How to Truffle

Nothing makes your guests feel more special than serving up luxurious and wonderful chocolate treats. Try this DIY truffle recipe and go creative on all the possible flavor combinations.

To make the ganache, use a saucepan to bring 1 quart of heavy cream to a simmer. In a large bowl, combine 3 pounds of chopped semisweet or bittersweet chocolate, 1 stick of unsalted butter and a dash of salt.

Pour the hot cream on top. let stand for 5 minutes. Whisk until smooth.

If you choose to experiment with different flavor combinations, divide the ganache mixture into individual bowls. For each batch, stir in desired combos of either 1 1/2 Tbsp. of liquor, 1/2 cup of finely ground nuts or instant coffee, 1/4 cup of low-sugar preserves. Mix in flavors that combine well with chocolate. Cover and refrigerate overnight or at least 4 hours until chilled and firm.

PossIble Flavor CoMbInaTIons: • orange marmalade and Grand Marnier or Cointreau • raspberry preserves and Chambord • Instant coffee and Kahlua • Ground almonds and amaretto • Mint chips and Crème de Menthe • Coconut and Dark rum

Using a melon ball scooper, scoop out mixture and roll between palms to shape a smooth ball. Place on baking sheets and refrigerate for 10 minutes. Meanwhile heat 12 oz. of chocolate until melted and smooth to temper chocolate. When chocolate cools, coat balls by placing on fork and dipping in chocolate. Refrigerate until hard and then roll in cocoa powder, chopped almonds, crushed mint candies, toasted coconut flakes, sprinkles, confectioner’s sugar, dried fruit, cinnamon, pretty much anything you like that can be crushed can top your truffles.

Always use quality ingredients to make your truffles.

As you’re scooping the ganache, work quickly or it will get too warm and start sticking. Put the bowl back into the fridge to re-chill if necessary.

Chocolate truffles make great gifts. Place them in fancy mini-cupcake liners and wrap in some tissue paper or cellophane for an impressive gift.

Pair your homemade truffles with some piping-hot Irish coffee while sitting in front of a warm fire and your friends will think they’ve died and gone to Martha Stewart heaven.

Don't feel like whipping up the cream yourself? Try topping with CREAM alcohol infused whipped cream. Their new holiday peppermint flavor will be an instant hit.

OLD FASHIONED IRISH COFFEE

INGREDIENTS

Whipping Cream 2 Tbsp. Powdered Sugar Dash of Vanilla 1 shot of Irish whiskey or brandy 1 Tbsp. Granulated sugar, brown sugar, or three sugar cubes Coffee

FUN FACT

In 1942, Joe Sheridan, a young Irish Chef, was asked to prepare something that would warm up VIP passengers traveling to the Foynes airbase near Ireland after a bumpy flight. He served his brew for the first time and called it Irish coffee. The rest, as they say, is history.

PREPARATION

Beat the whipping cream, powdered sugar and vanilla in small chilled bowl until stiff, then refrigerate. Make pot of coffee. Rinse Irish coffee glasses under hot water. Put liquor and sugar in each mug and stir. Pour your coffee into mug and float top with whipped cream. Can crumble or grate chocolate on top.

VARIATIONS

Baileys Irish Crème - Add 1 1/2 oz. of Bailey’s instead of sugar. Try sprinkling ground cinnamon on top or garnish with cinnamon stick. Mexican Coffee - Add a 1/2 oz. of 1800 Tequila to the recipe.