Bon Bon Filling Recipes

CHOCOLATE CREAM BONBONS

Steps:

• In a large bowl, combine confectioners' sugar, pecans, milk and butter. Roll into 1-in. balls. Place on waxed paper-lined baking sheets. Cover and refrigerate overnight., In a microwave, melt chocolate chips and shortening; stir until smooth. Dip balls in chocolate; allow excess to drip off. Place on waxed paper; let stand until set. (If balls are too soft to dip, freezer until firm, 3-5 minutes.)

CHEWY SALTED CARAMEL AND HAZELNUT GANACHE BON BONS

Steps:

• In a 1-quart saucepan, mix together 1/4 cup water and the sugar. Place over medium heat and be sure to clean the sides of the pan with a pastry brush dipped in water, to avoid causing sugar crystals, which will affect the final caramel.
• Heat up the cream either in a small saucepan or in the microwave in a microwave-safe container. Once the caramel turns a light amber color, slowly pour in the hot cream. Add the butter and salt, and stir until the butter melts. Once everything is incorporated, cook until a candy thermometer reads 120 degrees F. Pour the caramel over the white chocolate. The heat of the caramel will melt the chocolate. Pipe the caramel when it's hot into silicon molds. Then refrigerate and freeze before you place these on the Hazelnut Chocolate Ganache.
• Pop the frozen caramel right on top of the Hazelnut Chocolate Ganache coins while they're still warm. Sprinkle with the crisp pearls. You are now ready to dip into chocolate.
• To finish the bon bons, melt and temper the chocolate. Dip the caramels in the chocolate and let sit until chocolate sets.
• In a small 1-quart saucepan, bring the cream to a boil. Meanwhile partially melt the chocolate and when the cream comes to a boil, pour this over the chocolate. Before you start to mix, add the praline and the corn syrup. Gently mix until the mixture is homogenous. Let mixture cool until it thickens; it will be easy to pipe out of a disposable pastry bag. Pipe into discs, the size of a quarter.

BUTTERCREAM BONBONS

Steps:

• Combine butter and cream cheese in a large bowl. Beat at medium speed until smooth.
• Add vanilla; continue beating until well mixed.
• Reduce speed to low. While beating at low speed, gradually add powdered sugar until well mixed. (If mixture is too soft, cover and refrigerate 1 hour or until firm enough to form balls.).
• Shape rounded teaspoonfuls of dough into 1-inch balls. Place on waxed paper-lined baking sheets. Cover loosely; refrigerate until firm (2 hours, or overnight if preferred).
• Melt chocolate chips and shortening in a 1-quart saucepan over low heat, stirring constantly, until smooth (3 to 4 minutes).
• Insert a toothpick into a buttercream bon bon. Holding the toohpick, dip the bon bon into the melted chocolate. Let excess chocolate drip back into saucepan.
• Place chocolate-covered bon bon on a waxed paper-lined baking sheet, and remove the toothpick. Repeat until all the bon bons are coated with melted chocolate.
• Place the sheet of bon bons in the refrigerate at least 30 minutes or until the chocolate is firm.
• Place bon bons in an air-tight container, with a sheet of waxed paper between the layers to keep the bon bons from sticking to one another. Store container in refrigerator (or in the freezer for up to 2 months) until ready to serve.