Silky, creamy, blueberry chocolate truffles are an easy and elegant homemade treat and/or gift.
No celebration is complete without chocolate, and homemade chocolate truffles make for an easy and elegant treat. There is something undeniably gratifying about offering a homemade gift that is also thankfully easy to make and that's what these chocolate blueberry truffles are.
Silky, creamy and studded with tiny bits of chopped dried blueberries, they can be served in individual paper cups or packed in cellophane bags tied with a ribbon to gift. The truffles can also be made ahead of time and keep well for weeks in the refrigerator making them a great make-ahead recipe.
The inspiration for the additions of blueberries came from an incredible flourless chocolate cake I’d recently eaten at a local patisserie. The cake was a rich torte with a thick, fudge-like interior similar to a dense souffle that came with the unexpected surprise of tiny little blueberries in each silky bite. The combination of the rich, dark chocolate and blueberries was memorable and I was eager to recreate it in truffle form.
Chocolate truffles start with ganache. Ganache is simply an emulsion of chocolate and cream to which flavorings are added. It is the ratio of cream to chocolate that determines the consistency of the ganache and what it is used for. An equal ratio of chocolate to cream (by weight) is considered a ganache of medium consistency, 2 parts chocolate to 1 part cream is considered a ganache of firm consistency, and soft ganaches have more than 50 percent cream.
For the centers of these truffles, I made a medium-hard ganache - utilizing more chocolate than cream to produce a somewhat dense filling that would firm up just enough to hold its shape for rolling truffles.
Heavy cream is heated with finely chopped dried blueberries and a touch of honey. The hot cream and blueberries are then poured over the finely chopped chocolate, and left to sit for a minute to start melting and bring down the temperature of the mixture to allow for better emulsification. After the resting period they are gently stirred together in a slow, circular motion from the inside of the bowl towards the edges until silky and smooth and very soft butter is incorporated to the mixture to increase the butterfat percentage and add richness to the filling. The result is rich and intense with chocolate flavor.
Chocolate Blueberry Truffles Recipe
Chocolate truffles flavored with blueberries and a touch of honey.
Ingredients
- 8 oz (225g) dark chocolate (at least 60% cocoa solids)
- ¼ tsp fleur de sel
- ½ cup plus 2 Tablespoons (150 ml) heavy cream (double cream) (35-40% butterfat)
- ½ cup (92g) finely chopped dried blueberries
- 1 Tablespoon (15ml) honey
- 2 Tablespoons (28 grams) softened unsalted butter, cut into small pieces (it’s important that the butter be very soft)
- Dutch-processed unsweetened cocoa powder, for rolling
Instructions
- Chop the chocolate as finely as possible to allow it to melt quickly and easily. Place the chopped chocolate and fleur de sel in a medium bowl and set aside.
- In a medium saucepan, combine the cream, finely chopped dried blueberries and honey and bring to a gentle boil over medium heat.
- Pour the hot cream over the chocolate and let stand undisturbed for about 1 minute to begin melting the chocolate. Using a spatula, gently stir the mixture from the center outwards mix until all of the hot cream is incorporated and the ganache is homogenous.
- Whisk in the soft butter one piece at a time until incorporated. The ganache should be slightly thick and shiny. Cover the bowl with plastic wrap and refrigerate the ganache until set, about 2 to 3 hours. As it cools, it will firm and thicken; it should be firm, but soft enough to scoop out and roll into balls.
- Remove the truffle mixture from the refrigerator and using a melon baller or small scoop, scoop up a scant tablespoonful of ganache for each truffle. Roll each portion into a round in the palm of your hand and place onto a parchment lined sheet. Put the formed truffles in the fridge for about 15 minutes or until firm.
- Sift enough cacao powder to coat the bottom of a shallow plate or pie pan. Toss each truffle in the cocoa powder so that it is well coated, then carefully toss the truffles between your hands to shake off the excess or roll the truffles around in a sieve to shake off the extra cocoa.
- The truffles can be served immediately or can be stored tightly covered in the refrigerator for up to 2 weeks. Serve the truffles at room temperature.
Nutrition Information:
Serving Size:
24Amount Per Serving: Calories: 7Cholesterol: 1mgCarbohydrates: 1gSugar: 1g
Nutritional information for recipes contained on this website, such as calories, fat, carbs, etc. are only estimates and are not guaranteed to be accurate.
Sylvie Shirazi is the recipe developer and food photographer behind Gourmande in the Kitchen. For the last 10 years she's been making eating more healthfully easy and accessible with gluten-free, grain-free, paleo and vegan recipes that are free from processed ingredients.
Jennifer (Delicieux) says
I agree, no celebration is complete without chocolate! Your truffles look absolutely amazing and I adore your photos. Simply stunning Sylvie.
Rosie @ Sweetapolita says
Gorgeous, and I adore this combination of flavours! Stunning photos, as always Sylvie!
Magic of Spice says
What a wonderful truffle recipe, they look simply gorgeous!
Allison @ Alli 'n Son says
These sound soooo good. Your photos are beautiful, I can practically taste the truffles.
I hope you'll stop by and share your recipe with my linky, Sweet Tooth Friday. http://alli-n-son.com/2011/03/24/chocolate-donuts/
Pudding Pie Lane says
Congratulations to your friend! Beautiful photos as always. I would make something similar if I were attending a baby shower, as it's easily transportable and everyone can have a nibble 🙂 I might also make small florentines I think ^^
TINA @ MOMS CRAZY COOKING says
WOW these look wonderful! We are having a CHOCOLATE... CHOCOLATE... and MORE CHOCOLATE linky party over at THIS WEEK'S CRAVINGS! We would LOVE for you to link up your chocolate recipe.. it's gonna be a really SWEET week, we hope you stop by and link up!
http://momscrazycooking.blogspot.com/2011/03/this-weeks-cravings-21-chocolate-and.html
Baking Serendipity says
This is such a cute idea and amazing recipe! Looks fantastic 🙂
Shauna from Piece of Cake says
What an awesome flavor combination! And stunning photos, as always. XO
Lawyer Loves Lunch says
I love the idea of fruit in truffles! Makes me feel a bit more virtuous as I proceed to eat ten in a row 🙂
PS: These pictures are spectacular! 🙂
madhu says
Sylvie, your magic is spreading the world over!! Amanda, congratulations!!!!!