Bittersweet Chocolate Cassis Truffles Recipes

BITTERSWEET CHOCOLATE TRUFFLES

Steps:

• Finely chop the chocolate block or use pistoles. The size of the chocolate pieces is key. Make sure the chocolate is in small pieces so that the heat from the boiled cream can melt all of the chocolate.
• Place chopped chocolate in a large non-reactive bowl. In a medium saucepan, bring cream, salt, and vanilla bean to a boil. Once mixture has boiled and foamed up, immediately remove the pan from the heat and pour it over the chocolate. Let chocolate and cream mixture sit for 3 minutes. With a wooden spoon, begin stirring small circles in the middle of the bowl. As the smooth mixture begins to form in the middle, slowly expand the size of the circle until the cream and chocolate is fully incorporated. Remove vanilla bean and stir in butter. Cover mixture and let sit until firm.
• Fill a piping bag or zip top freezer bag with the truffle mixture and pipe into 1 tablespoon size dollops. Allow dollops to set up until they are firm. Roll dollops into round truffles. Truffles can be coated in powdered sugar, cocoa powder, ground nuts, coconut, etc.
• Optional: Add 1-ounce distilled liquor or liqueurs (i.e. brandy, Kirsch, etc.) to butter for additional flavor variations. Distilled liquors or liqueurs add flavor without adding extra sweetness.

BITTERSWEET CHOCOLATE TRUFFLES

Steps:

• Finely chop the chocolate block or use pistoles. The size of the chocolate pieces is key. Make sure the chocolate is in small pieces so that the heat from the boiled cream can melt all of the chocolate.
• Place chopped chocolate in a large non-reactive bowl. In a medium saucepan, bring cream, salt, and vanilla bean to a boil. Once mixture has boiled and foamed up, immediately remove the pan from the heat and pour it over the chocolate. Let chocolate and cream mixture sit for 3 minutes. With a wooden spoon, begin stirring small circles in the middle of the bowl. As the smooth mixture begins to form in the middle, slowly expand the size of the circle until the cream and chocolate is fully incorporated. Remove vanilla bean and stir in butter. Cover mixture and let sit until firm.
• Fill a piping bag or zip top freezer bag with the truffle mixture and pipe into 1 tablespoon size dollops. Allow dollops to set up until they are firm. Roll dollops into round truffles. Truffles can be coated in powdered sugar, cocoa powder, ground nuts, coconut, etc.
• Optional: Add 1-ounce distilled liquor or liqueurs (i.e. brandy, Kirsch, etc.) to butter for additional flavor variations. Distilled liquors or liqueurs add flavor without adding extra sweetness.

BITTERSWEET CHOCOLATE-CASSIS TRUFFLES

Steps:

• Place the chocolate in a medium-size heatproof bowl.
• Bring the cream just to a boil in a small saucepan. As soon as it begins to boil, pour it through a FINE strainer and into the bowl with the chocolate.
• Whisk the cream and chocolate together until the chocolate is completely melted. Whisk in the Crème de Cassis.
• Cover and refrigerate until stiff and cold, at least 3 hours and up to 1 day.
• Scoop up some of the chilled chocolate mixture with a very small scoop, or a teaspoon and roll between your palms to make 3/4-inch balls (they don't have to be perfectly round). Work quickly so the chocolate doesn't melt in your hands. (I just used the small scoop and did not roll in my hands) Transfer the balls to a waxed paper-lined baking sheet, setting them 1/2-inch apart.
• Wipe your hands periodically with paper towels to remove any chocolate left behind from rolling.
• If the truffle mixture becomes too soft to roll, return it to the refrigerator briefly to firm up before continuing.
• Lightly cover the balls with plastic wrap and return to the refrigerator until cool and firm. Place the *cocoa powder in a pie plate or other flat-bottomed dish with sides, and roll the truffles in the cocoa powder a few at a time, until coated.
• Store the truffles in a waxed paper-lined tin in the refrigerator until ready to serve.
• *Another idea would be to roll the truffles in a finely powdered nut mixture.
• If you'd like to make your own Creme de Cassis, try Recipe #183432.

BITTERSWEET TRUFFLES

Steps:

• Place chocolate in a medium bowl. Bring cream to a boil in a small saucepan over medium-high heat; pour over chocolate. Let sit 2 to 3 minutes, then whisk until smooth. Refrigerate (uncovered) until somewhat firm, about 1 hour.
• Spoon mounds (2 level teaspoons each) of chocolate mixture onto a large baking sheet lined with parchment or wax paper. Return to refrigerator 15 minutes.
• With your hands, roll mounds into balls. Place desired coatings in shallow bowls; roll balls in coatings, pressing in and covering completely. Return to baking sheet; chill until set, about 30 minutes.

BITTERSWEET CHOCOLATE AND HAZELNUT TRUFFLES

Steps:

• Place chocolate in medium metal bowl. Bring cream to simmer in small saucepan. Pour over chocolate; let stand 2 minutes. Whisk until smooth. Mix in brandy and vanilla. Cool completely, stirring occasionally, about 30 minutes.
• Using electric mixer, beat chocolate mixture until fluffy and lighter in color, about 4 minutes. Mix in 6 tablespoons ground hazelnuts. Cover and refrigerate truffle mixture until firm, about 2 hours.
• Line baking sheet with waxed paper. Place 1 1/2 cups chopped nuts in another medium bowl. Fill glass with hot water. Dip 1-inch-diameter melon baller into water, then into truffle mixture, forming round truffle. Drop truffle into nuts; roll to coat completely and press to adhere. Place on prepared sheet. Repeat with remaining truffle mixture and nuts. Cover and chill until firm, about 1 hour. (Can be made 2 days ahead; keep chilled.)