Irresistible Bittersweet Truffles Food

BITTERSWEET TRUFFLES

Steps:

• Place chocolate in a medium bowl. Bring cream to a boil in a small saucepan over medium-high heat; pour over chocolate. Let sit 2 to 3 minutes, then whisk until smooth. Refrigerate (uncovered) until somewhat firm, about 1 hour.
• Spoon mounds (2 level teaspoons each) of chocolate mixture onto a large baking sheet lined with parchment or wax paper. Return to refrigerator 15 minutes.
• With your hands, roll mounds into balls. Place desired coatings in shallow bowls; roll balls in coatings, pressing in and covering completely. Return to baking sheet; chill until set, about 30 minutes.

EASY CHOCOLATE TRUFFLES

Steps:

• Chop the chocolate and tip into a large bowl. Put the cream and butter into a saucepan and heat gently until the butter melts and the cream reaches simmering point. Remove from heat, then pour over the chocolate. Stir the chocolate and cream together until you have a smooth mixture. Add any flavourings to the truffle mix at this stage (divide the mixture between bowls and mix in liqueurs or other flavourings, a tsp at a time, to taste. Try bourbon, Grand Marnier, coconut rum or the zest and juice of an orange), or leave plain. Cool and chill for at least 4 hrs.
• To shape the truffles, dip a melon baller in hot water and scoop up balls of the mixture, then drop the truffles onto greaseproof paper. Or lightly coat your hands in flavourless oil (such as sunflower) and roll the truffles between your palms. You could also use a piping bag to pipe rounds onto baking parchment.
• Coat your truffles immediately after shaping. Tip toppings into a bowl and gently roll the truffles until evenly coated, then chill on baking parchment. Try: crushed, shelled pistachio nuts; lightly toasted desiccated coconut; or roll a truffle flavoured with orange zest and juice in cocoa powder. To coat in chocolate, line a baking tray with baking parchment. Melt 100g milk, dark or white chocolate for 10 truffles. Allow chocolate to cool slightly. With a fork, pick up one truffle at a time and hold over the bowl of melted chocolate. Spoon the chocolate over the truffle until well-coated. Place on the baking tray, then chill.
• To give as presents, place 8-10 truffles in individual foil or paper cases inside small, lined boxes tied with ribbon. Keep in the fridge until you're ready to give them. Will keep in an airtight container in the fridge for three days, or frozen for up to a month. Defrost in the fridge overnight.

BITTERSWEET CHOCOLATE TRUFFLES

Steps:

• Finely chop the chocolate block or use pistoles. The size of the chocolate pieces is key. Make sure the chocolate is in small pieces so that the heat from the boiled cream can melt all of the chocolate.
• Place chopped chocolate in a large non-reactive bowl. In a medium saucepan, bring cream, salt, and vanilla bean to a boil. Once mixture has boiled and foamed up, immediately remove the pan from the heat and pour it over the chocolate. Let chocolate and cream mixture sit for 3 minutes. With a wooden spoon, begin stirring small circles in the middle of the bowl. As the smooth mixture begins to form in the middle, slowly expand the size of the circle until the cream and chocolate is fully incorporated. Remove vanilla bean and stir in butter. Cover mixture and let sit until firm.
• Fill a piping bag or zip top freezer bag with the truffle mixture and pipe into 1 tablespoon size dollops. Allow dollops to set up until they are firm. Roll dollops into round truffles. Truffles can be coated in powdered sugar, cocoa powder, ground nuts, coconut, etc.
• Optional: Add 1-ounce distilled liquor or liqueurs (i.e. brandy, Kirsch, etc.) to butter for additional flavor variations. Distilled liquors or liqueurs add flavor without adding extra sweetness.

SQUARE GINGER TRUFFLES, PLUS VARIATIONS

Steps:

• Line an 8-in. square baking pan with nonstick foil, letting foil extend above pan on two sides.
• Stir chocolate and cream in a small saucepan over low heat, or in a microwave on high, stirring at 10-second intervals, until chocolate melts and mixture is smooth. Remove from heat.
• Stir in ginger, cognac and vanilla until blended. Pour into prepared pan; spread evenly. Cover and refrigerate at least 2 hours until set.
• Lift foil from pan. Remove from foil to a cutting board. Cut with a sharp knife in 6 rows lengthwise and 6 crosswise. Sift cocoa or confectioners' sugar over tops, or dip in chocolate coating.
• Prepare through Step 2. In Step 3, omit ginger, cognac and vanilla; stir in 2 Tbsp orange liqueur and 1 Tbsp grated orange zest. Proceed as directed. Coat truffles with melted chocolate; sprinkle with chopped toasted hazelnuts.
• Stir 1 Tbsp instant coffee granules into the heavy cream. Prepare through Step 2. In Step 3, omit ginger, cognac and vanilla; stir in 2 Tbsp coffee liqueur. Proceed as directed. Sift cocoa powder over top.
• To tint confectioners' sugar: Place 1/3 cup in a small ziptop bag. Add 10 drops food color. Knead until sugar is colored.
• To cover with chocolate coating: Place a wire rack on a baking sheet lined with wax paper. Chop 2 bars (4 oz each) bittersweet chocolate. Melt in a small saucepan over low heat, or in a microwave on high, stirring at 10-second intervals, until smooth. Cool to just above room temperature. Rest a truffle on a fork; lower into chocolate to coat. Lift from chocolate; let excess drip off. Place on wire rack. Refrigerate until set.