Juicy Orange Chocolate Christmas Truffles Recipe
These Juicy Orange Chocolate Christmas Truffles combine the rich smoothness of dark chocolate with a bright, zesty hint of orange, making a delightful festive treat. Coated in chocolate sprinkles, these truffles offer a perfect balance of creamy texture and vibrant flavor, ideal for holiday celebrations or as a thoughtful homemade gift.
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 5 minutes
- Total Time: 2 hours 20 minutes
- Yield: Approximately 20 truffles 1x
- Category: Dessert
- Method: Stovetop
- Cuisine: European
- Diet: Vegetarian
Ingredients
Scale
Truffle Mixture
- 90 ml (around 1/3 cup plus 2 teaspoons) heavy cream
- 200 g (7 oz) dark cooking chocolate (40% cocoa), finely chopped
- 1 teaspoon finely grated orange peel
Coating
- 1/3 cup chocolate sprinkles
Instructions
- Prepare the Equipment and Ingredients: Line a small, flat dish (around 13 x 18 cm or 7 x 5 inches) with non-stick baking paper. Place chocolate sprinkles into a small bowl and line a baking tray with non-stick baking paper for later use.
- Heat the Cream and Melt the Chocolate: In a small saucepan, combine the heavy cream and finely grated orange peel. Heat over low heat until just below boiling. Remove from heat, add the finely chopped chocolate, and stir gently until the chocolate is completely melted and the mixture is smooth and glossy.
- Chill the Chocolate Mixture: Pour the chocolate mixture into the prepared dish, smoothing it evenly. Refrigerate for about 2 hours, or until firm enough to scoop and roll.
- Shape the Chocolate Balls: Scoop approximately three level teaspoons of the chilled chocolate mixture using a small ice cream scoop or teaspoon. Roll into compact, small balls, letting the mixture soften slightly at room temperature if too firm. Keep your hands cool using an ice pack or frozen peas and dry with paper towels as needed.
- Coat in Chocolate Sprinkles: Roll each chocolate ball thoroughly in the bowl of chocolate sprinkles until fully coated. Place the coated truffles on the prepared baking tray.
- Refrigerate and Store the Truffles: Refrigerate the coated truffles for at least 30 minutes until firm. Store them in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to one week, using parchment paper to separate layers if stacking.
Notes
- Use a good quality dark chocolate with 40% cocoa for a perfect balance of sweetness and bitterness.
- If the truffle mixture becomes too hard to shape, let it sit at room temperature for 5-10 minutes before rolling.
- Keep your hands cool and dry while rolling truffles to prevent melting and sticking.
- For variations, try rolling the truffles in cocoa powder, crushed nuts, or shredded coconut instead of chocolate sprinkles.
- Store truffles chilled to maintain their texture and freshness for up to one week.
Keywords: orange chocolate truffles, Christmas truffles, holiday chocolate, chocolate orange dessert, festive truffles, homemade truffles, chocolate sprinkles, creamy truffles
