Janettes Lighter Truffles Recipes

GALE'S FAMOUS TRUFFLES

Steps:

• In a saucepan, combine the creme fraiche and espresso and bring to a boil over medium heat. As soon as it boils, turn off the heat. Meanwhile, put the chopped bittersweet chocolate in a medium bowl. Strain the hot creme fraiche mixture into the bowl. Whisk until the chocolate is melted and the mixture is smooth. Cover and let rest in a cool place overnight. The mixture will become firm but not too hard to pipe easily.
• The next day, using a pastry bag fitted with a large plain tip, pipe bite-size "kisses" of the mixture onto parchment paper-lined baking sheets. Refrigerate briefly just until set, about 30 minutes. Use your palm to gently press down the point that sticks up on each truffle. Transfer to the freezer and freeze until hard, 2 to 3 hours or overnight.
• In the top of a double boiler set over barely simmering water, melt the semisweet chocolate. It should be liquid, but not so hot that you can't touch it; if it is too hot for you, wear disposable surgical gloves. Spread the cocoa powder out on a sheet pan with sides. Working in 2 batches if necessary to avoid crowding the pan of cocoa, dip the frozen truffle centers 1 at a time into the melted chocolate, shake off any excess, and set them down in the cocoa. When all the truffle centers are dipped and the chocolate has started to set, gently but thoroughly shake the sheet pan to roll the truffles around in the cocoa until coated. Carefully remove to another sheet pan and refrigerate, uncovered, 30 minutes. You can sift the unused cocoa and use it for another purpose. Transfer to an airtight container and keep chilled until almost ready to serve. Bring to room temperature before serving.

BAKLAVA TRUFFLES

Steps:

• For the coating: Melt the butter in a skillet over medium heat, then add the walnuts, shredded wheat and salt and toast until the walnuts are fragrant and the wheat has started to brown, about 3 minutes. Spread out on a plate and refrigerate to cool completely.
• For the filling: Melt the butter in a skillet over medium heat, then add the walnuts and toast until fragrant, 5 minutes. Place in a food processor with the honey, cinnamon and salt and puree until a smooth nut butter forms, scraping down the sides as necessary.
• In a large bowl, crush the shredded wheat cereal with your hands, then add the walnut butter. Stir until combined, then roll into 24 small balls.
• For the dipping: Microwave the honey until thin, 1 minute. Put a filling ball on the end of a toothpick or skewer, then dip into the honey and roll in the coating, making sure to cover completely. Place each truffle in a mini cupcake liner, and package in a decorative tin.

TRUFFLES

Steps:

• Put the chopped chocolate in a large bowl and set aside.
• Add the heavy cream to a small pot over medium heat and cover with a lid. Remove from the heat just before the cream comes to a boil. Pour the cream over the chocolate, cover the bowl with aluminum foil or a lid and let it sit 5 minutes. Remove the cover and whisk until the chocolate is completely melted and the mixture is smooth. Stir in the brown rice syrup and a healthy pinch of Himalayan pink salt. Let it sit and come to room temperature, then cover with plastic wrap touching the surface of the ganache and place in the refrigerator to set for 1 hour.
• Scoop tablespoon-size portions of the ganache onto a parchment-lined plate. When filled, place the plate in the freezer for 20 minutes and continue with the remaining ganache.
• Remove the chilled ganache from the freezer; use your hands to roll the portions into smooth balls, then roll in your favorite spice or nut combination.

RUM RAISIN TRUFFLES

Steps:

• In a heatproof bowl set over simmering water, heat the cream until hot to the touch and turn off the heat. Meanwhile, chop 350 grams of the milk chocolate into small pieces. Add the chocolate and butter to the hot cream, and stir until the chocolate melts.
• Place the raisins and rum in the bowl of a mini food processor or blender and process until the raisins are finely minced. Stir the raisin mixture into the chocolate mixture and set aside at room temperature for at least 6 hours or overnight to cool.
• Using a 1 1/4-inch ice cream scoop, scoop balls of the rum raisin mixture and place them on sheet pans lined with parchment paper.
• To make the tempered chocolate, chop the remaining 400 grams of milk chocolate and place 3/4 of it in a small glass bowl in the microwave for 20 seconds exactly. Stir the chocolate and continue to microwave for 20 seconds at a time, stirring in between, until the chocolate is smooth and shiny. Add the remaining 1/4 of the chocolate and stir until smooth. The chocolate should register 85 to 89 degrees F on a candy thermometer.
• With 2 small spoons, pick up each ball and cover it with tempered chocolate. (You can also use your hands to coat them.) They can look a little messy and "truffle" like. Place the truffle back on the parchment paper. Continue to coat each of the balls until they're all coated with milk chocolate. Allow to sit for a few minutes until the chocolate hardens. Serve at room temperature.

EGGNOG TRUFFLES

Steps:

• 1. Melt 8 ounces of the chocolate as directed on package. Beat cream cheese, confectioners' sugar, nutmeg and extract in large bowl with electric mixer on medium speed mixer until well blended and smooth. Add melted chocolate; beat until well mixed. Cover. Refrigerate at least 4 hours or until firm.
• 2. Shape into 24 (about 3/4-inch) balls. Place on wax paper-lined tray. Refrigerate until ready to dip.
• 3. Coat only 12 truffles at a time. Melt 4 ounces of the remaining chocolate in small microwavable bowl on MEDIUM (50% power) 1 1/2 minutes, stirring after 1 minute. Using a fork, dip 1 truffle at a time into the melted chocolate. Tap back of fork 2 or 3 times against edge of dish to allow excess chocolate to drip off. Place truffles on wax paper-lined tray. (If there are any "bald" spots on truffle, cover with melted chocolate that remains on the fork). Sprinkle truffles with nutmeg. Repeat with remaining 4 ounces chocolate and remaining truffles.
• 4. Refrigerate 1 hour or until chocolate is set. Store truffles between layers of wax paper in airtight container in refrigerator up to 1 week.

ESPRESSO COFFEE TRUFFLES

Steps:

• In a saucepan slowly bring the cream to the boil. Turn off the heat and add the coffee and chocolate. Stir with a whisk until the mixture becomes smooth and the chocolate has melted. The liquid should have become slightly lighter and shinier at this stage. Pour into a jug and leave to cool for about 2 hours or until it has come down to room temperature. See Cook's note*.
• Beat the mixture with an electric whisk for about 1 minute or until it changes color.
• Line a square plastic container with baking paper and pour the chocolate mixture into it. Leave to set in the refrigerator for 2 hours. You can test this by pressing the top with your fingers. Run a spatula around the edges and lift the chocolate on the baking paper out of the dish and swiftly cut it lengthways into even strips of about 2/3-inch. Then cut these into cubes. Put cocoa powder into a flat dish and roll the cubes in it, making sure that they are well coated. The truffles can be kept for about 2 weeks.