Gourmet chocolate shops line the streets of most European cities. Display cases are stuffed with the most tempting combinations. Chocolate dipped fruit. Pralines. Truffles. Some look like miniature sculptures.

My favorites are the truffles, and the variations are almost endless. Inspired by these creations, I decided to learn to make my own.

Equipment

You can use a microwave to melt the chocolate, but I don’t like to. I find that this complicates the process because you need to keep on stopping the microwave to stir it. Besides, there is something soothing about melting chocolate over a low heat. It releases the scent in the air and reminds me of those chocolate shops.

For the slow-melt method, you will need a double burner. I use a saucepan and a metal mixing bowl. The bowl needs to be big enough so that it completely seals the pan. Put the burner on low, so that the water just gently heats. Eventually, the hot steam will warm the pan and melt the chocolate.

Other utensils you will need are a rubber spatula, for scraping the bowl, and a small spoon. I use a metal tablespoon, but I have to remember to take it out of the bowl or else it will be too hot to touch. You can also use a small wooden spoon.

Ingredients

I use heavy cream, unsalted butter (European style if you can find it), and good quality semi-sweet baker’s chocolate. I’ve on occasion used semi-sweet chocolate chips. I like baker’s chocolate better because I find that it melts smoother. I feel that this results in a higher quality chocolate.

Basic Recipe

This recipe makes one batch. The amount of truffles will vary depending on the size.

1. Begin by melting 6 ounces semi-sweet baking chocolate over the double burner.
2. In a separate saucepan, add 2 T unsalted butter and ¼ cup heavy cream.
3. Heat on low until the butter is melted.
4. Once chocolate has melted, add butter and cream mixture. Stir rapidly until well blended.
5. Chill in the refrigerator, uncovered until it is cool and firm. This will take about 30 minutes but it may be longer depending on your refrigerator settings.
6. Remove from fridge when firm. Let melt slightly until you can comfortably work the mixture with a spoon.
7. Take a small, sturdy teaspoon and scoop some of the truffle cream out. Form with your fingers into small, round shapes.

To make truffles in advance, skip step five. Pour mixture into a freezable plastic container. When ready to continue the process, defrost the truffles until workable. Continue with seven.

Rolling the Truffles

Your next step will depend on what you want to use to coat the truffles. You can dip them in chocolate or roll them into cocoa powder, spices, coconut, chopped dates or ground nuts. Use your imagination!

1. Fill a small bowl with the ingredients you will use to coat them.
2. After forming the truffles into balls, dip them into the bowl and then place the chocolates on a cookie sheet lined with parchment paper. Refrigerate until firm.

Dipping the Truffles

Dunking your truffles in chocolate is time consuming but worth the effort. I love the contrast of the firm chocolate and the soft center.

1. Place truffles on a cookie sheet lined with parchment paper after working them into rounded shapes.
2. Refrigerate for about one hour until firm.
3. To prepare the dipping chocolate- Melt about 3 ounces of semi-sweet baking chocolate and 1-2 tablespoons grated beeswax in a double burner. (The beeswax prevents the outer layer of chocolate from melting too quickly). Keep the heat on low. Once the chocolate is melted, do not remove from the double burner.
4. Remove the truffles from the fridge. Pierce the chilled chocolate/cream mixture with a bamboo skewer. Using the skewer, carefully dip it into the chocolate/beeswax mixture. Place back on the parchment and remove the skewer. Refrigerate again until firm, about 1-2 hours.

Modifying the Recipe

You can change this recipe to suit your own tastes. Use any kind of chocolate, as long as it is meant for candy making or baking. Different flavored chips, such as caramel and peanut butter, also work well

It is also fun to add liqueurs and extracts. Extracts are a little stronger. Add ¼ tsp. to the chocolate, cream, and butter mixture after removing it from the heat. Refrigerate and continue the process as usual.

Liqueurs are a fun addition. Just substitute one tablespoon of the cream for one tablespoon of liqueur. If you need more liqueur than that to get the desired taste, make sure you subtract an equal amount of cream. Make sure the chocolate is still on the double burner. You want some of the alcohol to evaporate.

You can also substitute cream cheese for butter. This results in a truffle that is a little lighter. The flavor of the cream cheese goes well with white chocolate. Nut butters also work well as a substitute for better.

My Favorite Variations

Peanut Butter Truffles- Substitute the semi-sweet chocolate for milk chocolate chips. Use the same amount of cream, but substitute peanut butter for the butter. Roll in crushed, unsalted peanuts.

White Chocolate Truffle- Substitute the semi-sweet chocolate for white chocolate. (You can use chips, baker’s chocolate, or candy melts). Use the same amount of cream and butter. Roll in crushed almonds or dip in white chocolate mixed with one tablespoon beeswax.

White Chocolate Almond Truffle- Same as above, but add ¼ tsp almond extract to the melted chocolate, cream, and butter mixture center before refrigerating.

Mocha Truffle- Same as above, but substitute one tablespoon of the cream for one tablespoon strong coffee. You can also substitute milk chocolate for the semi-sweet chocolate. Roll in instant coffee grinds or cocoa powder.

Orange Truffle- Use milk chocolate instead of semi-sweet chocolate. Add ¼ tsp. orange essence to the chocolate, cream, and butter mixture after it is removed from the heat. Refrigerate as usual. Roll in chopped, candied orange peel.

Packaging the Truffle

Truffles make excellent gifts. I like to show off the truffles with clear plastic gift bags. Just close the bag with a pretty ribbon. I like to buy a ribbon that fits the season or occasion- red and green for Christmas, red hearts for Valentine’s Day, etc.

You can include your homemade chocolates in gift baskets. Use your imagination to play with the flavors and themes. Include orange flavored truffles in a fruit basket. Create a coffee themed basket with mocha truffles. A small bottle of liqueur works well with the liqueur flavored truffles.

Chocolate makes a wonderful hostess gift, too. Just line the candies on an inexpensive but elegant serving tray that you can let her keep.