Monday, April 30, 2012

Homemade Chocolate Truffles

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This weekend Bertie’s Bakery embarked on a whole new journey!

Chocolate truffles!Truffles-3

I love chocolate truffles, and I have always wanted to learn more about the art of tempering chocolate, so with that I took the plunge into a day of chocolate! There were a lot of lessons learned, but I will say that the time spent was well worth it as the end product was a huge success!

I started with about a pound of chocolate. IMG_0115The milk chocolate was for the centers and the dark chocolate was for the outer shell. The biggest tip that I can offer about chocolate truffles is that you MUST be organized! Prepping the chocolate, measuring the weights, having all of your tools ready, etc. is key to being successful. Once you start heating your chocolate, there is no turning back (or time to run around your kitchen looking for you favorite spatula!).

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Once the milk chocolate ganache was made I pressed plastic wrap down onto the top layer of the chocolate.  This helps protect it from getting a thicker skin on top as it cools.IMG_0123

Then using my mini cookie scoop (1.5mm) I scooped endless amounts of ganache onto a parchment paper lined sheet pan.Truffles-8IMG_0128

Now there is absolutely nothing wrong with plain milk chocolate, but I figured this was going to make a lot of truffles and it might be nice to change it up a little. The pan above has: 1) Plain mild chocolate 2) caramel center, 3) pistachio center, and 4) dark chocolate coffee.

Since these rough scoops of ganache need to be hand rolled into nicer, rounder balls, I pushed the pistachios a little further down and popped them back into the fridge to cool. Once they come out cold and a little firm they are much much easier to handle and shape.Truffles-6

I do apologize that there are no pictures of the actual dipping process, but the Boss was off on his trail run and I only have so many hands to balance the delicate and time sensitive steps! Hopefully you can forgive me and will settle for pictures of the final product???Truffles-7

Going from the top row and working our way down (on the photo below):

The green sprinkles on top are the pistachio.
The coco powder dust is the pure milk chocolate.
The dark chocolate drizzle is the dark chocolate coffee.
The white drizzle is the caramel filled ganache center.

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Finally I packaged the chocolates up (what was left of them) and disbursed them to friends! I am excited! The flavors worked out fantastic, and I can’t stop thinking about what to put in the next batch!

I’m thinking a peanut butter ganache center is going to be a must! What about you?

15 comments:

Shelly said... Best Blogger Tips[Reply to comment]Best Blogger Templates

I think peanut butter sounds like a yummy idea! Wish I could try the dark chocolate coffee too. Thanks for making me hungry!!

Kendra (Royal Cookie Designs) said... Best Blogger Tips[Reply to comment]Best Blogger Templates

Dark chocolate with coconut centers, milk chocolate with toffee crunch topping, white chocolate with hazelnuts...I could go on and on ;) Your chocolates look amazing!! Let me know if you have too many extras and I can send you my address LOL

Victoria said... Best Blogger Tips[Reply to comment]Best Blogger Templates

Oh...now that you've started making truffles, you won't be able to stop.

-Gingerbread truffles (add a bit of molasses, ginger, cinnamon and nutmeg)
-Lemon (take lemon rind, steep in cream, strain, then blend cream with chocolate)
-Ginaduja (butter, powdered sugar, and finely ground hazelnuts)
-Cranberry (same process as the lemon truffles above, just with cranberries)
-Mint (again, same process as the lemon, but with fresh spearmint leaves)
-Lavender (just add some lavender extract)
-Saffron maple - trust me on this one. And ask me for the recipe.

Bobbie said... Best Blogger Tips[Reply to comment]Best Blogger Templates

@Kendra (Royal Cookie Designs)
Hazelnuts would bring it to a whole new level!

Alli said... Best Blogger Tips[Reply to comment]Best Blogger Templates

Oh man....these look so delicious, I wish I had them right now! I'm a big almond and chocolate fan, and I think coconut would be yummy too.

Christi said... Best Blogger Tips[Reply to comment]Best Blogger Templates

Girl you are freakin' baking/cooking rock star! I bow to you!

Paula said... Best Blogger Tips[Reply to comment]Best Blogger Templates

Beautiful looking truffles. Good for you!

krystyna47 said... Best Blogger Tips[Reply to comment]Best Blogger Templates

Not sure if this breaks any truffle "laws", but what about a creamy fudge center with a dark chocolate outer layer? YUM!

Molly said... Best Blogger Tips[Reply to comment]Best Blogger Templates

*drool* I LOVE truffles! They look amazing!

The Boyds said... Best Blogger Tips[Reply to comment]Best Blogger Templates

Can I order a second batch? Completely addicting :)

Anonymous said... Best Blogger Tips[Reply to comment]Best Blogger Templates

Thanks for the nice words on my blog! Your site is fantastic! You are quite talented.

Connie the Cookie Monster said... Best Blogger Tips[Reply to comment]Best Blogger Templates

how did u get them so perfectly round?!?! ps: ghirardelli chocolate is thebomb.com

Hazel Jack said... Best Blogger Tips[Reply to comment]Best Blogger Templates

Make use of the machine whenever you are in need of, as it can deliver with your required cubes instantly unlike other devices. ice scoop

Oliver Brown said... Best Blogger Tips[Reply to comment]Best Blogger Templates

What a great post that you have shared here. You make information effortless for us that we get good facts about it. Thanks for this informative blog. Chocolate Coffee Shop Sydney

Laura Bush said... Best Blogger Tips[Reply to comment]Best Blogger Templates

Such a lovely collection about chocolates which you have shared here. I liked your way to express your views in this article. Thank you for sharing this blog with us. Grown Olive Trees For Sale

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