Thursday, February 16, 2012

Valentine Wrap-Up with some Truffles!

I hope everyone reading this had a lovely Valentine's Day. Mine was filled with so many things and people I love. Breakfast in the morning with my boys, a round of tennis with some of my best friends, a special "date lunch" with my husband and a little something sweet whipped up in the kitchen. Today I'm sharing with you a recipe for chocolate truffles. I actually thought they would be difficult to make since they are so expensive when purchased in a chocolate shop, but to my surprise they were easy. I adapted this recipe by Jacque Torres. Of course, I'm not a baker nor a chef, so my version is the "easy" version. I shared the truffles with my tennis club and I didn't hear any complaints!

Ingredients:
10 oz. of Dark Chocolate (I chose to use large chips by Ghirardelli)
1 cup Heavy Cream
2 tbs. Unsalted Butter

Coating:
Shredded Coconut
Instant Coffee Drink (I used General Foods International Coffee)
Peppermint Sugar Sprinkles

Directions:
Melt choc. chips in a melting pot or in a double boiler.
Heat cream and butter in small sauce pan until tiny bubbles just begin to appear around the edges.
Pour warmed cream & butter into a glass bowl.
Add 1/3 of the melted chocolate and whisk well.
Once well blended, add remaining melted chocolate and whisk well. Refrigerate for at least 3 hours.
After mixture has set up in refrigerator, prepare for truffle making! Set your coatings in bowls and prepare your paper cups. For scooping the truffles, I used a small cookie dough scoop, but you can also use a teaspoon if you like.

(special thank you to "Thing 1" for helping me mix the chocolate)
Make small balls of chocolate and set on wax paper. Coat each truffle in the topping of your choice. Enjoy!


Finally, I'd like to recognize those who participated in the Valentine Card Swap. If you don't already follow them on twitter, read their blogs or visit their shops... please do! They're all sweethearts.


Cathy Sundermann

I'd love to hear about any special valentines you received this year. Let me know in the comments below!
xoxo
Patti

8 comments:

  1. Hubby and I are funny, we don't really celebrate Valentine's Day. BUT since I am a food blogger, I had to make something:-) I had a craving, so made rice krispie treats with Valentine's Day themed M&M's:-) Your truffles look wonderful!!! I love how easy the recipe is, they look fun to make too! Sending love and hugs, Terra

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. I happen to adore rice krispie treats!! Sounds perfect.
      Thanks for sharing a comment and the love & hugs :)
      xoxo
      P

      Delete
  2. I loved participating in the swap : )! Thanks for hosting lady. Hope your Valentine's Day was extra special.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. I'm so glad you enjoyed it, Lauren!
      And thanks, again, for sharing the cards on instagram :)
      xoxo

      Delete
  3. Thanks for the Valentine swap idea, Patti! Definitely should do it again.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Thank you, Cheryl, for my sweet valentine AND the awesome "Thing1 & Thing 2" sticker.
      Fabulous :)

      Delete
  4. Thank you for hosting a fabulous swap Patti! I even got one of my cards (I had two partners) on Valentine's Day! Amazing. My Valentine's gift from my husband was a lie in. I often work late and with very young kids, it is all he knows I need. (I get it for birthdays too!).

    ReplyDelete
  5. So glad you came up with the Valentine swap idea Patti. I had fun making my card-felt like I was back in elementary school again :-) These truffles look super yummy. Sounds like you had a wonderful valentines day-nice!

    ReplyDelete