Bittersweet Chocolate Truffles Recipes

Steps:

• For truffle base:
• Bring cream to simmer in heavy small saucepan. Remove from heat; cool to lukewarm, 10 minutes.
• Meanwhile, stir 7 ounces chocolate in metal bowl over saucepan of simmering water until smooth. Remove from heat. Add 2 ounces chocolate; stir until smooth. Stir in cream. Chill truffle base until firm enough to roll, about 3 hours.
• Line rimmed baking sheet with waxed paper. Roll 2 teaspoons truffle base between fingertips into ball. Transfer to prepared sheet. Repeat with remaining truffle base. Chill until firm, about 1 hour.
• For chocolate coating:
• Line another rimmed baking sheet with waxed paper. Stir chocolate in metal bowl over saucepan of simmering water just until melted. Remove from heat. Cool slightly.
• Scoop some of warm (not hot) melted chocolate into palm of hand. Place 1 chilled truffle in hand and roll in palm to coat. Transfer to prepared sheet. Repeat with remaining melted chocolate and truffles, rewarming chocolate if necessary. Roll in cocoa powder if desired. For variations, see page 61 for instructions on rolling in toppings. Chill until firm, about 1 hour. Do ahead Can be made 1 week ahead. Store in airtight container and keep chilled. Let stand at room temperature 1 hour before serving.

Steps:

• Place chocolate in a medium heatproof bowl. Bring cream, salt, and 2 Tbsp. grappa to a simmer in a small saucepan over medium-high heat. As soon as bubbles begin to form at edges of pan, remove from heat and pour over chocolate. Let sit 3 minutes to let chocolate melt. Whisk (or blend with an immersion blender if you have one) until emulsified and smooth. Scrape into a shallow bowl or pie plate. Let ganache cool; cover and chill until firm, at least 2 hours.
• Place cocoa in a medium bowl; set out on table with ganache and some spoons so guests can drag spoons across chocolate to make curls and toss in cocoa. Serve with clementines and amaro.
• Do Ahead
• Ganache can be made 3 days ahead. Keep chilled.

Steps:

• Chop 6 oz. of the chocolate; set aside. Bring cream to boil in medium saucepan on medium heat; remove from heat. Add chopped chocolate and butter; stir until chocolate is completely melted. Cover and freeze 1 to 2 hours or until firm enough to handle.
• Use teaspoon to scoop chocolate mixture into 24 balls, each about 1 inch in diameter; place on wax paper-covered baking sheet. Freeze 20 min.
• Chop remaining 6 oz. chocolate; place in microwaveable bowl. Microwave on HIGH 1-1/2 min. or until chocolate is partially melted; stir until chocolate is completely melted. Carefully dip each ball in chocolate, then return to baking sheet. Drizzle with any remaining chocolate. Refrigerate 30 min. or until firm.

Steps:

• Add coffee granules to cream in large microwaveable bowl; stir until coffee is completely dissolved. Add butter and sugar; mix well.
• Microwave on HIGH 3 min. or until mixture comes to full boil, stirring every 1-1/2 min. Add chocolate and vanilla; stir until chocolate is completely melted.
• Refrigerate 2 hours or until firm enough to handle. Shape into 24 balls, each about 1 inch in diameter. Roll in cocoa and/or coconut.

Steps:

• Place chocolate in a medium bowl. Bring cream to a boil in a small saucepan over medium-high heat; pour over chocolate. Let sit 2 to 3 minutes, then whisk until smooth. Refrigerate (uncovered) until somewhat firm, about 1 hour.
• Spoon mounds (2 level teaspoons each) of chocolate mixture onto a large baking sheet lined with parchment or wax paper. Return to refrigerator 15 minutes.
• With your hands, roll mounds into balls. Place desired coatings in shallow bowls; roll balls in coatings, pressing in and covering completely. Return to baking sheet; chill until set, about 30 minutes.

Steps:

• Place 1/2 pound chocolate in a metal bowl. Bring a saucepan with 2 inches of water to a simmer, and then turn off heat. Set bowl with chocolate over saucepan, and let melt, stirring gently with a rubber spatula until chocolate registers 118 degrees on a candy thermometer. (Watch the chocolate carefully, as heating and cooling times can vary.) Remove bowl from saucepan.
• Add 1/4 pound unmelted chocolate to bowl and stir until chocolate cools to 84 degrees. (Remove any unmelted pieces with spatula.) Return bowl to saucepan, and let stand, and stir until chocolate registers 88 to 90 degrees. Use immediately. Repeat with remaining chocolate.

Steps:

• Heat milk, cream, butter, invert sugar and vanilla to a simmer.
• Pour over chocolate, stir to incorporate and let cool until mixture can be piped.
• Pipe with plain tip on to sheet pan covered with parchment.
• Cool.
• Roll/toss in cocoa powder.

Steps:

• Place the chocolate in a medium-size heatproof bowl.
• Bring the cream just to a boil in a small saucepan. As soon as it begins to boil, pour it through a FINE strainer and into the bowl with the chocolate.
• Whisk the cream and chocolate together until the chocolate is completely melted. Whisk in the Crème de Cassis.
• Cover and refrigerate until stiff and cold, at least 3 hours and up to 1 day.
• Scoop up some of the chilled chocolate mixture with a very small scoop, or a teaspoon and roll between your palms to make 3/4-inch balls (they don't have to be perfectly round). Work quickly so the chocolate doesn't melt in your hands. (I just used the small scoop and did not roll in my hands) Transfer the balls to a waxed paper-lined baking sheet, setting them 1/2-inch apart.
• Wipe your hands periodically with paper towels to remove any chocolate left behind from rolling.
• If the truffle mixture becomes too soft to roll, return it to the refrigerator briefly to firm up before continuing.
• Lightly cover the balls with plastic wrap and return to the refrigerator until cool and firm. Place the *cocoa powder in a pie plate or other flat-bottomed dish with sides, and roll the truffles in the cocoa powder a few at a time, until coated.
• Store the truffles in a waxed paper-lined tin in the refrigerator until ready to serve.
• *Another idea would be to roll the truffles in a finely powdered nut mixture.
• If you'd like to make your own Creme de Cassis, try Recipe #183432.