Dark Chocolate And Hazelnut Candies Food

CHOCOLATE HAZELNUT BALLS

Steps:

• Add 1 cup hazelnuts into a food processor fitted with the S-blade and process until hazelnuts are chopped into small pieces.
• Add cacao powder, maple syrup, vanilla, sea salt and chocolate (if using) into the processor and pulse a few more times, until the ingredients start to stick together. If the mixture seems too dry, add a little water, 1 teaspoon at a time until the mixture holds together well enough to be formed into balls. Be sure not to add too much water.
• Roll mixture into bite-size balls and insert one hazelnut into the center of each, forming the ball around it. This step is totally optional, but makes the bites more like the traditional Ferrero Rocher.
• Chop remaining 4 hazelnuts into tiny pieces. Roll each ball in the mixture to coat the outside.

NO-BAKE HAZELNUT AND CHOCOLATE CANDIES

Steps:

• Preheat the oven to 350 degrees F. Spread the hazelnuts on a small rimmed baking sheet and bake until toasted and golden, 10 to 12 minutes. Let cool completely.
• Line a baking sheet with parchment or wax paper; set aside.
• Combine the confectioners' sugar, rice cereal and salt in a food processor and pulse until finely chopped. Add the chocolate-hazelnut spread and butter. Pulse until the mixture begins to form clumps and holds together when squeezed.
• Roll teaspoons of the mixture into balls, pressing a hazelnut into the center of each so the top of the nut is still visible; place on the prepared baking sheet. Freeze until firm, about 20 minutes.
• Put the chocolate and shortening in a small microwave-safe bowl. Microwave in 30-second intervals, stirring, until the chocolate melts and the mixture is smooth. Gently stick a toothpick into the upper half of a candy, avoiding the hazelnut, and dip the bottom half into the melted chocolate. Allow the excess chocolate to drip into the bowl and return the dipped candy to the baking sheet. Remove the toothpick and smooth the hole with your fingertip. Repeat with the remaining candies. Refrigerate until firm, about 20 minutes.

SALTED DARK CHOCOLATE HAZELNUT CARAMEL TRUFFLES

Steps:

• Heat hazelnut spread in metal bowl over saucepan of gently simmering water and stir until hazelnut spread is warm, smooth, and easily stirred, about 5 minutes. Remove bowl from heat.
• Dissolve sugar in water in a small saucepan over medium heat. Brush sides of pan with a moistened pastry brush occasionally as sugar mixture cooks. Increase heat to medium-high and bring syrup to a boil and cook until syrup is a deep amber color, brushing down sides and swirling saucepan occasionally to prevent scorching, about 4 minutes.
• Pour cream into the syrup while stirring. Reduce heat to low and cook, stirring continually, until you have a smooth caramel, 5 to 10 minutes; gently stir into the melted hazelnut spread with 1/4 teaspoon sea salt.
• Refrigerate caramel mixture until firm, at least 3 hours.
• Spread cocoa powder into the bottom of a wide, shallow bowl.
• Scoop caramel mixture with a melon baller into 1 tablespoon portions; roll in the cocoa powder to coat; arrange onto a baking sheet.
• Cover truffle balls with plastic wrap and chill overnight or 8 hours.
• Line a 13x9x2-inch baking sheet with aluminum foil.
• Heat chopped chocolate in a metal bowl set over a saucepan of gently simmering water, stirring frequently until chocolate is melted and smooth and the chocolate reaches a temperature of 115 degrees F (46 degrees c). Remove bowl from over water.
• Working quickly, submerge each truffle ball in the melted chocolate. Lift truffles from chocolate with a fork and tap fork against side of bowl to remove excess coating. Transfer truffle to foil-lined pan to cool. Repeat with remaining truffle balls.
• Sprinkle finished truffles lightly with 1 tablespoon coarse sea salt before the chocolate hardens. Let stand until coating sets completely, at least 1 hour.