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Home » Recipes » Candy Recipes

Dark Chocolate Truffles Recipe

Published: Feb 2, 2022 Last Updated: Feb 6, 2022 by Marye 1616 words. | About 9 minutes to read this article.

Creamy and elegant these easy dark chocolate truffles make perfect gifts. Add them on a saucer next to your after dinner coffee or just savor one to stave off the blues. They are a burst of dark chocolate flavor.
Total time 2 hours 7 minutes
Jump to Recipe
Chocolate truffle with a bite removed showing the creamy interior. Text title overlay for Pinterest.

If you're looking for the perfect gift for the chocolate lover in your life you've found it!

Chocolate truffles on a white tray with title text overlay.
Jump to:
  • ❤️ Why you'll love it
  • 🧾 Ingredients
  • 🎥 Video
  • 🥫 Storage
  • 📖 Variations
  • 💭 Tips
  • 🤷 Troubleshooting
  • 👩‍🍳 FAQs
  • 📚 Related recipes
  • 🍽️ Serve with...
  • 📞 The last word
  • 📖 Recipe
  • Truffles Are an Easy Homemade Gift
  • 💬 Comments

❤️ Why you'll love it

  • Making your own artisan truffles is easy
  • Homemade chocolate truffles cost less and taste better
  • Best of all? Quick, easy, and no bake!

Dark chocolate truffles are creamy, elegant, and so easy to make!

Butter is the secret to this ultra-rich, homemade candy recipe. You can create countless variations by using different types of chocolate and flavorings.

They're the perfect gift -- if you don't eat them all first!

🧾 Ingredients

This is an overview of the ingredients. You'll find the full measurements and instructions in the green recipe card (printable) at the bottom of the page.

Labeled ingredients for chocolate truffles.
  • Heavy cream is a major part of ensuring the melty mouthfeel of the truffles. Get the highest fat percentage that you can find.
  • Bittersweet chocolate adds the flavor and the density.
  • Butter adds even more creaminess.
  • Vegetable shortening is used in the coating to help it stay shiny and enrobe the truffle properly.
  • White chocolate can be tricky to work with. Be sure to melt it at the lowest temperature possible.

🎥 Video

Click on the image to watch me make this recipe from start to finish with extra tips! (Video opens in a new tab).

Overhead view of a tray of chocolate truffles. Clickable YouTube video cover image.
See how to make these luscious chocolate truffles on my YouTube video.

🥫 Storage

Wondering how to store truffles or if you're going to need to plan on eating every single one of these creamy bites of perfection?

Good news! Truffles can be stored easily in the freezer or refrigerator.

Add chocolate truffles to an airtight plastic container with waxed paper or parchment paper between the layers. You can refrigerate them for at least two weeks or freeze them for several months.

Make sure the refrigerator is odor free, though. Truffles pick up weird flavors really fast.

📖 Variations

There are plenty of possibilities with different flavorings and coatings. here are some of my favorites.

  • Use milk chocolate in place of bittersweet.
  • Add a tablespoon of Liqueur to the melted chocolate and cream mixture (ganache).
  • Add a ½ teaspoon of flavoring.
  • Roll finely chopped candy canes in with the ganache.
  • Roll finely chopped Heath Bars in with the ganache.
  • Roll the truffles in ground pecans or macadamia nuts.
  • Roll the truffles in finely chopped candy canes or hard candies.

💭 Tips

Expert Tip: The main thing to remember is that you need really high quality chocolate. There are just a few ingredients so you have to make them count!

  • Get the best chocolate you can. Some brands to look for are Valhrona, Scharffen Berger, or Callebaut. They are more expensive than Nestle or Hershey but the difference in flavor is massive.
  • Try to use a chocolate with at least 60% cocoa solids.
  • BUT don't let the lack of high end chocolate stop you. If you can't afford the premium brands go for what you can afford and have access to. Let's face it, it's chocolate. How bad can it be?
  • Make sure everything is very dry. Even a drop or two of water will cause the chocolate to seize up and be grainy. If that happens you'll just need to throw it out and start over.
  • When you're stirring the chocolate into the cream be careful not to stir air into the mixture. Too much air will make it fluffy instead of the rich, creamy texture you're looking for.
A truffle with a bite taken out of it showing the creamy interior.

