Espresso Truffles Food

ESPRESSO CHOCOLATE TRUFFLES WITH TOFFEE

Steps:

• Chop the chocolate and put in a heatproof bowl. Bring the heavy cream, butter and salt to a simmer in a saucepan over medium heat; pour over the chocolate and let sit until completely melted, about 10 minutes. Stir with a rubber spatula or whisk until smooth. (If necessary, microwave in 20-second intervals until the chocolate melts.)
• Whisk in the vanilla extract, then the espresso. Stir until the ganache is smooth and shiny. Pour into a shallow baking dish and refrigerate until firm, at least 3 hours or overnight.
• Roll tablespoonfuls of the ganache into 18 to 24 balls, then roll in crushed toffee bars. Transfer to a parchment-lined baking sheet, cover with plastic wrap and refrigerate until firm, at least 1 hour or overnight. (To make these in advance, roll into balls but do not coat; cover and freeze up to 2 weeks. Let sit at room temperature for 20 minutes before uncovering, then roll in coating.)

MILK CHOCOLATE-ESPRESSO TRUFFLES

Steps:

• Stir first 3 ingredients in top of double boiler set over simmering water until smooth. Remove from over water. Whisk in Kahlúa. Cool 15 minutes. Freeze until firm, about 2 hours.
• Line baking sheet with foil. Place cocoa powder on plate. Scoop chocolate mixture by very generously mounded teaspoonfuls onto prepared sheet, forming 1-inch mounds. Dust hands with cocoa powder; roll mounds between palms, forming smooth balls, then roll in cocoa powder to coat lightly. Return to sheet. Cover with foil; chill truffles until firm, at least 2 hours. (Can be made ahead. Chill in covered container up to 1 week or freeze up to 1 month.) Let stand at room temperature until slightly softened before serving.

ESPRESSO TRUFFLES

Steps:

• IN A SMALL saucepan, combine cream and espresso powder, whisking well. Bring to a simmer over low heat.
• IN A MEDIUM combine 8 1/2 ounces bittersweet chocolate and 2 ounces semi-sweet. Pour hot cream over chocolate, stirring until melted.Let chocolate cool.
• WHEN CHOCOLATE is cool but not set whip with wooden spoon until lighter in texture and color.
• ROLL tablespoonfuls of chocolate mixture between your palms to form balls Place on parchment paper and refrigerate to harden.
• IN A SMALL MICROWAVEABLE BOWL combine remaining 6 ounces of bittersweet and 3 ounces semi-sweet chocolate. Melt in a microwave on medium for 30 second intervals until melted. Stir well.
• DIP hardened chocolate pieces in melted chocolate, covering well. Place on parchment paper. When chocolate coating begins to set dust with cocoa powder and sprinkle sugar on top.

ESPRESSO TRUFFLE CREAM FROSTING

Steps:

• Place cream, corn syrup and butter in a microwave safe bowl and microwave on med-high until hot but not boiling--about 1 minute.
• Stir in espresso and the chocolate and stir until melted.
• When cool to the touch, use a mixer and mix on medium, scraping down the bowl often, until the color lightens.
• Frost your cake immediately since this frosting sets up quickly; if needed, you can mix in more cream, a teaspoon at a time for an easier spreading consistency.
• Keep the cake refrigerated or frozen until ready to serve.

CHOCOLATE ESPRESSO SAMBUCA TRUFFLES

Steps:

• In a double boiler or in a metal bowl set over a pan of barely simmering water melt chocolate and butter with cream and espresso, stirring until smooth. Remove top of double boiler or bowl from heat and stir in liqueur. Cool mixture and chill, covered, at least 3 hours, or until firm.
• Form rounded teaspoons of mixture into balls and roll balls in cocoa powder, coating them. Truffles keep, layered between sheets of wax paper and chilled, in airtight containers 2 weeks.