Indulge in these creamy, rich French chocolate truffles, perfect for chocolate lovers. Made with just three simple ingredients, this easy and quick recipe is ideal for Valentine's Day or Christmas. Whether you're gifting or treating yourself, these truffles are irresistible!
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French chocolate truffles are a decadent treat that perfectly balance rich, dark chocolate and a creamy texture. Made with just a few simple, high-quality ingredients, these elegant chocolate truffles are surprisingly easy to make.
A French chocolate truffle is essentially a blend of two main ingredients: chocolate and cream. This creates a rich, smooth chocolate ganache. Unlike the chocolate ganache used in other desserts, truffles have a specific proportion that gives them a super creamy texture, making them a luxurious and indulgent treat.
Chocolate truffles are a popular treat during the holiday season, often given as gifts for Christmas or Valentine's Day. They're even better when homemade, as you can tailor the flavors and textures to your liking.
With this quick and easy recipe, you can create delicious truffles that offer the added satisfaction of giving a unique and personal gift box to your loved ones and any dark chocolate lover.
Why you'll love this recipe
Craving for more chocolate desserts? Give these a try: Chocolate cake pops, French chocolate mousse, Chocolate ganache macarons.
Ingredient You Need
You need these ingredients to make these traditional French dark chocolate truffles:
- High-Quality Chocolate: Opt for premium chocolate or a baking chocolate bar with a cocoa content of at least 54%, cocoa butter, ideally 60 to 70%, but no higher.
- Heavy Cream: Choose full-fat heavy cream with a minimum fat content of 30% or opt for heavy whipping cream.
- Butter: While not essential, adding a small amount of unsalted butter contributes to a creamier texture.
- Vanilla Extract and Salt: For enhanced flavor and depth, add pure vanilla extract or vanilla bean seeds and a pinch of sea salt.
- Sugar: Optional. If you're using bittersweet chocolate, you can add sugar or corn syrup to adjust the sweetness. Corn syrup can also help achieve a smoother texture by preventing sugar crystallization.
How to Make Homemade French Chocolate Truffles
Here are some quick visual instructions. Don't forget that full recipe instructions with exact ingredients can be found in the recipe card below!
Step 1: Finely chop the dark chocolate with a knife and place in a small bowl and heat the heavy cream in a small saucepan over medium heat until it simmers.
Step 2: Add the warm cream and softened butter to the bowl containing the chopped chocolate and let stand for a few minutes. Then mix with a spatula or wooden spoon until you have a chocolate mixture.
Step 3: Add the vanilla flavoring and salt into the mixture of melted chocolate and mix again to incorporate. Cover the truffle mixture in contact with plastic wrap and let stand in the fridge for at least 3 hours until the ganache is completely chilled.
Roll up chocolate truffles
Step 4: Scoop cooled ganache with an ice cream scoop or tablespoon and place on a large baking sheet lined with parchment paper.
Step 5: Place the baking sheet with chocolate truffles in the freezer for about 10 minutes to make them harden a little. Then, quickly roll the truffles balls between the palm of your hands to give them a nice round shape.
Step 6: Roll each chocolate ball in unsweetened cocoa powder several times until fully coated. Do the same for the other coatings, then place the cocoa dusted truffles on a plate or in mini paper cups and place them in a storage box.
Coating ideas for homemade truffles
- Cocoa Powder: Roll truffles in unsweetened and natural cocoa powder for a classic and slightly bitter contrast to the sweet filling.
- Chopped Nuts: Coat truffles with finely chopped nuts such as almonds, hazelnuts, or pistachios for a delightful crunch.
- Shredded Coconut: Roll truffles in shredded coconut for a tropical and slightly sweet outer layer.
- Powdered Sugar: Dust truffles with powdered sugar for an elegant and sweet finish.
- Crushed cookies: Roll truffles in crushed cookies like Oreos or graham crackers for a cookie crumb coating.
- Melted chocolate: Dip truffles in melted dark chocolate, melted white chocolate or milk chocolate and let them set for a glossy shell.
- Sprinkles: Decorate truffles with colorful sprinkles for a festive and fun appearance.
- Crushed Candy Canes: Perfect for the holiday season, coat truffles in crushed candy canes or chocolate shavings for a minty and crunchy coating.
