Welcome to Day 2 of Hot Chocolate Week! I am so excited to introduce this holiday indulgence because I love making new types of truffles. For these truffles, I like to use a combination of dark and semi-sweet chocolate chips because they offer a lovely, rich chocolate flavor.
Many people seem to think that truffles are very intricate and difficult to make; however, that is not always the case. While advanced chocolatiers use molds and complex flavor profiles to make incredible, fancy truffles, anyone can make hand-rolled truffles. They are extremely easy, very tasty, and look wonderful!
One of my favorite things about hot chocolate is that there are so many ways to customize this exquisite beverage. Therefore, these delightful, hand-rolled truffles come in a variety of flavors: regular chocolate, peppermint, and s’more. So, let’s get started!
Make the Ganache:
Add 1 cup of dark chocolate, 1 cup of semi-sweet chocolate, and 1 cup of heavy whipping cream to a microwave-safe bowl. Heat for approximately 45 seconds – 1 minute. Use either a whisk or a rubber spatula to mix the chocolate and cream together. If not all the chocolate is completely melted, then put it back in the microwave for an additional 20-30 seconds. Stir the mixture. If the chocolate is still not fully melted, continue to heat for 15-20 seconds in the microwave, while making sure to stir in between each heating. Add between 1/8 and ¼ teaspoon of salt, and thoroughly mix it into the ganache. Cover the ganache with plastic wrap, making sure to press the plastic wrap onto the surface of the ganache so that it will not form a skin on the top layer. Let it cool until it is close to room temperature and then place in the refrigerator for at least 2 hours.
Roll the Truffles:
Using a small cookie scoop, scoop the ganache into small balls and place them on parchment paper. Next, put on a pair of either nitrile or kitchen gloves and roll the truffles into uniform balls. Note: You do not have to use gloves, just make sure that your hands are very clean. Additional Note: If the ganache becomes too soft while rolling the truffle balls, you may need to place them in the refrigerator for 5-10 minutes to slightly firm up before the final step.
Coat the Truffles:
Place the crushed candy canes, graham cracker crumbs, and unsweetened cocoa powder into separate bowls. Add 2-3 truffles at a time and roll them around until they are fully covered in the miscellaneous coatings. Set them aside and continue to coat the rest of the truffles. For the s’more ones, place 3 mini marshmallows on top of each truffle and gently press them down so that they will stick to the truffle. Once they are all complete, your hot chocolate truffles are ready to enjoy!
Thank you so much for checking out this Hot Chocolate Week post! I hope that you give these a try this holiday season! They will make a fantastic addition to you holiday dessert selection as well as make a great homemade gift! Please leave a comment below regarding if you tried these truffles and how you and your family enjoyed them!
