Big Batch Rich Chocolate Truffles Food

CHOCOLATE TRUFFLES

Steps:

• Heat the heavy cream in a 2-quart heavy-bottomed saucepan until bubbles begin to form around the edge of the pan. Make sure that you have chopped the chocolate as finely as possible to allow it to melt quickly and easily. Place the chopped chocolate in a medium-size mixing bowl. Make a ganache by pouring about half of the hot cream over the chocolate and letting it sit for 30 seconds to melt the chocolate. Then slowly whisk until smooth and homogenous. Do not add all of the hot cream to the cold chocolate at once; the shock of the temperature extremes would cause the fat in the chocolate to separate. As the chocolate melts, you will see some elasticity if there is no fat separation. This means the chocolate still has an emulsion; the fat molecules are still holding together. If the ganache separates, it loses its elasticity, collapses, and becomes very liquid. I use a hand-held immersion blender to ensure a smooth ganache and to keep the emulsion of the chocolate. Add the remaining cream gradually and mix until all of the hot cream is incorporated and the ganache is smooth and homogenous.
• If the ganache separates, it is very easy to fix. Simply add a small amount of cold cream and whisk well. This will bring the ganache back together. The ganache should be thick, shiny, and smooth. Add the desired flavoring and mix until fully incorporated. Pour the ganache onto a plastic wrap-covered baking sheet and spread evenly with a rubber spatula. Cover the ganache with plastic wrap and allow it to cool for at least 4 hours at room temperature. I usually make the ganache at the end of the day and let it cool overnight. As it cools, it will thicken and set.
• When the ganache has cooled to the consistency of toothpaste, scrape it into a pastry bag fitted with a 1/2-inch plain tip. Do not stir the ganache when you do this. Incorporating air by stirring will cause the ganache to harden. Pipe 1-inch-diameter mounds spaced 1 inch apart on a parchment paper-covered baking sheet. To pipe the mounds, hold the pastry bag at a slight angle and allow the tip to touch the parchment as you begin to pipe. Once you have formed the mound, stop squeezing and lift the tip straight up, leaving a small tail on the top of each mound. You can also use a spoon and drop small mounds of ganache onto the baking sheet. Let the truffles harden at room temperature for a couple of hours (or in the refrigerator for 15 minutes), until they are hard enough to roll with your hands.
• When I roll the truffles, I usually wear surgical gloves. The gloves are not mandatory but if you do not use them, be sure your hands are very clean. To roll the mound into a ball, place a truffle between both palms, squeeze slightly, and roll between your hands. The truffles will look nicer if they are as round as possible. When all the truffles are rolled into balls, they are ready to be coated. If they have become too soft, place them in the refrigerator for 1 to 2 hours until they are firm enough to dip.
• You can use either a dipping fork or your hands to dip the truffles in chocolate. To use the fork, drop the truffle into the bowl of tempered chocolate and then retrieve it with the dipping fork. Hold the fork over the bowl for several seconds to allow the excess chocolate to drip back into the bowl. Gently scrape the bottom of the fork against the side of the bowl to remove any excess chocolate and roll the dipped truffle in the desired garnish. Place on a parchment paper-covered baking sheet. If you use your hands, dab some chocolate in the palm of one hand. Roll the truffle in that palm to completely coat it with chocolate. Place the enrobed truffle on the baking sheet. Repeat for the remaining truffles. This method is very quick but it can also be extremely messy.
• When all of the truffles have been coated once, repeat the enrobing procedure. This is necessary only when you enrobe the truffles by hand rather than with a fork. The truffles are usually more evenly coated when dipped with a fork. As soon as each truffle gets a second coating, immediately roll it in the desired garnish. You need to do this before the chocolate sets or the topping will not adhere. At this stage, it is good to have a friend help because it is hard to dip and roll at the same time. Place the truffles on a clean parchment paper-covered baking sheet and allow them to set, about 5 minutes.
• The truffles will keep for up to 2 weeks at room temperature, when stored in an airtight container.
• To toast coconut: Preheat the oven to 400°F (204°C). Spread the coconut on a baking sheet and place in the oven for about 3 minutes. Remove from the oven and stir to keep the sugar in the coconut from burning. Return to the oven and toast until golden brown, about 3 more minutes. Remove the baking sheet from the oven and cool on a wire rack.
• To toast nuts: Preheat oven to 300°F (148°C). Spread the nuts evenly on a baking sheet and place in the oven. Toast for about 30 minutes, until they are golden brown. You will be able to smell the nuts when they are ready. A good test is to break a nut in half and check to see if it is light brown on the inside. Toasting nuts brings out their natural flavor. Remove them from the oven and allow to cool completely on the baking sheet on a wire rack.

RICH CHOCOLATE TRUFFLE PIE

Steps:

• In microwave dish combine chocolate chips and 1/2 of the cream. Cook on high for 1 to 2 minutes, stirring every 30 seconds until smooth. Cool to room temperature. Stir in sugar & vanilla. Set aside.
• In small bowl, beat the rest of the cream until soft peaks form. Beat in chocolate mixture on high speed 1/3 at a time. mix well and spoon into crust.
• Refrigerate at least 8 hours before serving.

RICH CHOCOLATE TRUFFLES

Steps:

• In saucepan, combine whipping cream & butter.
• Cook over medium heat, stirring constantly, just until mixture boils; remove from heat. Stir in chocolates until melted; continue stirring until mixture cools & thickens slightly.
• Stir in vanilla.
• Pour into shallow glass dish.
• Cover; chill until firm.
• With spoon scoop mixture into 1 inch balls.
• Coating Melt chocolate & shortening over low heat; stirring constantly.
• (use 1 Tbsp of shortening for every 6 oz. of chocolate).
• When mixture is smooth remove from heat. Dip each truffle into coating.
• (I found dr opping them in the chocolate & then fishing them out with a spoon worked best. But work quickly or they will melt) Then either place them on foil or in foil candy papers & allow to harden.
• Mix powdered sugar & milk.
• Drizzle over truffles in various designs.

