Traditional French Dark Chocolate Truffles

French Dark Chocolate Truffles Recipe

The Spruce / Kristina Vanni

Prep: 10 mins
Cook: 5 mins
Chill: 60 mins
Total: 75 mins
Servings: 16 servings

A truffle of softly melting dark chocolate ganache lavishly dusted with cocoa powder is a treat unlike any other. These traditional French dark chocolate truffles are the epitome of that treat and once tasted will never be forgotten. The recipe is so rich and flavorful, it'll satisfy even the most dedicated chocolate lovers.

These luxurious candies make a delightful gift and impressive addition to any party, dessert table, or celebration. The best part is, they are so easy to make. Make extra so you can keep some tucked away for yourself.

The secret to success with truffles is to make smooth ganache and then use the proper rolling technique. Neither are difficult and become easier and easier with practice. You'll be surprised how easy it is to make luscious, homemade truffles.

Ingredients

  • 2/3 cup heavy cream

  • 12 ounces bittersweet chocolate, finely chopped

  • 1 teaspoon pure vanilla extract

  • 1/3 cup dark cocoa powder (premium dark)

Steps to Make It

  1. Gather the ingredients.

    French Dark Chocolate Truffles ingredients

    The Spruce / Kristina Vanni

  2. Heat the heavy cream in a small saucepan over medium heat until it is hot and starting to bubble but not fully boiling. Remove the cream from the heat immediately. 

    A small pot of heavy cream simmering

    The Spruce / Kristina Vanni

  3. Add the finely chopped chocolate and vanilla extract and stir with a wooden spoon until the ganache is completely smooth.

    A pot of heavy cream with chopped chocolate being stirred in

    The Spruce / Kristina Vanni

  4. Pop the pan into the fridge and chill the ganache until it is hard enough to roll into balls. Do not use the freezer, as this will make the ganache unworkable.

    A pot of chocolate ganache

    The Spruce / Kristina Vanni

  5. Measure out each truffle by the heaping teaspoonful and use your hands to quickly roll the ganache into a ball. 

    A pot of chocolate ganache with a teaspoon scooping out small balls of ganache

    The Spruce / Kristina Vanni

  6. If the ganache gets too warm, put it back in the fridge for a few minutes to firm up. Work quickly so that your hands don't melt the chocolate too much. Chill the balls, a few at a time, as you go.

    Hands rolling a small ball of chocolate ganche

    The Spruce / Kristina Vanni

  7. Put the cocoa powder into a shallow dish. Take each chilled chocolate ball and quickly roll in the cocoa powder for an even coating. Pop the truffle onto a plate and place back into the fridge to chill down again before serving.

    Balls of chocolate ganache being rolled in cocoa powder

    The Spruce / Kristina Vanni

Tips

  • One of the secrets to making chocolate truffles is to work quickly and keep all the plates and other equipment cool. Keep your hands cool by rinsing under cold water then drying before rolling the truffles. 
  •  Using a wooden spoon rather than a metal one ensures that the temperature of the ganache doesn't drop too much when you put the spoon in. If the spoon is too cold, it will turn some of the chocolate into a solid mass, and you will have to begin again.


Recipe Variations

  • If bittersweet chocolate is too strong for you or whoever you are making the truffles for, then switch the chocolate to a semisweet variety.
  • Roll the chocolate ball in confectioners' sugar instead of cocoa powder.


How to Store Chocolate Truffles

  • Store the finished, chilled truffles in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to five days.


Nutrition Facts (per serving)
155 Calories
10g Fat
14g Carbs
2g Protein
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Nutrition Facts
Servings: 16
Amount per serving
Calories 155
% Daily Value*
Total Fat 10g 13%
Saturated Fat 6g 31%
Cholesterol 16mg 5%
Sodium 20mg 1%
Total Carbohydrate 14g 5%
Dietary Fiber 1g 4%
Total Sugars 11g
Protein 2g
Vitamin C 0mg 0%
Calcium 47mg 4%
Iron 1mg 6%
Potassium 89mg 2%
*The % Daily Value (DV) tells you how much a nutrient in a food serving contributes to a daily diet. 2,000 calories a day is used for general nutrition advice.
(Nutrition information is calculated using an ingredient database and should be considered an estimate.)