Chocolate Liqueur Truffles Food

CHOCOLATE TRUFFLES WITH LIQUEUR

Steps:

• In microwave using medium-low power, melt chocolate in a medium-sized bowl-- the length of time this will take will depend on the strength of your microwave, but expect it to take at least 1 minute.
• Whisk in butter and egg yolk until blended; then whisk in liqueur and icing sugar until smooth.
• Cover and refrigerate until firm enough to shape, about 1 hour.
• Shape mixture into small balls, roll balls in cocoa, then place in tiny foil or paper cups.
• The above will be a messy job on your hands-- they will get quite chocolatey; if mixture gets too soft, return it to the fridge to stiffen up again.
• Keep truffles refrigerated in a covered container; remove from fridge about 30 minutes before serving to take the chill off them.

CHOCOLATE LIQUEUR TRUFFLES

Steps:

• Break chocolate up and place in a bowl with the brandy. Place bowl over a saucepan of simmering water. Stir gently to combine until the chocolate is smooth.
• Stir in the butter and egg yolk until well combined (the heat from the chocolate will help melt the butter).
• Refrigerate until firm enough to shape into balls - I made mine slightly larger than standard marbles, but it's up to you and your conscience! Roll each ball in the cocoa (or you could experiment with chocolate hail, crushed pistachio nuts, etc. I used drinking chocolate, as it's sweeter than plain cocoa).
• Return to the fridge (or freeze, as desired). Serve chilled.

CHOCOLATE ORANGE TRUFFLES

Steps:

• In a medium saucepan over medium-high heat, combine butter and cream. Bring to a boil, and remove from heat. Stir in 4 ounces chopped chocolate, orange liqueur, and orange zest; continue stirring until smooth. Pour truffle mixture into a shallow bowl or a 9X5 in loaf pan. Chill until firm, about 2 hours.
• Line a baking sheet with waxed paper. Shape chilled truffle mixture by rounded teaspoons into small balls (a melon baller also works well for this part). Place on prepared baking sheet. Chill until firm, about 30 minutes.
• In the top of a double boiler over lightly simmering water, melt remaining 4 ounces chocolate with the oil, stirring until smooth. Cool to lukewarm.
• Drop truffles, one at a time, into melted chocolate mixture. Using 2 forks, lift truffles out of the chocolate, allowing any excess chocolate to drip back into the pan before transferring back onto baking sheet. Chill until set.

LOW FAT CHOCOLATE TRUFFLES

Steps:

• Gently melt the chocolate (either in a large bowl over a pan of simmering water, or nuke it in the microwave in short bursts)and set aside.
• Gently pour in the liqueur and, using a spatula, give it a slow turn of the bowl until the consistency thickens. The texture of the chocolate will thicken really quickly.
• Add the honey a tablespoon at a time, slowly mixing with the chocolate until the mixture gets really nice and glossy.
• Chill the bowl in the fridge for 30 minutes or until the truffle mixture has returned to a nearly solid form.
• Sieve three generous tablespoons cocoa powder onto a clean chopping board / large bowl / work surface.
• Scrape out a teaspoonful of the mixture into the palm of your hand and roll into a marble-sized ball, then roll this through the cocoa powder until fully coated.
• Repeat until all the mixture is used up.
• Store in the fridge in a jar or Tupperware tub.

CHOCOLATE RASPBERRY CHAMBORD TRUFFLES FOR YOUR VALENTINE!

Steps:

• In a 2 quart saucepan over medium heat, bring the cream, butter, and raspberry jam to a simmer, stirring occasionally until butter and jam are melted.
• Remove from heat; stir in the chocolate until melted and smooth.
• Stir in the liqueur, mixing well.
• Transfer to a bowl and chill covered, for 4 hours or until firm.
• Working quickly roll chocolate mixture into 1 1/2 inch balls, placing them on a parchment paper lined cookie tray as you go.
• Cover and refrigerate for 1 hour, or until firm.
• Roll chocolate balls in cocoa powder, place in mini paper cups.
• Store in an airtight container, with parchment between the layers.
• Keep chilled until ready to serve, for up to 2 weeks.

CHOCOLATE TRUFFLES WITH NUTS AND LIQUEUR

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, stirring them once during the browning. Do not allow them to burn. Set them aside.
• Break 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 from the pan of water and stir the chocolate until smooth. Stir in the nuts and allow to cool to room temperature.
• Stir in butter and liqueur. Refrigerate mixture until it is firm enough to handle, an hour or longer.
• When firm, remove the mixture from the refrigerator and allow it to soften for about 15 minutes. Place the cocoa in a shallow dish. Using a spoon, scoop up half-tablespoons of the chocolate mixture, and using your fingertips, form somewhat uneven balls about an inch in diameter and roll them quickly in the cocoa. Place them in a shallow dish and refrigerate until ready to serve. The balls can also be frozen without the cocoa for later use, and then dusted with cocoa just before serving.

GODIVA CHOCOLATE TRUFFLES

Steps:

• Make the truffles:.
• Heat heavy cream, butter and sugar in medium saucepan over medium heat to a gentle boil. Remove from heat. Add chopped chocolate and let stand 30 seconds. Whisk until smooth. Stir in cognac.
• Place saucepan in bowl of ice water. Beat chocolate mixture until it thickens, holds its shape and is firm enough to pipe, using hand-held electric mixer at medium speed.
• Transfer ganache to pastry bag fitted with 1/2-inch plain tip (such as Ateco #6). Pipe 1-inch mounds onto baking sheet. Freeze truffles for 15 minutes or until just firm enough to shape.
• With hands dusted with confectioners' sugar, gently roll ganache into 1-inch balls. Refrigerate about 10 minutes or just until firm.
• Coat the truffles:.
• Roll one-third of the truffles in confectioners' sugar. Roll another third in cocoa powder. Then roll remaining truffles in chopped walnuts. Store truffles in airtight container in refrigerator up to 5 days.
• To serve:
• Remove truffles from refrigerator 30 minutes before serving. Place each truffle in a decorative petit four paper cup and arrange on serving plate.