Chipotle Salted Chocolate Truffles Food

DARK CHOCOLATE CHIPOTLE COOKIES

Steps:

• Preheat the oven to 350 degrees F.
• In a large bowl, mix together the flour, baking soda, and salt; set aside.
• In the bowl of an electric mixer, add butter and beat with the paddle attachment until smooth. Scrape the sides of the bowl as necessary to evenly cream it. Add the sugars, sifted cocoa powder and chipotle peppers and mix again at medium speed until light and fluffy, about 1 minute. Add eggs, vanilla and water. Beat at medium speed until combined, about 30 seconds. Add slightly cooled melted chocolate and mix again, scraping bowl to evenly mix everything.
• Add the flour mixture, scraping sides and bottom of the bowl as necessary. When well incorporated, add the chips and mix briefly, about 5 seconds.
• Refrigerate the dough in the bowl until cool and fudge-like, but not solid, for approximately 1 hour. You can use an ice cream scoop to create large, even sized cookies. These cookie-dough balls can also be frozen at this point, and baked right from the freezer whenever the need arises.
• When ready to bake, press the tops of the cookie dough-balls into the sugar, and then top with 2 to 3 pieces of dark chocolate chips. Place onto parchment-lined baking sheets, allowing space for the cookies to spread. Bake for 12 to 14 minutes. Remove the cookies from the oven when they are still a little underdone. Slide the parchment paper with the cookies onto a cooling rack and allow to cool before removing from parchment

CRUNCHY COATED CHOCOLATE TRUFFLES

Steps:

• In a small saucepan, heat the light cream over medium-low heat until it comes to a simmer. Divide the chocolate chips equally into 2 bowls and evenly pour the hot cream between the 2 bowls. Stir until the chocolate is completely melted. Add cinnamon to 1 of the bowls of melted chocolate. Place a spoon or ice pop stick into the bowl with the cinnamon so that you can differentiate it when you scoop them out. Put the ganache into the refrigerator until it firms up, 1 1/2 to 2 hours.
• In the meantime, place the graham cracker boards in a food storage bag and crush with your hands to make crumbs. Put the crumbs and the toasted coconut on separate flat plates.
• Remove the ganache from the refrigerator. Using a small ice cream scoop or tablespoon, scoop out the ganache into the toppings. The cinnamon flavored chocolate goes into the graham cracker crumbs and the plain chocolate goes into the coconut. Roll them around to coat and form small balls. Work quickly to prevent the chocolate from melting. Transfer to a sheet pan and place in the refrigerator for 30 minutes to set. Place on a plate and serve.

EASY CHOCOLATE TRUFFLES

Steps:

• Chop the chocolate and tip into a large bowl. Put the cream and butter into a saucepan and heat gently until the butter melts and the cream reaches simmering point. Remove from heat, then pour over the chocolate. Stir the chocolate and cream together until you have a smooth mixture. Add any flavourings to the truffle mix at this stage (divide the mixture between bowls and mix in liqueurs or other flavourings, a tsp at a time, to taste. Try bourbon, Grand Marnier, coconut rum or the zest and juice of an orange), or leave plain. Cool and chill for at least 4 hrs.
• To shape the truffles, dip a melon baller in hot water and scoop up balls of the mixture, then drop the truffles onto greaseproof paper. Or lightly coat your hands in flavourless oil (such as sunflower) and roll the truffles between your palms. You could also use a piping bag to pipe rounds onto baking parchment.
• Coat your truffles immediately after shaping. Tip toppings into a bowl and gently roll the truffles until evenly coated, then chill on baking parchment. Try: crushed, shelled pistachio nuts; lightly toasted desiccated coconut; or roll a truffle flavoured with orange zest and juice in cocoa powder. To coat in chocolate, line a baking tray with baking parchment. Melt 100g milk, dark or white chocolate for 10 truffles. Allow chocolate to cool slightly. With a fork, pick up one truffle at a time and hold over the bowl of melted chocolate. Spoon the chocolate over the truffle until well-coated. Place on the baking tray, then chill.
• To give as presents, place 8-10 truffles in individual foil or paper cases inside small, lined boxes tied with ribbon. Keep in the fridge until you're ready to give them. Will keep in an airtight container in the fridge for three days, or frozen for up to a month. Defrost in the fridge overnight.