A Symphony Of French Chocolate Truffles Recipes

CHOCOLATE TRUFFLES

Steps:

• Place the 10 ounces of chocolate and butter in a medium size glass mixing bowl. Microwave for 30 seconds. Remove and stir, and repeat this process 1 more time. Set aside.
• Heat the heavy cream and corn syrup in a small saucepan over medium heat until simmering. Remove from the heat and pour the mixture over the melted chocolate mixture; let stand for 2 minutes. Using a rubber spatula, stir gently, starting in the middle of bowl and working in concentric circles until all chocolate is melted and mixture is smooth and creamy. Gently stir in the brandy. Pour the mixture into an 8 by 8-inch glass baking dish and place in the refrigerator for 1 hour.
• Using a melon baller, scoop chocolate onto a sheet pan lined with parchment paper and return to the refrigerator for 30 minutes.
• Place the cocoa powder, nuts, and/or toasted coconut each in its own pie pan and set aside.
• In the meantime, place the 8 ounces of chocolate into a medium mixing bowl which is sitting on top of a heating pad lined bowl, with the heating pad set to medium. Depending on the heating pad, you may need to adjust the heat up or down. Stirring the chocolate occasionally, test the temperature of the chocolate and continue heating until it reaches 90 to 92 degrees F; do not allow the chocolate to go above 94 degrees F. If you do, the coating will not have a nice snap to it when you bite into the chocolate. Once you have reached the optimal temperature, adjust the heat to maintain it.
• Remove the truffles from the refrigerator and shape into balls by rolling between the palms of your hands. Use powder-free vinyl or latex gloves, if desired.
• Dip an ice cream scoop into the chocolate and turn upside down to remove excess chocolate. Place truffles 1 at time into the scoop and roll around until coated. Then place the truffle into the dish with either the cocoa powder, nuts or coconut. Move the truffle around to coat; leave truffle in the coating for 10 to 15 seconds before removing. In the meantime, continue placing the chocolate-coated truffles in the cocoa or other secondary coating. After 10 to 15 seconds, remove the truffle to a parchment lined sheet pan. Repeat until all truffles are coated. Allow to set in a cool dry place for at least 1 hour; or store in an airtight container in the refrigerator. Truffles are best when served at room temperature.

FRENCH KISS TRUFFLES

Steps:

• Place white chocolate in a small bowl. In a small saucepan, bring 1/3 cup cream just to a boil. Pour over white chocolate; whisk until smooth. Stir in orange zest and extract., Place milk chocolate in another small bowl. In same saucepan, bring remaining cream just to a boil. Pour over milk chocolate; whisk until smooth. Cool both mixtures to room temperature, stirring occasionally. Refrigerate until firm., To form centers, take 1-1/2 teaspoons of each chocolate mixture and shape into a two-tone ball, about 1 in. round. Place on waxed paper-lined baking sheets; cover and refrigerate at least 1 hour., In a double boiler or metal bowl over simmering water, whisk semisweet chocolate until smooth. Dip truffles in chocolate; allow excess to drip off. Return to baking sheets; drizzle with additional chocolate as desired. Refrigerate until set. Store in an airtight container in the refrigerator.

A SYMPHONY OF FRENCH CHOCOLATE TRUFFLES

Steps:

• For the basic truffle mixture, break the chocolate into squares and place it in the bowl of a food processor. Switch on and grind the chocolate until it looks granular, like sugar.
• Now place the cream, butter and rum or brandy in a small saucepan and bring these to simmering point. Then, with the motor switched on, pour the mixture through the feeder tube of the processor and continue to blend until you have a smooth, blended mixture.
• Next transfer the mixture, which will be very liquid at this stage, into a bowl, allow it to get quite cold, then cover it with clingfilm and refrigerate overnight. Don't worry: it will thicken up after several hours.
• Next day divide the mixture equally among four small bowls, and keep each one in the fridge until you need it. Then proceed with the following to make four different varieties. Make sure you have all the little paper cases opened out ready before your hands get all chocolatey!
• Plain Truffles:.
• For these, you simply sift 1 level dessertspoon of cocoa powder on to a flat plate, then take heaped half teaspoons of the first batch of truffle mixture and either dust each one straight away all over, which gives the truffle a rough, rock-like appearance, or dust your hands in cocoa and roll each piece into a ball and then roll it in the cocoa powder if you like a smoother look. Place it immediately into a paper case. Obviously, the less handling the better as the warmth of your hands melts the chocolate.
• Ginger truffles:.
• Mix the finely chopped ginger into the second batch of truffle mixture using a fork, then proceed as above, taking small pieces, rolling or not (as you wish), and dusting with cocoa powder before transferring each one to a paper case.
• Toasted almond truffles:.
• Sprinkle the very finely chopped toasted almond flakes on a flat plate, take half a teaspoonful of the third batch of truffle mixture and roll it round in the nuts, pressing them to form an outer coating.
• Chocolate-coated truffles:.
• For these you need to set the chocolate and oil in a bowl over some hot but not boiling water and allow it to melt until it becomes liquid, and then remove the pan from the heat.
• Spread some silicone paper on a flat surface and, dusting your hands with cocoa, roll each truffle into a little ball.
• Using two flat skewers, one to spike the truffle and one to manoeuvre it, dip each truffle in the chocolate so that it gets a thin coating and then quickly transfer it to the paper. If the chocolate begins to thicken, replace the pan on the heat so that it will liquefy again.
• Leave the coated truffles to set completely then, using a palette knife; quickly transfer them into their waiting paper cases.
• Cocoa Dusted Truffles:.
• Simple and quick, I use 60% French Cocoa powder for an extra chocolate rush! Simply take each truffle and drop into a bowl of cocoa powder, and gently turn the truffles around to coat them.
• Now arrange all the truffles in a box or boxes and cover. Keep them refrigerated and eat within three days. Alternatively, truffles are ideal for freezing.

TRUFFES DE CHOCOLAT (FRENCH CHOCOLATE TRUFFLES)

Steps:

• Place chocolate in double boiler over low heat, stirring constantly until just melted.
• Add nuts, milk, vanilla and salt. Blend well.
• Remove from heat and cool 5 minutes.
• Roll small amounts of chocolate, about the size of a walnut, into balls.
• Coat with chocolate sprinkles, shredded coconut, finely chopped walnuts.
• Transfer to a cookie sheet and refrigerate until set.