Christmas is a time of giving and what better way to show your loved ones how much you appreciate them than by making them something home made and delicious? It’s easy to walk into a shop and buy a box of chocolates but spending a few hours making some, like these Christmas Coffee Truffles will show how much you really care! I made these truffles with the help of the Thermapen 4 Digital Thermometer as the last thing you want to do when making chocolates is to overheat your chocolate or you’ll end up with muddy finish to them.
The Thermapen 4 Digital Thermometer is the UK’s number 1 selling food thermometer and I have to say I do love it. I was even telling the owner of my local kitchen shop about the Thermapen the other day when I went into buy my petite four cases. The features I love are that the temperature probe can be angled so that you can keep you hand away from any heat, it lights up automatically in dim light, the display reads the right way up whichever way you hold it and it reads the temperature in just 2 seconds. But that’s not all it also has a built in sleep mode and wakes up as soon as you pick it up plus it’s waterproof so doesn’t mind being splashed. If you know a keen cook then I couldn’t think of a better present for them this Christmas along with my truffles of course!
Recently I gave my sister some of my Christmas Coffee Truffles in a box which I’d given a makeover with some gold paper and she thought they were from a shop until I explained! The rest stayed in our fridge and the family couldn’t stop singing their praises as coffee really elevates and intensifies the taste of chocolate and my daughter said they were the best chocolates she had ever had.
- For ganache:
- 150 g 72% Dark chocolate, finely chopped
- 150 g Milk chocolate (good quality), finely chopped
- 120 mls Double cream
- 4 tsp Barista style instant coffee (I used Americano)
- For coating/decoration:
- 170 g 72% Dark chocolate, broken into small pieces
- Sugar paste holly leaves & berries
- Pour double cream into a saucepan, bring to a simmer and then remove from heat.
- Add the chopped chocolate and stir until melted.
- Transfer to a glass bowl and allow to cool before putting in the fridge for 2 hrs to set.
- Prepare a baking tray with a sheet of baking parchment.
- Use a melon baller (smaller end) to scoop out orbs of ganache or use a teaspoon to scoop out equal sized spoonfuls and roll into balls with your hands (disposable vinyl gloves are great for this plus handling the chocolates generally). Place the truffles onto the parchment.
- Place the tray of truffles in the fridge overnight (or allow to cool for several hours).
- Melt the rest of dark chocolate over a pan of simmering water and take off the heat when it reaches a temperature between 46 – 49°C (test using a Thermapen thermometer). This will ensure you don't overheat the chocolate and it will have the perfect viscosity for coating.
- Next push a truffle onto the end of a cocktail stick and hold over the bowl, spoon the melted chocolate over it, turning as you go.
- Finish off by wiping the base of the truffle against the edge of the bowl to remove excess chocolate.
- Use a fork (a cake fork is good) to lift the truffle off the cocktail stick and then lower onto the parchment using the cocktail stick to leaver the truffle gently off the fork.
- Using tweezers (sterilised) pick up the holly leaves and berries and place on the truffles before the chocolate sets.
- Repeat this process until all the truffles are coated, heating up the chocolate and testing the temperature as necessary.
- Place the truffles once set into petit four cases.
- Store in the fridge and eat within 3 days.
- Give to friends and family a watch their amazement when you tell them you made them:-)
For more Christmas foodie gift inspiration you might like to check out the following recipes from around the web:
Rocky Road Fudge – Fab Food 4 All
Cranberry and Pistachio Nougat – Supper in the Suburbs
Baileys, Pistachio & Cranberry Fudge – Foodie Quine
Easy 2 Ingredient Chocolate Fudge – Eats Amazing
Festive Chocolate Christmas Trees – Family, Friends Food
Pomegranate, Pretzel and Pistachio Bark – Celery & Cupcakes
Chocolate Coated Caramel Brazils– Tin and Thyme
Gluten Free Snowflake Cookies – The Hedge Combers
Chilli Honey Marshmallows – Fuss Free Flavours
Christmas Spice Truffle filled Dark Chocolates – Franglais Kitchen
Les Mendiants – Croque Maman
Slow Cooker Apple Butter & other edible gifts – Recipes from a Pantry
Home-made Edible Gifts – Munchies and Munchkins
Why not pin for later?
NB: This is a commissioned post for Electronic Temperature Instruments, all opinions are my own.
69 comments
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Ana De- Jesus
25/11/2015 at 4:48 pm (UTC 1) Link to this comment
These look phenomenal I would eat these all in one gulp there is no doubt about it!
Camilla
25/11/2015 at 10:52 pm (UTC 1) Link to this comment
Thank you Ana – they were soo good:-)
Serena La Pietra
23/11/2015 at 2:47 pm (UTC 1) Link to this comment
These look great but don’t think the kids will go for the coffee flavour.
