocolate, you can substitute those for the dark chocolate in this recipe.
- Add mix-ins: Try adding mix-ins like chopped nuts, dried fruit, or crushed cookies to the chocolate mixture before shaping the truffles.
- Make them vegan: Use coconut cream instead of heavy cream and vegan chocolate to make a dairy-free version of this recipe.
FAQ's
How long do homemade chocolate truffles last?
Homemade chocolate truffles can be stored in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to a week, or in the freezer for up to a month.
Can I use milk or white chocolate instead of dark chocolate?
Yes, you can substitute milk or white chocolate for the dark chocolate in this recipe if you prefer.
Can I use a different type of vinegar?
Balsamic vinegar is recommended for this recipe as it adds a unique flavor that pairs well with the chocolate. However, you can experiment with other types of vinegar if you'd like.
Can I use a microwave to melt the chocolate and cream?
While you can use a microwave to melt the chocolate and cream, it is recommended to use a double boiler to ensure that the chocolate doesn't burn or become overcooked.
Can I make this recipe ahead of time?
Yes, you can make these truffles ahead of time and store them in the refrigerator or freezer until ready to serve. Just be sure to keep them in an airtight container to prevent them from drying out.
Tips
- Use high-quality ingredients: Since this recipe uses only a few ingredients, it's important to use high-quality chocolate, cream, and balsamic vinegar for the best flavor.
- Be patient: It's important to let the chocolate mixture cool in the refrigerator for at least an hour before shaping the truffles. This will make the mixture easier to handle and shape.
- Use a melon baller or cookie scoop: Using a melon baller or cookie scoop can help you create evenly sized truffles, which will make them look more polished and professional.
- Dust your hands with cocoa powder: When shaping the truffles, dust your hands with cocoa powder to prevent the chocolate mixture from sticking to your fingers.
- Chill the truffles before rolling them in cocoa powder: Before rolling the truffles in cocoa powder, chill them in the refrigerator for a few minutes to firm them up. This will make them easier to coat and prevent the cocoa powder from melting into the chocolate.
Other Recipes You'll Love
Double Chocolate Fudge Brownies
Chocolate Chip Pancakes
Did You Make this Recipe?
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📋 Recipe
Easy Homemade Chocolate Truffles
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Ingredients
- 8.5 oz Dark Chocolate
- ¼ Cup Cream
- 2 Teaspoons Balsamic Vinegar
- ½ Cup Cocoa Powder
- Equipment
- Double Broiler Can also melt chocolate in them microwave
- Mixing Bowl
- Whisk
- Measuring Cups & Spoon
- Baking Sheet
- Cookie Scoop or Melon Baller
- Shallow Dish
- Airtight Container
Instructions
- Melt the chocolate and cream in a double boiler over hot but not simmering water. Place melted chocolate in a small bowl. Stir in the balsamic vinegar. Cool the chocolate in the refrigerator for 1 hour. Remove from the refrigerator and let sit at room temperature for 2 hours, until firm but moldable
- Use a teaspoon to scoop out chocolate. Use your fingertips to shape into balls about the size of a cherry. Set the chocolate balls on a parchment-lined tray.
- Place the cocoa powder in a small shallow dish. Place 6 truffles at a time in the cocoa powder and roll the truffles around to coat, and return the coated truffles to the baking sheet. Continue with the remaining truffles. Place the truffles in a serving dish or airtight package
Notes
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- Use high-quality ingredients: Since this recipe uses only a few ingredients, it's important to use high-quality chocolate, cream, and balsamic vinegar for the best flavor.
-
- Be patient: It's important to let the chocolate mixture cool in the refrigerator for at least an hour before shaping the truffles. This will make the mixture easier to handle and shape.
-
- Use a melon baller or cookie scoop: Using a melon baller or cookie scoop can help you create evenly sized truffles, which will make them look more polished and professional.
-
- Dust your hands with cocoa powder: When shaping the truffles, dust your hands with cocoa powder to prevent the chocolate mixture from sticking to your fingers.
-
- Chill the truffles before rolling them in cocoa powder: Before rolling the truffles in cocoa powder, chill them in the refrigerator for a few minutes to firm them up. This will make them easier to coat and prevent the cocoa powder from melting into the chocolate.
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