Chocolate truffles are the first confection I learned to make as a kid! They are so easy and decadent. And they make the perfect gift for chocolate lovers for special occasions and holidays.
Learn all the ways to make classic chocolate truffles with this comprehensive, step by step guide with troubleshooting tips.
Here I’ll share my favorite easy chocolate truffles recipe, and all the tips and ways to shape and decorate them.
Other Chocolate Truffle Coating OptionsFinely chopped nuts (like pecans, pistachios, or hazelnuts)Unsweetened natural cocoa powder.Sprinkles.Crushed freeze-dried strawberries or raspberries.Shredded coconut.Powdered sugar.Finely chopped crystallized ginger.Matcha powder.
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Finely chopped nuts (like pecans, pistachios, or hazelnuts)
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Unsweetened natural cocoa powder.
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Sprinkles.
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Crushed freeze-dried strawberries or raspberries.
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Shredded coconut.
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Powdered sugar.
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Finely chopped crystallized ginger.
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Matcha powder.
The truffles are too dry and toppings don’t stick
Dry truffles could mean that the chocolate to cream ratio was higher (i.e. more chocolate). But this can also result in truffles that feel grainy when eating them.
If you did follow the recipe and the truffles are still dry, it just could be that the ganache mix is chilled super well. If you can shape the ganache into truffle shapes, then you can coat the truffles!
If your truffle toppings are too big and rough, they will have a harder time sticking to the chocolate as well in this case. So, I recommend using toppings that are smaller in size, or chopping them into smaller pieces (such as chopped nuts).
How to coat chocolate truffles
There are two main ways to coat and serve your chocolate truffles.
- Coated with tempered chocolate – more advanced technique.
- Covered with something other than melted chocolate – easier technique.
There are so many ingredients that you can use to coat your chocolate truffles with. The most classic is of course chocolate truffles with cocoa powder, because it makes the truffles look rustic, much like mushroom truffles that are covered in soil.
For the easier version of chocolate truffles, roll them in unsweetened cocoa powder. The bitter sweetness and the classic simplicity are hard to beat. Other coating options include,
- Ground / shaved chocolate,
- Desiccated coconut,
- Chopped nuts,
- Sprinkles (colored or chocolate sprinkles),
- Crushed cookies
The advanced version involves tempering chocolate and coating the truffles in the tempered chocolate. I recommend doing this only if you are familiar with working with chocolate.
However, you can by pass tempering chocolate by using candy melts that do not require tempering.
The first way to coat the truffles in tempered chocolate is to directly dip them in the chocolate using a dipping fork. The second way is to hand coat the truffles. To do this, take a little melted chocolate into your palm and roll the truffle in it to coat. For both methods, I like to chill the tray first so that the chocolate coating sets faster.
Dip the truffles in the tempered chocolate, and place them on a parchment paper-lined baking tray. Dipping gives the chocolate truffles a thicker coating, that is also smoother.
To prevent run off (or a chocolate puddle), roll the truffle in your palm with some tempered chocolate. Then allow them to set, and repeat for a second coating. This will give the truffles a nice, thin, rustic-looking coating.
With both methods, you can sprinkle stuff on top before the chocolate coating sets. These can be indicative of what the flavor of your chocolate truffle is going to be.
To keep things simple here, these chocolate truffles will not be coated with tempered chocolate. But you can absolutely choose to dip or roll your truffles in tempered chocolate if you prefer.
Truffles Looking HOMELY!? 4 Mistakes to Avoid & How to fix Them!!
FAQ
How do you finish truffles?