A Symphony Of French Chocolate Truffles Recipes

TRADITIONAL FRENCH DARK CHOCOLATE TRUFFLES

Steps:

• Gather the ingredients.
• Heat the heavy cream in a small saucepan over medium heat until it is hot and starting to bubble but not fully boiling. Remove the cream from the heat immediately.
• Add the finely chopped chocolate and vanilla extract and stir with a wooden spoon until the ganache is completely smooth.
• Pop the pan into the fridge and chill the ganache until it is hard enough to roll into balls. Do not use the freezer, as this will make the ganache unworkable.
• Measure out each truffle by the heaping teaspoonful and use your hands to quickly roll the ganache into a ball.
• If the ganache gets too warm, put it back in the fridge for a few minutes to firm up. Work quickly so that your hands don't melt the chocolate too much. Chill the balls, a few at a time, as you go.
• Put the cocoa powder into a shallow dish. Take each chilled chocolate ball and quickly roll in the cocoa powder for an even coating. Pop the truffle onto a plate and place back into the fridge to chill down again before serving.

A SYMPHONY OF FRENCH CHOCOLATE TRUFFLES

Steps:

• For the basic truffle mixture, break the chocolate into squares and place it in the bowl of a food processor. Switch on and grind the chocolate until it looks granular, like sugar.
• Now place the cream, butter and rum or brandy in a small saucepan and bring these to simmering point. Then, with the motor switched on, pour the mixture through the feeder tube of the processor and continue to blend until you have a smooth, blended mixture.
• Next transfer the mixture, which will be very liquid at this stage, into a bowl, allow it to get quite cold, then cover it with clingfilm and refrigerate overnight. Don't worry: it will thicken up after several hours.
• Next day divide the mixture equally among four small bowls, and keep each one in the fridge until you need it. Then proceed with the following to make four different varieties. Make sure you have all the little paper cases opened out ready before your hands get all chocolatey!
• Plain Truffles:.
• For these, you simply sift 1 level dessertspoon of cocoa powder on to a flat plate, then take heaped half teaspoons of the first batch of truffle mixture and either dust each one straight away all over, which gives the truffle a rough, rock-like appearance, or dust your hands in cocoa and roll each piece into a ball and then roll it in the cocoa powder if you like a smoother look. Place it immediately into a paper case. Obviously, the less handling the better as the warmth of your hands melts the chocolate.
• Ginger truffles:.
• Mix the finely chopped ginger into the second batch of truffle mixture using a fork, then proceed as above, taking small pieces, rolling or not (as you wish), and dusting with cocoa powder before transferring each one to a paper case.
• Toasted almond truffles:.
• Sprinkle the very finely chopped toasted almond flakes on a flat plate, take half a teaspoonful of the third batch of truffle mixture and roll it round in the nuts, pressing them to form an outer coating.
• Chocolate-coated truffles:.
• For these you need to set the chocolate and oil in a bowl over some hot but not boiling water and allow it to melt until it becomes liquid, and then remove the pan from the heat.
• Spread some silicone paper on a flat surface and, dusting your hands with cocoa, roll each truffle into a little ball.
• Using two flat skewers, one to spike the truffle and one to manoeuvre it, dip each truffle in the chocolate so that it gets a thin coating and then quickly transfer it to the paper. If the chocolate begins to thicken, replace the pan on the heat so that it will liquefy again.
• Leave the coated truffles to set completely then, using a palette knife; quickly transfer them into their waiting paper cases.
• Cocoa Dusted Truffles:.
• Simple and quick, I use 60% French Cocoa powder for an extra chocolate rush! Simply take each truffle and drop into a bowl of cocoa powder, and gently turn the truffles around to coat them.
• Now arrange all the truffles in a box or boxes and cover. Keep them refrigerated and eat within three days. Alternatively, truffles are ideal for freezing.

FRENCH KISS TRUFFLES

Steps:

• Place white chocolate in a small bowl. In a small saucepan, bring 1/3 cup cream just to a boil. Pour over white chocolate; whisk until smooth. Stir in orange zest and extract., Place milk chocolate in another small bowl. In same saucepan, bring remaining cream just to a boil. Pour over milk chocolate; whisk until smooth. Cool both mixtures to room temperature, stirring occasionally. Refrigerate until firm., To form centers, take 1-1/2 teaspoons of each chocolate mixture and shape into a two-tone ball, about 1 in. round. Place on waxed paper-lined baking sheets; cover and refrigerate at least 1 hour., In a double boiler or metal bowl over simmering water, whisk semisweet chocolate until smooth. Dip truffles in chocolate; allow excess to drip off. Return to baking sheets; drizzle with additional chocolate as desired. Refrigerate until set. Store in an airtight container in the refrigerator.

FRENCH CHOCOLATE TRUFFLES

Steps:

• 1. Place the 10 oz. of chocolate and butter in a medium size glass mixing bowl. Microwave 30 sec. Remove and stir, and repeat this 1 more time. Set aside. 2. Heat the heavy cream & corn syrup in a small saucepan over medium heat until simmering. Remove from the heat. pour mixture over melted chocolate mixture; let stand for 2 min. Use rubber spatula, stir gently, start in middle of bowl & work in concentric circles til all chocolate is melted & mix is smooth & creamy. Gently stir in brandy. Pour the mix into an 8x8-inch glass baking dish & place in frig for 1 hr. 3. Use a melon baller, scoop chocolate onto a sheet pan lined with parchment paper and return to the frig for 30 min. 4. Place the cocoa powder or toasted coconut own pie pans & set aside. 5. Meanwhile, place the 8 oz. of chocolate into a medium mixing bowl, sitting on top of a heating pad lined bowl-pad set to medium. Stir the chocolate occasionally, test the temp of the chocolate & continue heating until to 90 to 92 degrees F; do not allow the chocolate to go above 94 degrees F or snap is ruined. Once you have reached the optimal temp, adjust the heat to maintain it. 6. Remove the truffles from the frig & shape into balls by rolling between the palms of your hands. Use powder-free vinyl or latex gloves, if desired. 7. Dip an ice cream scoop into the chocolate & turn upside down to remove excess chocolate. Place truffle 1 at a time into scoop & roll around til coated. place the truffle into the dish with either the cocoa powder or coconut. Move the truffle to coat; leave truffle in the coating for 10 to 15 seconds before removing. meanwhile, continue placing chocolate-coated truffles in the cocoa or other coating. After 10 to 15 secs, remove truffle to a parchment lined sheet pan. Repeat til all truffles are coated. Allow to set in a cool dry place for at least 1 hour; or store in an airtight container in the frig. Truffles are best when served at room temp.