Rich and delicious homemade truffles make a great gift for any occasion.
By The Canadian Living Test Kitchen
Looking for the perfect gift? Nothing could be more special or indulgent than our truffles. Dusted in bittersweet cocoa, the crisp chocolate coating encloses a velvety filling that melts luxuriously in your mouth. Almost too good to be true, these truffles are easy to make when you follow our streamlined technique.
Ganache filling: 1 cup (250 mL) whipping cream 1/2 lb (250 g) semisweet or bittersweet chocolate, chopped 2 tbsp (25 mL) chocolate liqueur (or 1 tsp/5 mL vanilla) Icing sugar
Coating: 3/4 lb (375 g) semisweet or bittersweet chocolate, chopped 1 cup (250 mL)unsweetened cocoa powder
Variations: Chocolate Orange Truffles: In filling, substitute orange-flavored liqueur or orange juice for chocolate liqueur; add 1 tbsp (15 mL) finely grated orange rind. Do not roll chocolate-coated truffles in cocoa. Garnish with strips of orange rind just before serving.
Hazelnut Truffles: In filling, substitute hazelnut liqueur for chocolate liqueur; add 1/2 cup (125 mL) ground hazelnuts. Roll chocolate-coated truffles in 2 cups (500 mL) finely chopped toasted hazelnuts instead of cocoa.
Makes about 4 dozen.
Test Kitchen tip: Piping rather than spooning a delicate filling cuts down on handling. If you don't have a pastry bag, make your own from a small sturdy plastic bag by snipping off a little piece of one corner.
