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Chocolate truffles are always good for a celebration or party, and they also make a wonderful treat. If you are looking for an easy candy recipe, homemade chocolate truffles are the absolute best! This no-fuss recipe yields the best chocolate truffles made with ingredients like bittersweet chocolate, peanut butter, cream, and vanilla extract. You can roll the truffle mixture into balls and then in any coatings you want, such as nuts, coconut, or edible gold flake. They have a smooth, creamy texture that just melts in your mouth. I warn you, it is hard to just eat one!
Perfect for any occasion from Valentine’s Day to Christmas, these homemade chocolate truffles look and taste incredible.
Fans of chocolate might also enjoy some chocolate chip bread, crisp chocolate cornflake cakes, or these seriously delicious raspberry truffles.
Why You’ll Love It
So delicious: These truffles are so tasty. They combine peanut, chocolate and vanilla flavors for the perfect bite.
Not hard to make: You don’t have to be an experienced chocolatier to make chocolate truffles of this caliber. Making chocolate truffles is super-easy!
A great gift: Pack your finished chocolate truffles into little boxes, tie them with ribbon and you have some fantastic gifts anyone would be delighted to receive.
Chocolate Truffle Ingredients
A complete list of ingredients and amounts can be found in the recipe card below.
Bittersweet chocolate: I like to use this because of how well it contrasts with the sweet flavors. Dark chocolate is also great or, if you prefer very sweet truffles, semisweet chocolate or semisweet baking chocolate. You can use any kind of chocolate you prefer (although keep in mind you should use good quality chocolate for the best results). Use chocolate chips or finely chopped chocolate from a block.
Unsalted butter: Use salted if that’s all you have and leave out the fine sea salt. Softened butter is easiest to mix, so leave it on the counter until it’s soft.
Peanut butter: Adds a lovely nutty flavor to the truffle mixture.
Vanilla extract: Add extra if you love it!
Powdered sugar: Make sure it’s well sifted so the truffle mixture is smooth. You can sub corn syrup for half the powdered sugar if you want.
Heavy cream: To add a rich and indulgent taste – that’s what truffles are all about!
How to Make Homemade Chocolate Truffles
For more detailed instructions with weights and measurements, jump to the printable recipe card.
Make the truffle mixture: Melt the chocolate and butter and stir in the peanut butter, powdered sugar, vanilla extract, and heavy cream.
Chill the truffle mixture: Pour the mixture into a glass baking dish, cover with plastic wrap and chill until firm but still pliable.
Make the chocolate truffle balls: Shape the mixture into 1-inch balls, and arrange them on a chilled plate.
Add any coatings you like: Roll the truffles in finely chopped nuts, coconut, cocoa powder, or your preferred coatings. Chill in the refrigerator until you’re ready to serve them.
Substitutions and Variations
Gluten-free option: If you want a gluten-free version, ensure you’re using gluten-free chocolate for your homemade truffles.
Another flavor: Swap the vanilla extract for another, perhaps hazelnut, coconut or raspberry.
More coating ideas: Anything goes, including traditional coatings like sweetened or unsweetened cocoa powder, crushed nuts and flaked coconut to more unusual ones like popping candy or brightly colored sanding sugar. Let your imagination soar!
Serving Suggestions
Elegant appetizers: Begin your gourmet meal with crab legs, lemon prosciutto salad or pork potstickers.
Delicious main course: Special occasions call for special dishes – how about making a seafood paella?
Desserts to die for: Serve these chocolate truffles with an espresso. If you want to make other desserts, consider devil’s food cookies or lemon tart for an exquisite make-ahead dessert trio.
How to Store Chocolate Truffles
Store: Keep the chocolate truffles refrigerated in an airtight container for up to 3 weeks or for a few days at room temperature.
Freeze: You can freeze these in an airtight container for up to 3 months.
Thaw: Defrost them in the refrigerator overnight.
Top Tips
Pliable truffle mixture: If your truffle mixture is too hard after chilling, leave it at room temperature until it’s more pliable.
Melting the chocolate: You can use a double-boiler if you have one, or a glass bowl over a pot of boiling water.
Roll one at a time: Your hands are going to get messy rolling the truffles. It’s best to roll them one at a time in your chosen coatings for the tidiest results.
Experiment with coatings: I like to make several different kinds but using more than one coating. Get your coatings ready before rolling the truffles so you’re ready to coat them.
Chocolate Truffles FAQs
You don’t have to but they do look pretty like that (especially if you’re gifting them). I used these mini cupcake liners!
Sure, it’s easy to double. Or even triple.
Yes, just swap the peanut butter for almond butter, cashew butter or whichever you prefer. You can use a mini food processor to cream the nut butter if you want (the creamier the nut butter, the creamier the finished chocolate truffles!)
That’s your choice. Some chocolate fans prefer room temperature chocolate while others like theirs chilled. Try the chocolate truffles both ways and see which you like best!
Easy Chocolate Truffles
Homemade Chocolate Truffles
Equipment
- Cookie Scoop 1-Tablespoon
Ingredients
- 8 Ounces bittersweet chocolate, finely chopped
- 2 Tablespoons unsalted butter, at room temperature
- ¼ Teaspoon sea salt, fine
- 2 Tablespoons peanut butter, smooth
- 1 Teaspoon vanilla extract
- 2/3 Cup heavy cream
- ¼ Cup powdered sugar, sifted
Optional Coatings:
- cocoa powder, and other toppings such as finely chopped nuts, coconut flakes, edible gold flake, grated chocolate, vanilla bakers’ decorations or any other edible decorations
Instructions
- In a glass bowl over a pot of simmering water, melt the chocolate and butter, stirring occasionally.
- Once melted, stir in the peanut butter, powdered sugar, vanilla, and cream. Stir until smooth and then remove from the heat.
- Pour the mixture into a shallow glass baking pan, cover it with plastic wrap and refrigerate until firm but still pliable.
- With a tablespoon, scoop the chocolate into 1-inch sized pieces and place on a cold plate. Scoop all the chocolate before rolling the chocolate into balls and then add any coatings you want.
- Cover and refrigerate. Best served at room temperature.
Notes
Melting the chocolate: You can use a double-boiler if you have one, or a glass bowl over a pot of boiling water.
Roll one at a time: Your hands are going to get messy rolling the truffles. It’s best to roll them one at a time in your chosen coatings for the tidiest results.
Experiment with coatings: I like to make several different kinds but using more than one coating. Get your coatings ready before rolling the truffles so you’re ready to coat them.
Nutrition
These homemade chocolate truffles look gorgeous and taste sensational. They’re ideal for any kind of celebration. Creamy, luxurious and with a hint of vanilla, they are the stuff of dreams to any chocoholic or chocolate lover. Whip up a batch as a gift or make them to satisfy your sweet tooth. You’ll love how straightforward it is to make a great chocolate truffles recipe.
Other Recipes to Try
Bella Bucchiotti
Bella Bucchiotti is a Canadian-based syndicated food, travel, and lifestyle writer, photographer, and creator at xoxoBella. She founded xoxoBella in 2015, where she shares her love for food, dogs, sustainability, fitness, crafts, outdoor adventures, travel, and philanthropy to encourage others to run the extra mile, try new recipes, visit unfamiliar places, and stand for a cause. Bella creates stress-free and family-friendly recipes for weeknight dinners and festive feasts.
These truffles are melt-in-your-mouth perfection! The smooth, creamy texture and endless coating options make them a go-to treat. Definitely making these again!
These homemade chocolate truffles are heavenly! Creamy, smooth, and so easy to customize with different coatings. Perfect treat for parties or just because!