Sensuous Chocolate Truffles Food

SPICY CHOCOLATE TRUFFLES

Steps:

• In a medium saucepot, heat the cream, cinnamon, chili powder and cayenne pepper over medium-low heat until it comes to a simmer. Add the chocolate and stir until the chocolate is completely melted. Transfer to a bowl and chill in the refrigerator until it firms up, 1 1/2 to 2 hours.
• In the meantime, place the toasted coconut, cookie crumbs, cocoa powder and chopped pistachio nuts onto separate small plates.
• Remove the chocolate from the refrigerator and let sit for 30 minutes to soften.
• Using a small ice cream scoop or tablespoon, scoop out the chocolate into the toppings and roll them around to completely coat. Place on a plate and serve. Truffles can be stored in the refrigerator for 2 days in an airtight container.

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.

SNOWBALL TRUFFLES

Steps:

• In a bowl, add and heat the cream, butter, extract and 8 ounces of the white chocolate in microwave at medium power at 30-second intervals. Make sure to stir in-between intervals to avoid scorching. Continue on 30-second intervals, stirring in-between until chocolate is smooth and melted. Fold in the sifted powdered sugar. Cover bowl and pop it into the refrigerator for about 1 1/2 hours.
• Place a cooling rack over 1 baking sheet. Cut a piece of parchment paper to fit the inside of another baking sheet. Melt the remaining chocolate in the microwave. Take out the cooled and semi-hardened truffle mixture. Using a tablespoon, scoop out enough to make a ball, about 1- ounce in size. Lay the ball onto the rack. Continue the process until all of the truffle mixture is gone. You should have about 16 truffles.
• Using a pastry brush, "paint" on the melted chocolate and place on the parchment covered cookie sheet. Designate a hand to use only for the sprinkling of coconut. Before moving onto painting the next truffle, use your "sprinkle hand" to decorate the truffle. Continue alternating between painting and sprinkling until you are done. Refrigerate for 1 hour.

CHOCOLATE TRUFFLES

Steps:

• Heat cream in a pot until it steams. Put chocolate in a bowl, pour hot cream on top, and stir until chocolate is melted and incorporated into cream.
• Chill until solid all the way through, 1 to 2 hours. Using a chilled melon baller or latex gloves to prevent the ganache from melting or sticking to your hands, scoop out about a tablespoonful and quickly roll it into a ball. Repeat, lining truffles on a plate or a baking sheet.
• If truffles become too soft to handle, place them in refrigerator or freezer for a few minutes. Roll them in cocoa powder, confectioners' sugar or a mixture of sugar and ground cinnamon. Serve immediately or store, wrapped in plastic, in refrigerator for up to four days.

EASY CHOCOLATE TRUFFLES

Steps:

• 1. Line an 8-inch square baking pan with parchment, with overhang on two sides. In a saucepan, bring heavy cream and salt to a simmer.
• Place chocolate in a heatproof bowl and pour hot cream mixture over top; let stand 5 minutes then stir until smooth. Pour mixture into baking pan and refrigerate until set, at least 2 hours.
• When mixture is firm, cut into 1-inch squares and toss in cocoa powder. (See variation section below for instructions on rolling the truffles into balls). To store, box up truffles and refrigerate them at least 15 minutes and up to 2 weeks.