Chambord Truffle Recipes

EASY DECADENT TRUFFLES

Steps:

• In a large bowl, beat cream cheese until smooth. Gradually beat in confectioners' sugar until well blended. Stir in melted chocolate and vanilla until no streaks remain. Refrigerate for about 1 hour. Shape into 1 inch balls.

ROBERT LINXE'S CHOCOLATE TRUFFLES

Steps:

• Finely chop 8 ounces of the chocolate and put in a bowl.
• Bring heavy cream to a boil in a small heavy saucepan. Make sure your pan is small, so you'll lose the least amount of cream to evaporation, and heavy, which will keep the cream from scorching. Linxe boils his cream three times - he believes that makes the ganache last longer. If you do this, compensate for the extra evaporation by starting with a little more cream.
• Pour the cream over the chocolate, mashing any big pieces with a wooden spoon.
• Then stir with a whisk in concentric circles (don't beat or you'll incorporate air), starting in the center and working your way to the edge, until the ganache is smooth.
• Let stand at room temperature until thick enough to hold a shape, about 1 hour, then, using a pastry bag with a 3/8-inch opening or tip, pipe into mounds (about 3/4 inch high and 1 inch wide) on parchment-lined baking sheets. When piping, finish off each mound with a flick of the wrist to soften and angle the point tip. Freeze until firm, about 15 minutes.
• Meanwhile, melt 3 more ounces of the same Valrhona and smear some on a gloved hand. Gently rub each chilled truffle to coat lightly with chocolate. The secret to a delicate coating of chocolate is to roll each truffle in a smear of melted chocolate in your hand. Linxe always uses gloves.
• Toss the truffles in unsweetened Valrhona cocoa powder so they look like their namesakes, freshly dug from the earth. A fork is the best tool for tossing truffles in cacao. Shake truffles in a sieve to eliminate excess cacao. Store truffles in the refrigerator.

HOLIDAY CHAMBORD TRIFLE

Steps:

• Separate ladyfingers in half and dry in warm oven slightly toasty. (At about 300ºF for about 10 minutes or so.).
• Spread with jam and put back together. Cut into thirds.
• Place thawed berries in a sieve over a bowl and reserve liquid. Take the reserved raspberry juice and add to it enough Chambord to make 1 cup.
• Place 1/3 of ladyfingers in a glass trifle bowl or any other large bowl. Pour 1/3 of the liquid over and add 1/3 of the grapes and raspberries.
• Continue with remaining layers.
• Mix in a saucepan the sugar, cornstarch and egg yolk. Whisk in the milk and cook over medium heat, stirring constantly until a wooden spoon comes out coated or of a custard consistency.
• Remove from heat and add vanilla. Cool completely. When cooled pour over the cake mixture.
• Cover with whipped cream and top with toasted almond slivers.

CHOCOLATE RASPBERRY CHAMBORD TRUFFLES FOR YOUR VALENTINE!

Steps:

• In a 2 quart saucepan over medium heat, bring the cream, butter, and raspberry jam to a simmer, stirring occasionally until butter and jam are melted.
• Remove from heat; stir in the chocolate until melted and smooth.
• Stir in the liqueur, mixing well.
• Transfer to a bowl and chill covered, for 4 hours or until firm.
• Working quickly roll chocolate mixture into 1 1/2 inch balls, placing them on a parchment paper lined cookie tray as you go.
• Cover and refrigerate for 1 hour, or until firm.
• Roll chocolate balls in cocoa powder, place in mini paper cups.
• Store in an airtight container, with parchment between the layers.
• Keep chilled until ready to serve, for up to 2 weeks.

CHAMBORD TRUFFLE

Steps:

• Pour all ingredients into a shaker over ice.
• Chill.
• Strain into shot glass.

HAZELNUT TRUFFLES

Steps:

• Preheat the oven to 325 degrees F.
• Chop the hazelnuts and place them on a sheet pan. Roast them in the oven for 10 minutes. (If the hazelnuts have skin on them, roast them for 25 minutes.) Set aside to cool.
• Chop the chocolates finely and place in a bowl.
• Heat the cream in a small saucepan until it boils. Immediately pour the hot cream through a fine-meshed sieve into the bowl with the chocolates. With a wire whisk, slowly stir the cream and chocolates together until the chocolate is completely melted. (If the chocolate doesn't melt completely, place the bowl over a pan of simmering water and stir for a few minutes just until it melts.) Whisk in the hazelnut liqueur, coffee, and vanilla. Cover and chill for 45 minutes to 1 hour until pliable but firm enough to scoop.
• With 2 teaspoons or a 1 1/4-inch ice cream scoop, make dollops of the chocolate mixture and place on a baking sheet lined with parchment paper. Refrigerate for about 15 minutes, until firm enough to roll into rough spheres. Roll the chocolate in the chopped hazelnuts and chill again. Truffles are best when they're allowed to set overnight in the refrigerator.