🤷 Troubleshooting

  • The ganache is grainy - It's likely that the chocolate didn't melt all the way and small, hard pieces are causing the problem. Make sure the cream is hot enough next time. What you can do - put the whole mixture over a bowl of very hot water or double boiler and stir until smooth.
  • The chocolate won't melt - This can happen with less expensive chocolate or if the chunks of chocolate are too big. Chop it into small pieces Before adding to the hot cream.
  • The chocolate is clumping up and is grainy - This usually only happens if you're trying to melt the chocolate by itself and once it does you have to throw it out and start over. It's from either too high of a heat or water getting into the chocolate as it's melting.
  • The chocolate looks weird and it looks like it's separating - The cream was too hot. It's a loss - you'll need to start over.
  • The toppings aren't sticking - Roll the truffles between your hands to warm them up a little and try again.

👩‍🍳 FAQs

What is a chocolate truffle?

A chocolate truffle is a homemade candy that is soft and rich. Usually the center is made of ganache (a combination of melted chocolate and cream) and then rolled in cocoa or dipped in more chocolate.

How long do homemade truffles last?

2 or 3 days at room temperature unless it's July in Texas. You can also refrigerate them or freeze them. Check the storage tips above.

How do you keep truffles from melting?

Truffles melt easily and can really get messy when you're working with them. Wearing gloves can help. I plunge my hands into ice water, dry them, then work as long as they're cold before repeating the process!

📚 Related recipes

  • Old Fashioned Fudge Recipe
  • Lemon White Chocolate Truffles with Lavender
  • Peanut Butter Pretzel Truffles
  • Quick and Easy Salted Caramels in a Microwave

🍽️ Serve with...

I like to end a meal with a homemade truffle and a cup of strong coffee!

If you are looking for ideas for a special dinner consider making this easy roasted quail, broccoli salad, and ending with coffee and truffles.

📞 The last word

Here's that homemade truffles recipe. It's classically rich and creamy. If you are making a collection of truffles as a gift try these peanut butter pretzel truffles as well - perfect for those who love sweet and salty!

Try this cute Valentine snack mix for the kids.

If you click on the number of servings in the recipe card you can adjust the measurements up or down for the exact number of servings you need. Don't forget that you can click on "add to collection" to save it to your own, private recipe box!

If you love this recipe please give it 5 stars! ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️

📖 Recipe

Closeup of decorated truffles.
4.8 from 5 votes

Dark Chocolate Truffles Recipe

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Creamy and elegant these easy dark chocolate truffles make perfect gifts. Add them on a saucer next to your after dinner coffee or just savor one to stave off the blues. They are a burst of dark chocolate flavor.
Course Candy
Cuisine French
Prep Time: 5 minutes
Cook Time: 2 minutes
Chill: 2 hours
Total Time: 2 hours 7 minutes
Servings:24 truffles
Calories:191
Author:Marye Audet-White
As an Amazon Associate I earn from qualifying purchases.

Equipment Needed

  • insta-read thermometer
  • rubber spatula

Ingredients

Chocolate Ganache

  • ½ cup heavy cream
  • 8 ounces bittersweet chocolate, chopped
  • 3 tablespoons butter at room temperature

Chocolate Coating

  • 2 cups bittersweet chocolate, cut into small pieces
  • 1 tablespoon vegetable shortening

White Chocolate Drizzle

  • ½ cup white chocolate, chopped
  • 1½ teaspoons vegetable shortening

Instructions

Chocolate Ganache

  • Cut the butter into squares and set aside.
  • Bring the cream just under a boil – bubbles will form around the sides of the pan. (about 185F on an instaread thermometer)
  • Remove the pan from the heat and add the chopped chocolate.
  • Let stand 2 minutes.
  • Carefully stir the mixture until smooth.
  • Add the butter.
  • Stir until smooth and well mixed.
  • Refrigerate until cold and firm, about 1 hour.
  • Form the mixture into tablespoon sized balls.
  • Place the balls in the freezer for about 10 minutes.
  • Dip in the melted coating and drizzle with the white chocolate.
  • Store in the refrigerator in a tightly covered container.

