Chocolate Covered Pecan Butter Truffles Food

CHOCOLATE-PECAN TRUFFLES

Steps:

• Preheat a broiler. Spread the nuts on a foil-lined baking sheet and place under the broiler for about a minute to toast them lightly and evenly. Do not allow them to burn. Set them aside.
• Shave the chocolate into a heatproof mixing bowl and place the bowl over a pan of simmering water until the chocolate is nearly all melted. Remove the bowl and stir the chocolate until smooth. Stir in the nuts and allow to cool to room temperature.
• Stir in the butter and the bourbon. Refrigerate the mixture until it is firm.
• When firm, remove from the refrigerator and allow to soften for about 15 minutes. Place the cocoa in a shallow dish. Using a spoon, scoop half-tablespoons of the chocolate mixture, form somewhat uneven balls about an inch in diameter and roll them quickly into the cocoa. Refrigerate until ready to serve. The balls can also be frozen without the cocoa for later use and dusted with cocoa just before serving.

BOURBON PECAN CHOCOLATE TRUFFLES

Steps:

• Put the chocolate in a medium bowl. Heat the cream in a small saucepan until it just comes to a boil. Pour the cream over the chocolate and stir once to mix the chocolate and cream together. Cover the bowl with plastic wrap and let stand at room temperature for 5 minutes. Uncover and whisk until smooth and shiny. Microwave in 10 second increments if there are any un-melted lumps of chocolate. Stir in the bourbon.
• Press a piece of plastic wrap directly against the surface of the chocolate and set aside in a cool place until the chocolate is thick and firm enough to hold its shape when rolled, about 2 hours.
• Line a baking sheet with parchment. Use 2 spoons to drop small mounds of chocolate onto the baking sheet. Then, with cold hands, roll each truffle between your open palms to make smooth round balls. You may need to run your hands under cool water frequently as you work.
• Put the pecans on a plate and roll each truffle until well coated. Refrigerate until very cold.

PECAN-BUTTER TRUFFLES

Steps:

• Finely chop 1/2 cup pecans.
• In a food processor grind remaining 2 cups pecans with a pinch salt, occasionally scraping down side of bowl, until pecans release their oil and mixture becomes a smooth paste, about 3 minutes. Transfer pecan butter to a bowl and stir in remaining ingredients until combined well.
• Form level teaspoons of pecan butter into balls and roll, no more than 2 at a time, in chopped pecans, pressing pecans gently to make adhere. Chill truffles, in layers separated by wax paper, in an airtight container at least 1 hour, or until firm, and up to 4 days.

BACON-PECAN CHOCOLATE TRUFFLES

Steps:

• Place dark chocolate chips in a small bowl. In a small saucepan, heat butter and cream just to simmering. Pour over chocolate; stir until smooth. Stir in bacon. Cool to room temperature, stirring occasionally. Refrigerate, covered, 1-1/2 hours or until firm enough to shape., For coating, place baking chips in a small bowl. In a small saucepan, bring cream just to a boil. Pour over baking chips; stir with a whisk until smooth. Stir in maple flavoring. Cool completely, stirring occasionally, about 1-1/2 hours., Shape dark chocolate mixture into 1-in. balls. Dip truffles in maple mixture; allow excess to drip off. Roll in pecans; place on a waxed paper-lined 15x10x1-in. baking pan. Refrigerate until set. Store between layers of waxed paper in an airtight container in the refrigerator.