I love making these truffles anytime there is something to celebrate: they’re always a great treat to bring over for a dinner party or for a potluck and are delicious. I used to make regular cocoa-dipped truffles for years, until I started dipping them in different coatings. I always serve truffles like this now – they are easy to make, lovely to serve and the toppings add a nice crunch to the velvety and smooth chocolaty inside.
I think Christmas platters should be able to please all tastes, which is why I would serve these rich balls of decadence with some lighter cookies (like the ricotta lemon cookies with lemon glaze). It’s all about balance, variety and moderation is it not?
Recipe
Makes about 50 truffles
1/2 pound good quality bittersweet chocolate, coarsely chopped
1/2 pound good quality semisweet chocolate, coarsely chopped
1 cup of heavy cream
Zest of 1 orange
2 tablespoons of Grand Marnier
1/2 teaspoon of good vanilla extract
One handful of shredded coconut
One handful of cocoa powder
One handful of chopped pistachios
One handful of ground almonds
Place the chocolates in a heat-proof mixing bowl.
Heat the cream in a small saucepan until it just starts to bubble. Pour the cream over the chocolate. With a wire whisk, stir the cream and chocolates together until the chocolate is completely melted and the mixture is smooth. Whisk in the Grand Marnier, orange zest and vanilla. Refrigerate for an hour or until the chocolate mixture has hardened.
Using 2 small spoons, form round balls of the chocolate mixture. Then, using the palm of your hand, make the balls as round as possible and dip in the respective toppings. Place onto a baking sheet lined with parchment paper and refrigerate for another hour. Remove from the fridge 10 minutes before serving.
Enjoy the read!
LunaCafe
December 6, 2008 at 6:55 pm (16 years ago)These are beautiful. What a lovely idea!
Laavanya
December 6, 2008 at 7:04 pm (16 years ago)These should make such perfect gifts (although if I made them, i would probably eat them all and not want to share) 😀
Maryann
December 6, 2008 at 7:15 pm (16 years ago)Oh no! I simply must have these!
veggie belly
December 6, 2008 at 7:38 pm (16 years ago)oh my! your truffles looks so rich and festive!
Deborah
December 6, 2008 at 10:53 pm (16 years ago)Your truffles look amazing, I think I will have to try to make them myself over the holidays!
Court
December 6, 2008 at 11:02 pm (16 years ago)These look just gorgeous! I would love getting something like this as a gift.
HoneyB
December 6, 2008 at 11:03 pm (16 years ago)They look like they are calling my name. lol. I think they look delicious. I really love chocolate and nuts!
Rachelle
December 6, 2008 at 11:57 pm (16 years ago)Love the pistachio ones! I just made some tonight with leftover ganache.
Esi
December 7, 2008 at 1:51 am (16 years ago)Growing up, I always looked forward to the holidays because my mom used to make similar truffles for her cookie baskets. These are beautiful.
Dawn
December 7, 2008 at 10:40 am (16 years ago)you have been busy in the kitchen! these are simply gorgeous! one of the best photos (and you have many)
Hornsfan
December 7, 2008 at 2:53 pm (16 years ago)Beautiful photo!
Darius T. Williams
December 7, 2008 at 8:16 pm (16 years ago)sphI’m loving these – I really am!
-DTW
http://www.everydaycookin.blogspot.com
Passionate About Baking
December 7, 2008 at 8:30 pm (16 years ago)Tks for stopping by, & for posting thse decadent truffles. They are gorgeous…& so is the picture! BTW, I love the name of your blog! Cheers Deeba
Nazarina A
December 7, 2008 at 8:36 pm (16 years ago)Your truffles and the ricotta cookies are indeed the yin and yang of desserts.These truffles best be hidden away from me, there will be nothing left!
Kaitlin
December 8, 2008 at 10:22 am (16 years ago)those are so nice looking and i bet they’re equally delicious!
AllisonWonderland
December 9, 2008 at 12:27 am (16 years ago)I am making these for gifts!! thanks!!
Shaheen
December 9, 2008 at 9:53 am (16 years ago)Gosh this looks incredible! I’m so happy to discover your blog! 😀
Jude
December 9, 2008 at 1:47 pm (16 years ago)Was just thinking of whipping up a batch of ganache. Thanks for the ideas!
miri
December 9, 2008 at 2:27 pm (16 years ago)A very elegant way to serve truffles indeed! They look delicious and the photo is just beautiful!
Hillary
December 9, 2008 at 4:50 pm (16 years ago)Nice truffles. Truffles are a great treat for this time of year.
Kevin
December 10, 2008 at 10:23 pm (16 years ago)Nice truffles! I really like the green of the pistachios.
Cynthia
February 12, 2009 at 10:54 pm (16 years ago)These are lovely! I’m about to loaf in front of the television and wish I had this bowl of truffles to keep me company.