It's the holiday season, and what is better then making decadent chocolate treats (and have the excuse to eat them?) They look and tastes great as gifts too.
Truffles, while not technically difficult, are really time consuming to make. They are much easier to work with when the centers are chilled and firm. So if it doesn't feel like they want to come together, stick the mixture back in the freezer and try again in 5 minutes. They do present wonderfully and just look on so cute in small boxes. :-)
Chocolate Honey Pecan Date Truffles
Makes approx 36 truffles
Approx prep time: 1h 30mins
Refrigeration time: 25mins
INGREDIENTS:
- 1/4 cup of butter
- 1/4 cup of honey
- 3/4 cups of chopped dates
- 1/4 cup of honey
- 3/4 cups of chopped dates
- 1/2 teaspoon of vanilla extract
- 1/2 cup of chopped pecans
- 1 3/4 cups of Rice Krispies
- 250g of dark chocolate, chopped (I prefer Valhrona)
For Coating:
- 1 cup of unsweetened coconut (optional)
- 1/4 cup of cocoa powder (optional)
HOW TO MAKE IT:
- Melt butter with honey in a medium saucepan set over medium.
- Melt butter with honey in a medium saucepan set over medium.
- Stir in dates and simmer for 3 min.
- Remove from heat and stir in vanilla, pecans and cereal.
- Chill mixture in the freezer until completely cool, about 10-20 min.
- Scoop with a tbsp measure and press firmly into 1 inch bite-sized balls. The mixture has to be cold to the touch or else it won't hold together, also, if you have warm hands, cool them in cold water and dry your hands before working.
- Melt chocolate in a microwave-safe bowl on medium for 2-3 minutes, stirring every minute to make sure the chocolate on the sides don't burn or overheat.
- Melt chocolate in a microwave-safe bowl on medium for 2-3 minutes, stirring every minute to make sure the chocolate on the sides don't burn or overheat.
- Once 80% of the chocolate has melted, remove and stir until completely melted, the bowl should not be hot to the touch.
- Pour coconut into a small bowl and Cocoa Powder in another small bowl.
- Using 2 forks to hold balls (I used chocolate dipping tools), coat with chocolate, then roll in coconut or cocoa powder, or nothing at all and place on a waxed paper lined plate or baking sheet.
- Chill in refrigerator on a waxed-paper-lined baking sheet until chocolate firms up, about 15 min. - Store in an airtight container up to 1 week.
Recipe referenced from: http://food.chatelaine.com/recipes/view/chocolate-date-truffles/32936
they sounds yummy........
ReplyDeletei will definitely try this.
thanks for posting.
I just finished eating all of mine (though I did give away half of it as gifts). :-) Let me know how they turn out. I like these because of the wholesome ingredients...I feel slightly less guilty when I devour them all in one sitting.
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