Best tips for chocolate truffles
Storage and freezing
At room temperature: French truffles can be stored at room temperature in an airtight container or in a glass jar for about 1 week.
You can also place them in the refrigerator for longer conservation.
In the freezer: Chocolate truffles packed in storage bags can be frozen for up to 3 months in the freezer. When they are ready, they should come back to room temperature.
Variations & Substitutions
Recipe Questions
What is the best type of chocolate for making truffles?
For the best flavor and texture, use high-quality dark chocolate with at least 60-70% cocoa content. Avoid chocolate chips, as they contain stabilizers that can affect the ganache's consistency.
Can I make French chocolate truffles vegan?
Yes, you can make them vegan by using vegan dark chocolate and substituting the cream with coconut cream or another non-dairy alternative.
Why did my ganache split, and how can I fix it?
Ganache can split if the cream is too hot or if there's not enough liquid. To fix it, gently whisk in a small amount of warm cream until the mixture becomes smooth and glossy again.
Can I make dark chocolate truffles without heavy cream?
While heavy cream is a common ingredient in truffle ganaches, you can explore alternative options like coconut cream, condensed milk or dairy-free milk for a dairy-free or vegan version.
How to harden sticky chocolate truffles?
Place them in the freezer for a few minutes to harden and roll them into balls more easily.
How do I prevent my truffle ganache from becoming too soft?
Properly chilling and setting the ganache in the refrigerator before shaping and coating the truffles helps maintain their shape and prevents them from becoming too soft.
More Truffle Recipes
I hope you love these easy French truffles. If you make it, be sure to leave a comment and a rating so I know how you liked it. Happy Baking!
Print
French chocolate truffles
- Total Time: 3 hours 10 minutes
- Yield: 17 truffles
Description
Classic French chocolate truffles with a creamy texture and high chocolate (for about 15 - 17 truffles)
Ingredients
- 226 g (8 oz) Baking chocolate - at 60-70 %
- 125 ml (½ cup) Heavy cream- full fat
- 20 g Butter - unsalted and softened
- ½ tsp Vanilla extract
- 1 pinch of sea salt
Instructions
- Finely chop the dark chocolate with a knife and place it in a medium bowl.
- Place the heavy cream in a saucepan and heat over medium heat until it simmers.
- Pour the hot cream over the chopped chocolate and add the butter then let stand for about 3-5 minutes.
- Mix with a wooden spoon until you have a smooth and homogeneous ganache mixture.
- Add vanilla and salt (optional) and mix again.
- Cover with plastic wrap in contact and place in the fridge for at least 3 hours (or 1 hour in the freezer) until the mixture is completely cooled.
- Using an ice cream scoop or tablespoon scrape out balls of chocolate and place them on a baking sheet lined with parchment paper.
- Place the baking sheet in the freezer for 10-15 minutes.
- Take each ball of chocolate and shape it into a round ball with your hands, working as quickly as possible, then place it back on the baking sheet.
- In a bowl place the unsweetened powdered sugar or coating of your choice.
- Roll the chocolate truffles in the bowl until they are completely covered.
Equipment
Buy Now → Notes
Storage: at room temperature in a storage box with a tight-fitting lid for 1 week. Or in the freezer for up to 3 months.
Tips & advice :
- Use Quality Chocolate: Opt for high-quality dark chocolate with at least 60-70% cocoa for the best flavor and texture.
- Chop Chocolate Evenly: Finely chop the chocolate for smooth melting and a creamy ganache.
- Gentle Heating: Heat the cream gently until it simmers; avoid boiling to prevent splitting the ganache.
- Add Sweetness: If using bittersweet chocolate, adjust the sweetness with sugar or corn syrup.
- Chill the Ganache: Refrigerate the ganache for at least 2 hours before shaping to make it easier to handle.
- Keep Hands Cool: Rinse hands with cold water before rolling to prevent melting the truffles.
- Coating Options: Roll truffles in cocoa powder, nuts, or melted chocolate for added texture and flavor.
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Category: Dessert
- Cuisine: french
Nutrition
- Calories: 102
- Sugar: 7
- Sodium: 16
- Fat: 8
- Saturated Fat: 5
- Carbohydrates: 8
- Fiber: 1
- Protein: 1
- Cholesterol: 13
Make these ones and they are amazing! Super easy to make and so creamy. Perfect for anyone who loves chocolate 😉