Want a perfect Christmas treat? These make great snacks for a holiday party and sweet holiday gifts. The combination of smooth chocolate and crushed candy canes is just the thing to get you in the holiday spirit. Make a double batch of Chocolate Peppermint Truffles because these babies go fast come holiday time.
by Christina Stanley-Salerno
What you'll need
- 8 ounces semi-sweet chocolate chips
- 3/4 cup heavy cream
- 2 tablespoons unsalted butter
- 1/2 teaspoon peppermint extract
- 1 cup crushed red and white mint candies or candy canes
Helpful Tip:
If truffles begin to soften, pop them back into the fridge until you are ready to serve.
These truffles can be made a couple of weeks in advance and refrigerated. Or make them, a couple of months in advance and freeze in a Ziplock freezer bag.
Don't like mint? Swap out the peppermint extract for your favorite extract or liquor and your favorite nut for the peppermint candies.
These make great hostess/teacher/babysitter gifts. Simply package these in cellophane bags and tie with a pretty bow. Just be sure to refrigerate until you are ready to give them to someone.
How to make it
- Place chocolate chips in a medium sized mixing bowl.
- Heat cream in a small saucepan over medium heat until it comes to a boil. Pour hot cream over the chocolate chips and allow it to sit for 5 minutes. Then, whisk until smooth. Add in peppermint extract and stir to fully incorporate.
- Cover mixture with foil or plastic wrap and place in refrigerator until truffle mixture becomes firm (about 6 hours or overnight).
- Place a piece of parchment paper onto a large plate or cookie sheet and set aside.
- Place the crushed peppermints on a plate or a cutting board.
- Remove truffle mixture from the refrigerator. Using a teaspoon, or a melon baller, scoop out small balls of chocolate. Roll each carefully in your hand until it resembles a misshapen little ball (these should not be perfectly round, they are supposed to resemble real truffles).
- Immediately roll each truffle in the crushed peppermint and place on prepared baking sheet. Cover truffles and place them in the refrigerator until firm.
