Hand Crafted Chocolate Truffles

Gang, we are in this together today.  I’ve never made a chocolate truffle before in my life.

I haven’t posted in a few weeks because I lost my Dad late last month.  Much like becoming a new parent, you can never really understand what losing a parent feels like until it happens to you.  My Dad was a man of deep faith and integrity.  He had been very sick, was completely at peace and knew exactly where he was going next.  Still makes it crazy hard to lose him.

What a humbling moment talking to the 600 plus folks who came through the receiving line at the wake.  My Dad touched my life incredibly during our years together, now I understand just how much he touched others.

So why the chocolate truffles you ask?

Well, frankly because my dad loved, loved, loved chocolate.  Everyone says I look more like my Mom but have my Dad’s personality.  My Dad was eternally optimistic, always had many interests and pursuits, loved to laugh and share his life with friends and family.  He traveled frequently and was always up for an adventure.   And like me, had quite a sweet tooth.  Chocolate in particular.

A few years back my friend Donna, who is a VERY accomplished truffle maker by the way, brought over all these wonderful different homemade truffles.  She put a toothpick in each truffle and made a truffle topiary tree.  (I love to surround myself with talented and inspired friends!)  I was too busy popping truffles in my mouth to snap a picture at the time, but if you click on the link you’ll kind of get the idea of how cute and adorable a truffle topiary is.  Chocolate Truffle Topiary

Having never made truffles from scratch before, I was intrigued. The truffles were so chocolatey, decadent and delicious.  I decided to make them myself sometime and of course  share them with my chief chocolate-partner-in-crime.

I never did get around to making the chocolate truffles and sharing them with my Dad before he died.  Probably procrastinating because I thought truffles would be time consuming and challenging to create.  (Now I know they are really actually quite quick and easy to make…oh well, my bad.)  Do I regret it?  I could, but I decided not to because my Dad always taught me never to live your life from a position of regret.

So this post is dedicated to you, Dad.  I hope they have decadent, gooey, handcrafted chocolate truffles in heaven for you.  And for those of you who are lucky enough to still have your Dad around…..give him a big hug and some chocolate truffles on me!

Chocolate Truffles

recipe from Ina Garten

Ingredients

1/2 pound good bittersweet chocolate

1/2 pound good semisweet chocolate

1 cup heavy cream

2 TBSP Grand Marnier Liqueur (optional)

1/2 tsp vanilla extract

1 TBSP instant espresso granules (also optional)

cocoa powder

Method

Chop up both types of chocolate finely with a sharp knife.  Remember, the better the chocolate you use, the better the truffles will taste.  Place the chocolate  in a glass bowl.

Heat the heavy whipping cream up in a small saucepan until it just starts to boil.  (Scalded)  Pour the hot whipping cream through a sieve over the chopped chocolate.

With a wire whisk, slowly stir the cream and chocolate together until all the chocolate melts.  Whisk in the vanilla extract, Grand Marnier and espresso.  Place in refrigerator until mixture is set enough to scoop.

Using a melon scooper or 2 teaspoons, scoop out a dollop of the chocolate mixture. Roll each dollop of chocolate around in your palm to make a ball.  Roll chocolate ball in cocoa powder to finish.  Line up finished balls on a cookie sheet.  Refrigerate until firm and serve!

 
Enjoy!

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