Chocolate Truffles

First and foremost, the basic ingredients of any chocolate truffle would include flavorings, liquids and of course, chocolate, which is called ganache. For the longest time, this confectionery treat was only available only to the rich and the affluent, just like most chocolate treats were many years ago. Years ago, the very mention of a chocolate truffle would conjure images of some famous personality lounging around by the pool, sipping on chardonnay and biting into a sinfully delicious chocolate truffle.

But, gone are the days when these sweet treats were only for the rich, today, they are available anywhere and everywhere – from chocolate shops to candy stores and even supermarkets. It is just amazing what a little bit of competition can do to the market!

Another very big improvement is that today, chocolate truffles come in a wide range of flavors, right from dark chocolate to milk chocolate to white and even with fruity flavors included. If you enjoy fine liqueurs, then you’ll probably be happy to know that truffles come in a variety of flavors like Kahlua and Frangelico as well. So, you can now find chocolate truffles that suit practically everyone’s taste and what’s more, they are also very reasonably priced.

If you live in a place where truffles are relatively hard to find, then you can always take time out to do it yourself. With the Internet, you’ll find loads of great websites that offer brilliant ideas, recipes and tips for making the chocolate truffle of your choice. You’ll make your loved one’s day by giving him a homemade chocolate truffle, especially if you have made them yourself.

Making a chocolate truffle doesn’t call for any special ingredients. All you have to do is whip up the batter with some cocoa, whipping cream, corn syrup and butter, and you probably already have all these ingredients stored in your kitchen.

Making Chocolate Truffles
Ingredients:

• 25 grams of dark chocolate.
• 150 grams of cream.
• 40 grams of unsalted butter.
• 75 grams of dark cocoa powder.
• 2 tbsp water.
• 1 liter of water.

Procedure:

Start by preparing your double boiler. Place a cooking pan in high heat and then pour that 1-liter of water into it. Bring this water to a slow simmer. Next, place the chocolate on a chopping board and break it or cut it into squares. Now, add the 2 tbsp of water into the cooking pan and then put the chunks of chocolate in it. Place the cooking pan with the chocolate in it into the medium sized pan that contains the water. Make sure the bottom of the smaller pan does not touch the water in the bigger pot. As the chocolate starts to melt, keep stirring constantly. This should be done for about 8 minutes.

Now gently pour in the cream and mix it well to make the ganache. Do not take the pan out of the heat, keep it at the right melting temperature and keep stirring until all the cream is mixed well with the chocolate. Now, take the pan out of the heat and leave it aside until it cools down. Put in the butter. Bring the water to a simmer and then place the pan that holds the ganache on the heat again. Put in the butter and keep stirring till it melts completely. Once this is done, turn off the heat and take the pan out.

Pour all of the ganache into a large bowl and use a spatula to remove the remaining ganache from the pan. Place a plastic wrap on the surface of the ganache and put the bowl in the fridge until the whole mixture stiffens.

To make the truffles: take the bowl out of the fridge and put it on your kitchen counter. Put the cocoa powder in another bowl. With the help of a melon baler, take a small ice cream scoop or a teaspoon to take out small amounts of the ganache. Make tiny balls and then roll them in your palms. This has to be done quickly so that they don’t melt. Put them in the bowl with the cocoa powder and then roll them around until they are well coated. Place the truffles in a tray.

So, now that you know that the chocolate truffle isn’t just for the rich anymore and that it isn’t a chocolate-covered fungus, what’s stopping you from making one of these heavenly treats at home? Once you get the taste of one of these, you’ll probably be hooked for life.