TRUFFLES

Steps:

• Follow the method for Master Ganache, adding the butter to the chocolate and the corn syrup to the cream before bringing the cream to a boil.
• Pour the hot cream and corn syrup over the chopped chocolate and butter. Tap the bowl on the counter to settle the chocolate into the cream, then let sit for 1 minute. Using a rubber spatula, stir slowly in a circular motion, starting from the center of the bowl and working out to the sides. Be careful not to add too much air to the ganache. Stir until the chocolate is completely melted, about 2 minutes.
• Add the liqueur and stir to combine. Allow the ganache to cool at room temperature until it is firm. This should take at least 4 hours in a 65 degree F room or 2 hours in the refrigerator.
• Once the ganache is firm, it can be formed into truffle balls. Using a piping bag, a mini ice cream scoop, or a tablespoon, make 1 inch diameter blobs. Then roll the blobs into somewhat uniform balls by hand. This is messy, no doubt about it. If they begin to warm up and become soft, refrigerate for 10 to 15 minutes. If you have hot hands or it is a hot day, it may feel as though you can't get a grip on the truffle. Work near a sink with cold running water. When the ganache feels like it's melting, cool your hands under the running water then dry them and dust with a little cocoa powder. Be careful not to get too much cocoa powder on the truffles, or they will taste like cocoa powder.
• After the truffles are rolled, they can be finished in a variety of ways. The original cocoa powder is the easiest, and quite good.
• Line a baking sheet with parchment paper.
• Using a serrated knife, finely chop the chocolate into 1/4-inch pieces and place in a medium heatproof bowl. Fill a medium saucepan half full of water, bring it to a simmer, and then turn off the heat. Create a double boiler by placing the bowl on top of the saucepan. Stir the chocolate occasionally with a rubber spatula until it melts, about 2 minutes.
• When the chocolate has melted, take it off the heat. Stir it slowly with a rubber spatula until the temperature drops to 90 degrees F, about 5 minutes. Place the remaining cocoa powder in a small bowl.
• Drop 1 rolled ganache ball in the melted chocolate. Remove it with a fork, tap off the excess chocolate, and toss it into the cocoa powder. Roll the truffle around in the cocoa until it is well coated. Transfer the truffle to the prepared baking sheet and let it harden. Repeat with each truffle, coating 1 at a time.
• Can deep, dark, intense, rich, velvety smooth chocolate be a spiritual experience? It certainly is heavenly when mixed with cream. Praise the pastry angels and pass the bonbons!
• This is the basic ganache recipe. Use it for truffles, tarts, fillings, you name it. Follow the same technique when adjusting the recipe for firm and soft ganache. An alternative food processor method is given, which can be applied to any ganache recipe in this chapter.
• My desire is not only to introduce you to ganache but also to make it a staple in your refrigerator. As long as you don't eat it all as a midnight snack, it can be available to help you throw together dessert at a moment's notice.
• 8 ounces bittersweet chocolate
• 1 cup heavy cream
• Using a serrated knife, finely chop the chocolate into 1/4-inch pieces. Don't be lazy here. Big chunks will not melt.
• Traditional method: Place the chocolate in a medium heatproof bowl. Bring the cream to a boil in a small saucepan over medium heat. Boiling means the cream will actually rise up in the pan and threaten to boil over.
• Immediately pour the boiling cream over the chopped chocolate. Tap the bowl on the counter to settle the chocolate into the cream, then let it sit for 1 minute. Using a rubber spatula, slowly stir in a circular motion, starting from the center of the bowl, and working out to the sides. Be careful not to add too much air to the ganache. Stir until all the chocolate is melted, about 2 minutes. It may look done after 1 minute of stirring, but keep going to be sure it's emulsified.
• Food processor method: Place the chopped chocolate in a food processor fitted with the steel blade. Bring the cream to a boil in a small saucepan over medium heat (or bring to a boil in the microwave.)
• Immediately pour the hot cream into the food processor, on top of the chocolate. Let sit for 1 minute, then pulse the machine 3 times. Scrape down the sides with a rubber spatula and pulse 3 more times, until all the chocolate is melted. This smooth, silky chocolate is now ganache. Transfer the ganache to a bowl.
• Let the ganache sit at room temperature until it cools to 70 degrees F. In a 65 degree F room, this will take approximately 4 hours or 2 hours in the refrigerator. You can speed up the process by pouring the ganache out onto a clean baking sheet (thinner layers cool faster.) Once the ganache reaches 70 degrees F, it is ready to be used. At this point it can be covered and stored in the refrigerator for up to 2 weeks.
• Yield: 2 cups

MOLTEN LAVA CAKES WITH CHAMBORD TRUFFLE CENTER

Steps:

• Preheat oven to 200 degC.
• Generously grease 8 (6 ounce) baking cups & place on a baking sheet.
• With a metal bowl over simmering water, melt butter & chocolate, stirring frequently to blend.
• Cool to room temp & add Chambord.
• In a large bowl, beat the yolks, eggs & sugar together until the mixture thickens & becomes lemon coloured.
• Fold in the chocolate Chambord mixture until well blended.
• Sift the flour over the mixture & quickly fold or beat inches.
• Divide the batter evenly among the prepared cups & bake for about 12 mins (time will vary depending on what your baking cups are made of)until cakes are firm around the edges but soft in the middle.
• Let sit for 1 minute Run small knife around the cake to loosen & carefully turn onto plate.
• If you like, cook 1/2 cup of Chambord down to 1/4 cup & soak raspberries in to serve poured over the cake along with a dusting of confectioners sugar.

CHAMBORD CREAM

Steps:

• Whisk together cream cheese, 3 tablespoons Chambord and raspberry jam until very smooth. In another bowl, beat cream until soft peaks form. Gently fold whipped cream into cream cheese mixture until combined. Spoon into small glasses; refrigerate. Just before serving, drizzle remaining Chambord over cream mixture. Serve with fresh fruit.

CHAMBORD TRUFFLE COCKTAIL

Steps:

• Mix together and pour into a shot glass.