Camilla
23/11/2015 at 11:41 pm (UTC 1) Link to this comment
You could always leave the rum out and substitute with vanilla extract or orange oil. My daughter is coffee mad and influence my choice:-)
kimberley ryan
22/11/2015 at 3:22 pm (UTC 1) Link to this comment
awesome, these look fabulous, I really want to give these a try
Camilla
22/11/2015 at 4:27 pm (UTC 1) Link to this comment
Thanks Kimberley, do let me know how you get on:-)
nazima
21/11/2015 at 9:41 pm (UTC 1) Link to this comment
these are SO beautiful Camilla. Love them. I must try and get my act together this year on making some edible gifts
Camilla
21/11/2015 at 11:35 pm (UTC 1) Link to this comment
Thank you Nazima, it’s a great way to get in the festive mood:-)
Alica
21/11/2015 at 3:40 pm (UTC 1) Link to this comment
These sounds amazing!!
Dannii @ Hungry Healthy Happy
20/11/2015 at 12:22 pm (UTC 1) Link to this comment
Making my own truffles is one of my favourite Christmas activities and yours look delicious Camilla!
Camilla
20/11/2015 at 11:33 pm (UTC 1) Link to this comment
Thanks Dannii – I hadn’t made any for far too long!
YOLANDA DAVIS
19/11/2015 at 11:36 am (UTC 1) Link to this comment
I can’t wait to try and make these this year.
Camilla
19/11/2015 at 11:40 am (UTC 1) Link to this comment
Fab, do let me know how you get on:-)
Lynsie Lynn
14/11/2015 at 11:52 pm (UTC 1) Link to this comment
I can’t wait to try these out 🙂 I am going to try and make them and give them out as handmade gifts 🙂 Thank you for sharing the recipe 🙂
Camilla
16/11/2015 at 10:02 pm (UTC 1) Link to this comment
Thanks Lynsie do let me know how you get on:-)
Petra Beck
14/11/2015 at 10:03 am (UTC 1) Link to this comment
They look stunning and very professional! I have made choccies before and they always tasted good, but mostly looked a bit, erm, rough! Must make more of an effort! Thanks for the recipe.
Camilla
14/11/2015 at 2:47 pm (UTC 1) Link to this comment
Aaw, thank you so much Petra:-)
Leila Benhamida
13/11/2015 at 9:25 am (UTC 1) Link to this comment
Love anything with coffee, this looks wonderful.
Camilla
13/11/2015 at 10:38 am (UTC 1) Link to this comment
Thank you Leila, they were fab:-)
All That I'm Eating
12/11/2015 at 4:57 pm (UTC 1) Link to this comment
I love the sound of these Camilla, really sweet little decorations too. Ideal for a gift!
Camilla
12/11/2015 at 5:32 pm (UTC 1) Link to this comment
Thank you:-)
peter @feedyoursoultoo
11/11/2015 at 2:00 pm (UTC 1) Link to this comment
What a tasty and decorative holiday treat.
Camilla
11/11/2015 at 5:11 pm (UTC 1) Link to this comment
Thank you Peter;-)
Elizabeth
11/11/2015 at 10:35 am (UTC 1) Link to this comment
Such a great handmade gift idea – these look so pretty!
Camilla
11/11/2015 at 11:04 am (UTC 1) Link to this comment
Thank you Elizabeth, I think home-made gifts and the nicest:-)
April J Harris
11/11/2015 at 8:12 am (UTC 1) Link to this comment
What beautiful truffles – such a thoughtful gift! And I love the Thermapen. I’m going to have to get hold of one of those!
Camilla
11/11/2015 at 11:04 am (UTC 1) Link to this comment
Thanks April and yes the Thermapen is a game changer;-)
Jo Carroll
10/11/2015 at 11:23 am (UTC 1) Link to this comment
These look so scrumptious, I’m definately going to give them a try. Thanks for giving so detailed instructions to follow 🙂
Camilla
10/11/2015 at 1:52 pm (UTC 1) Link to this comment
Brilliant Jo, do let me know how you get on:-)
Myriam Clark
09/11/2015 at 8:57 pm (UTC 1) Link to this comment
Love truffles
Alida
09/11/2015 at 2:07 pm (UTC 1) Link to this comment
Wow, these look so perfectly made! They would make good Christmas gifts too. Great idea Camilla.
Camilla
10/11/2015 at 3:01 pm (UTC 1) Link to this comment
Thank you so much Alida:-)
Grace @ Eats Amazing
09/11/2015 at 10:22 am (UTC 1) Link to this comment
These truffles look delicious and you’ve presented them so beautifully too – they would be a perfect gift! Pinning this for Christmas presents!
