A chocolate truffle is a type of chocolate confectionery, traditionally made with a chocolate ganache — a mixture of melted chocolate and warmed cream — cooled until firm, rolled, and coated with chocolate, cocoa powder or chopped toasted nuts, usually in a spherical, conical, or curved shape. Their name derives from their resemblance to truffles, edible fungi.
Kelly, the owner of Chocolates by Kelly, and a fifth generation chocolatier, started us on our truffle-making journey by giving each of us a half bar of COLD butter, chopped into quarter-inch or smaller chips.
Then she instructed us to fold the butter bits into 6 oz dark melted chocolate, folding and mixing until melted. When the butter is all melted and the chocolate looks smooth as silk, add 2 oz chilled heavy cream and mix until the chocolate solidifies enough to hold up a spatula.
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| Kelly, the owner, dished out the melted dark chocolate for us. |
After letting it rest a few minutes, using a teaspoon chunk out bite-size amounts of the chocolate mixture until all the chocolate is in the bite-sized amounts. Cut down on the mess by putting on gloves, but plan on there being a mess!
We poured out our finishes into little bowls: chopped nuts, coconut, sugar, coco powder, and so forth. We also picked out some spices. Kelly encouraged us to experiment with flavors. She suggested savory spices — mint flakes, cloves, sage — as well as chai powder, tumeric, sweet curry.
After we selected what we wanted to flavor the truffles with, we started rolling the truffles. For the flavorings, we put just a sprinkle or a few flakes in our palms as we quickly rolled the truffle. Then we dipped it into its covering.
It was a messy operation.
Our table got messy, our hands got messy, and yes, I may have licked the spatula, and of course, my face got messy. It was soooo much fun! It took about 90 minutes, but felt like 15.
There are several chocolate truffle recipes on the internet. Find one that works for you and start making that chocolatey goodness!
Looking for a fun outing with friends? Contact Chocolates by Kelly to determine when the next class in chocolate truffle-making will be!
Getting there: Short Pump Town Center, 11800 W Broad Street , Suite 2136, Henrico, VA 23233
Hours: Please check the website below for future truffle-making class offerings.
Website: http://chocolatesbykelly.com/