Chocolate Coating

  • Add the chocolate and the vegetable shortening to a microwave safe bowl.
  • Melt on 50% power for 2 minutes, stirring every 30 seconds. (you may not need the whole 2 minutes.

White Chocolate Coating

  • Melt the white chocolate and shortening as above.
  • Stir until blended.

Notes

This is one of the easiest candies to make but there are things that can go wrong. Here are the most common problems and how to fix them.
  • The ganache is grainy - It's likely that the chocolate didn't melt all the way and small, hard pieces are causing the problem. Make sure the cream is hot enough next time. What you can do - put the whole mixture over a bowl of very hot water or double boiler and stir until smooth.
  • The chocolate won't melt - This can happen with less expensive chocolate or if the chunks of chocolate are too big. Chop it into small pieces Before adding to the hot cream.
  • The chocolate is clumping up and is grainy - This usually only happens if you're trying to melt the chocolate by itself and once it does you have to throw it out and start over. It's from either too high of a heat or water getting into the chocolate as it's melting.
  • The chocolate looks weird and it looks like it's separating - The cream was too hot. It's a loss - you'll need to start over.
  • The toppings aren't sticking - Roll the truffles between your hands to warm them up a little and try again.

Nutrition Facts

Calories: 191kcal | Carbohydrates: 14g | Protein: 2g | Fat: 14g | Saturated Fat: 8g | Polyunsaturated Fat: 1g | Monounsaturated Fat: 4g | Trans Fat: 1g | Cholesterol: 13mg | Sodium: 19mg | Potassium: 148mg | Fiber: 2g | Sugar: 10g | Vitamin A: 129IU | Vitamin C: 1mg | Calcium: 24mg | Iron: 2mg

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    Truffles Are an Easy Homemade Gift

    I first learned to make truffles early in my first marriage. We didn't have much money and I had to come up with homemade gifts that family members and friends would actually like.

    My Dad's appetite for all things chocolate was legendary.

    My two oldest kids used to make him a chocolate basket for Christmas every year. It was huge and filled with all kinds of homemade chocolate from brownies to truffles.

    My  dad loved it and looked forward to it every year.

    The Christmas after he passed away the kids made a chocolate basket in memory of him and we devoured it.

    There was some laughter and some tears as you can imagine. Still, what better than chocolate to celebrate someone's life and ease the pain of missing them?

    And by the way... yes, these dark chocolate truffles are literally easy enough for kids to make by themselves with a little supervision.

    First published September 2016. Last updated February 1, 2022 for readability and better images.

    « Irish Cream Hot Chocolate Bombs
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    About Marye

    With a 40 year focus on the importance of family and a passion for southern comfort food, Marye Audet-White is an expert in melding the two together effortlessly. Marye's a NY Times Bestselling author with 10 cookbooks under her belt and her recipes have been featured in Good Housekeeping, Country Living, Today, House Beautiful, Texas Living, Food & Wine, and many more.

    Reader Interactions

    Comments

    1. Shelly

      March 20, 2022 at 6:45 pm

      5 stars
      Perfection.

      Reply
    2. Jenna

      September 08, 2016 at 4:52 pm

      Yes!!! I hope you had other yummy delicious treats in Paris though. These truffles look hard to beat and I adore making candy for the holidays 🙂

      Reply
      • Marye Audet

        September 09, 2016 at 6:12 pm

        Oh I did, Jenna! Thanks!

    3. allie

      September 08, 2016 at 2:29 pm

      Oh my goodness Marye - these truffles look sinfully delicious! Thanks for all the great tips and which kinds of chocolate to buy. Great tutorial!

      Reply
      • Marye Audet

        September 09, 2016 at 6:12 pm

        They are my favorite basic truffle!

    4. Jocelyn @BruCrew Life

      September 07, 2016 at 10:36 am

      I'm pretty sure I would eat way to many of these yummy truffles if they were in front of me right now! Yum!

      Reply
      • Marye Audet

        September 08, 2016 at 1:33 pm

        🙂

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