Crispy Chocolate Truffles Food

CRISPY CHOCOLATE TRUFFLES

Steps:

• Add the heavy cream to a small saucepan. Use a paring knife to split the vanilla bean lengthwise. Scrape the vanilla beans seeds from the pod and add to the cream along with the empty pod. Heat over low until just starting to simmer.
• Meanwhile, use a serrated knife to finely chop the chocolate and put in a heatproof bowl.
• Remove the vanilla pod, squeezing it to release any cream. Discard or reserve for another use.
• Pour 1/3 cup of the hot vanilla cream over the chocolate (measure, as some cream will have evaporated) and use a rubber spatula to stir in small, circular motions until combined. Add the butter and continue to make circular motions until the mixture is completely melted and combined with no bits or streaks of butter. Stir in 1 cup of the puffed cereal, the hazelnuts and orange zest. Cover the bowl with plastic wrap and refrigerate the ganache for 1 hour to firm up.
• Put the remaining 1 cup cereal in a resealable plastic bag and crush with a rolling pin or the back of a pot. Transfer to a shallow bowl.
• Line a sheet pan with parchment. Use a tablespoon to scoop the ganache and roll it into a ball with both hands. Dip the ball in the crushed cereal to coat. Transfer the truffle to the prepared pan. Repeat with the remaining ganache and cereal. Put the truffles in mini muffin liners, if you like.
• Store the truffles in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 2 weeks, or at room temperature for up to 4 days.

CHOCOLATE TRUFFLES

Steps:

• Chop the chocolates finely with a sharp knife. Place them in a heat-proof mixing bowl.
• Heat the cream in a small saucepan until it just boils. Turn off the heat and allow the cream to sit for 20 seconds. Pour the cream through a fine-meshed sieve into the bowl with chocolate. With a wire whisk, slowly stir the cream and chocolates together until the chocolate is completely melted. Whisk in the Grand Marnier, if using, coffee, and vanilla. Set aside at room temperature for 1 hour.
• With 2 teaspoons, spoon round balls of the chocolate mixture onto a baking sheet lined with parchment paper. Refrigerate for 30 minutes, until firm. Roll each dollop of chocolate in your hands to roughly make a round ball. Roll in confectioners' sugar, cocoa powder, or both. These will keep refrigerated for weeks, but serve at room temperature.

ULTIMATE CHOCOLATE TRUFFLE COOKIES

Steps:

• In a large saucepan over low heat, melt the unsweetened chocolate, 1 cup of the chocolate chips, vanilla, and butter together; stirring, until smooth.
• Remove pan from heat; cool for 10 minutes.
• In a large bowl, beat the eggs and sugar together for 2 minutes with an electric mixer on medium speed.
• Beat in the vanilla and chocolate mixture.
• Combine the flour, cocoa powder, baking powder, and salt; add to the chocolate mixture just until combined.
• Stir in the remaining chocolate chips.
• Cover dough and chill for at least 3 hours.
• Remove about 1 cup of the dough from the refrigerator; with lightly floured hands, roll into 1" balls.
• Place 2" apart on ungreased or parchment paper-lined cookie sheets.
• Bake in a preheated 350*F.
• oven for 10-12 minutes, or until lightly puffed and set.
• Cool for 3-4 minutes on the cookie sheets before removing to a wire rack; cool completely.
• Dust with powdered sugar.