BIG BATCH RICH CHOCOLATE TRUFFLES

Steps:

• Chop the chocolate and butter into small pieces and place in a large metal bowl.
• Bring the cream to a boil.
• Immediately pour the hot cream over the chocolate and butter.
• Stir until the chocolate and butter are completely melted.
• Stir in the brandy.
• Pour the ganache into a flat, shallow, ungreased pan and chill until firm.
• Shape the ganache into rough balls using a melon ball cutter.
• Immediately drop each ball into a pan of sifted cocoa powder or confectioner s sugar, rolling it around to coat completely.
• Truffles can be stored in the refrigerator for 7 to 10 days.
• Allow them to soften slightly at room temperature before serving.

DARK CHOCOLATE TRUFFLES

Steps:

• Heat chocolate, oil, and 3 tablespoons water in a double boiler, stirring, until just melted. Remove from heat and stir in vanilla and sea salt.
• Transfer to an 8-inch baking dish and refrigerate until mixture is set but still pliable, about 2 hours.
• Using a 1-inch scoop or melon baller, scoop out chocolate mixture and transfer to a parchment-lined baking sheet. Coat hands in cocoa and roll chocolate into balls. Refrigerate on parchment-lined baking sheet 10 minutes.

BIG BATCH NUTTY CHOCOLATE FANTASY FUDGE

Steps:

• Line 13x9-inch pan with foil, with ends of foil extending over sides. Bring sugar, butter and evaporated milk to full rolling boil in large saucepan on medium heat, stirring constantly. Cook 7 to 8 min. or until mixture reaches 234°F on candy thermometer, stirring constantly. Remove from heat.
• Add chocolate and marshmallow creme; stir until melted. Add nuts and vanilla; mix well.
• Pour into prepared pan; spread to evenly cover bottom of pan. Cool completely. Use foil handles to lift fudge from pan before cutting into 1-inch squares.

CHOCOLATE CHIP COOKIE DOUGH TRUFFLES

Steps:

• Mix cream cheese, brown sugar, and vanilla extract together in a bowl until smooth; add flour and mix until incorporated. Sprinkle salt over dough and fold in chocolate chips. Form dough into 1- to 2-inch balls and arrange on a baking sheet. Freeze until set, about 30 minutes.
• Melt confectioners' chocolate in the top of a double boiler over simmering water, stirring frequently and scraping down the sides with a rubber spatula to avoid scorching. Dip cookie balls into chocolate and place on a sheet of aluminum foil or waxed paper until hardened, at least 20 minutes.

AMAZING DOUBLE CHOCOLATE TRUFFLES

Steps:

• Melt baking chocolate in a heavy saucepan over low heat, stirring constantly.
• Remove from heat.
• Add butter and cream and stir until smooth.
• Refrigerate for 1 hour.
• Roll mixture into one inch balls.
• Place on an aluminum foil baking sheet and freeze for 4 hours.
• Melt white chocolate and shortening over low heat, stirring until smooth.
• Dip frozen truffles into white chocolate and return to baking sheet.
• Roll in sprinkles or nuts, if desired.
• Refrigerate for 10-15 minutes for coating to set.
• Store in an airtight container.

CHOCOLATE TRUFFLES

Steps:

• For ganache, break chocolate into small pieces in a large aluminum bowl.
• Bring cream slowly to a light boil in a small saucepan over low heat.
• Pour boiling cream over chocolate and keep stirring until all the chocolate has melted and the batter is homogeneous. It is very important that there are no pieces of chocolate left here and that the batter is very smooth.
• Refrigerate for 15 minutes or until ganache is just thick enough to easily form truffle balls.
• Form even round balls and place on waxed paper, slightly flattening bottom.
• For coating, melt the chocolate in a double-boiler. If you don't have a double boiler, heat 2 inches of water in a small saucepan. Break chocolate into small pieces in a small aluminum bowl. Turn off heat and place bowl on top of saucepan with hot water. Let chocolate melt and stir until smooth. Place bowl of melted chocolate on a dry towel.
• Sift together cocoa powder and icing sugar.
• Dip each ball in the melted chocolate (slightly cooled, but not hardened); place back on waxed paper to let chocolate harden slightly.
• When chocolate is hardened enough so that it doesn't rub off on your finger, roll in cocoa mixture. Store truffles in covered container at room temperature in a slightly cool place away from heat.
• Here are a few variations. If coating in cocoa powder, sift first with a little icing sugar or it will be too bitter.
• White Chocolate Truffles: Using high quality white chocolate, follow the same recipe as above.
• Coconut Truffles: Make a white chocolate ganache, sprinkle in shredded coconut when ganache is still warm, and roll in shredded coconut instead of cocoa powder.
• Rum Raisin: Make a dark chocolate ganache, soak raisins in rum and drain, add raisins to warm ganache.
• Orange Grand Marnier: Make a dark chocolate ganache, soak small cubes of orange rind in Grand Marnier and drain, stir in orange cubes when ganache is still warm.
• Hazelnut: Make a milk chocolate ganache, stir in tiny pieces of hazelnut, and roll in chopped hazelnuts and/or cocoa powder.
• Pistachio: Make a dark chocolate ganache, crush unsalted pistachio's and stir into warm ganache, roll in crushed pistachios and/or cocoa powder.
• Coffee Truffles: Roll in coffee powder instead of cocoa.