Raw Chocolate Hedgehog Truffles With Cacao Nibs Recipes

RAW CHOCOLATE HEDGEHOG TRUFFLES WITH CACAO NIBS

Steps:

• Line baking sheet with parchment paper and set aside. Add cacao nibs to a plate and set aside.
• In food processor, pulse hazelnuts until a course flour forms. Add dates, cacao powder, coconut oil, and salt. Pulse until fully combined and sticky. Transfer to large bowl and chill for 1 hour.
• Roll chilled mixture into balls, then into cacao nibs, and place on prepared baking sheet. Chill until firm. Transfer to sealed container and store in refrigerator for up to 2 weeks.

CHOCOLATE PEANUT-BUTTER HEDGEHOG TRUFFLES

Steps:

• Place sugar in a large bowl; set aside. Combine butter, cream, peanut butter, and vanilla in a saucepan over medium heat. Cook, stirring, until butter and peanut butter are just melted. Pour over sugar in bowl and whisk until smooth. Transfer to an 8-inch-square baking dish and smooth surface. Place parchment or plastic wrap directly on surface of mixture and refrigerate until set, about 2 hours.
• Roll heaping teaspoonfuls of peanut-butter mixture into 1-inch balls. Melt chocolate, stirring until smooth, in a bowl set over a saucepan of simmering water; remove from heat. Working with 1 ball at a time, dip into chocolate and remove with a fork, letting excess chocolate drip off; transfer to parchment-lined baking sheets and immediately sprinkle top and sides with 1/4 to 1/2 teaspoon cocoa nibs. Refrigerate until set, about 30 minutes. Truffles can be made 1 week ahead and stored in a single layer, covered, in refrigerator.

CACAO BEAN BITTERSWEET CHOCOLATE TRUFFLES

Steps:

• 1. Place cream in a 2-quart wide saucepan add 1/4 cup cacao nibs. Cook over medium heat until it just comes to a simmer. Remove from heat and let sit for 10 minutes; strain out nibs and discard. Reheat to a simmer, remove from the heat, and immediately sprinkle 8 ounces finely chopped chocolate into cream. Cover and allow to sit for 5 minutes; the heat should melt the chocolate. Stir very gently until smooth.
• 2. Pour mixture into a shallow bowl. Cool to room temperature, cover with plastic wrap, then allow to sit, preferably overnight, until firm enough to roll. (Or you may refrigerate ganache until firm, about 4 hours.)
• 3. Place remaining nibs and chocolate in the bowl of a food processor fitted with a metal blade. Process by pulsing on and off until both are finely ground but not powdery; place in a small bowl. Coat your hands with cocoa powder and roll ganache into 3/4- to 1-inch balls.
• 4. Toss truffles in chocolate-nib coating. Place in fluted paper cups, if desired, and serve at room temperature.