Camilla
09/11/2015 at 10:35 am (UTC 1) Link to this comment
Aaw, thank you Grace, when you think how much hand-made chocolates cost it really does make sense to make them and they taste so lush and fresh too:-)
Janie
09/11/2015 at 8:35 am (UTC 1) Link to this comment
Oh my god, they are superb Camilla! They look professional (I used to work in a chocolate shop so reckon I am qualified to say that!) Oh, and I now want a thermapen! Dear Santa….
Janie x
Camilla
09/11/2015 at 10:38 am (UTC 1) Link to this comment
Thank you so much Janie, that’s a real compliment then:-) You have to get a Thermapen, I’ll put in a word with Santa too:-)
Jo of Jo's Kitchen
08/11/2015 at 8:24 pm (UTC 1) Link to this comment
I must make these for Christmas. They look great
Camilla
08/11/2015 at 10:29 pm (UTC 1) Link to this comment
Thanks Jo:-)
Tara
08/11/2015 at 4:36 pm (UTC 1) Link to this comment
These are picture perfect and I can say I sure love my Thermapen!!
Camilla
08/11/2015 at 5:38 pm (UTC 1) Link to this comment
Thank you so much Tara, the Thermapen is exceellent:-)
Camilla
08/11/2015 at 1:38 pm (UTC 1) Link to this comment
Thank you Corina:-)
chrin
08/11/2015 at 1:37 pm (UTC 1) Link to this comment
these look amazing
Camilla
10/11/2015 at 3:11 pm (UTC 1) Link to this comment
Thank you:-)
Nicole Neverman
08/11/2015 at 2:30 am (UTC 1) Link to this comment
These truffles sound so delicious! Your decoration is really well done too 🙂
Camilla
08/11/2015 at 1:41 pm (UTC 1) Link to this comment
Thank you so much Nicola, they really were delicious:-
Paul Wilson
08/11/2015 at 12:02 am (UTC 1) Link to this comment
Love making truffles for Christmas.
Heather Haigh
07/11/2015 at 7:41 pm (UTC 1) Link to this comment
They look great and would make a lovely home made gift which I always think is so special.
Lorna Kennedy
07/11/2015 at 6:49 pm (UTC 1) Link to this comment
Wow – these look amazing. I hope I’m feeling brave enough to give it a go 🙂
Camilla
07/11/2015 at 11:23 pm (UTC 1) Link to this comment
Thanks Lorna, they are dead easy just take time to do but are great fun to make and will get you in the Christmas mood plus your friends will be so impressed with your thoughtful delicious gift:-)
Made With Pink
07/11/2015 at 5:41 pm (UTC 1) Link to this comment
Oh these are just too cute! I love my pink thermapen. I’ve herd they make an instant read one as well. I do find my original one is a bit slow to read sometimes, but overall I love it.
Camilla
07/11/2015 at 11:25 pm (UTC 1) Link to this comment
Thank you:-) This one takes 3 second readings so is super fast:-)
Lindsey Stuart
07/11/2015 at 4:40 pm (UTC 1) Link to this comment
These truffles are the cutest little festive bakes i have seen!
I would love to be able to make them
thankyou for sharing with us
Camilla
07/11/2015 at 11:26 pm (UTC 1) Link to this comment
Thank you so much Lindsey, they are easy to make but just require a steady hand and patience;-)
Helen @ Fuss Free Flavours
07/11/2015 at 12:39 pm (UTC 1) Link to this comment
I love my Thermapen, and realized just how much I’d managed to overcook a turkey yesterday!
Lovely truffles, far too good to wait until Christmas!
Camilla
07/11/2015 at 12:41 pm (UTC 1) Link to this comment
Thanks Helen:-) The Thermapen is great and saw it again on TV this morning, this time being used my Rick Stein on a whole fish he was frying, before that it was on GBBO, I’m not surprised it’s getting such notoriety:-)
Bintu | Recipes From A Pantry
07/11/2015 at 10:08 am (UTC 1) Link to this comment
Great photo Camilla. might try this with my kiddoes and my own Thermapen.
Camilla
07/11/2015 at 12:25 pm (UTC 1) Link to this comment
Thank you Bintu:-)
Kavey
07/11/2015 at 9:22 am (UTC 1) Link to this comment
Lovely and even, they look so perfect, Camilla!
Camilla
07/11/2015 at 12:26 pm (UTC 1) Link to this comment
Aaw, thanks Kavey:-)
Jemma @ Celery and Cupcakes
07/11/2015 at 7:14 am (UTC 1) Link to this comment
These look so cute Camilla and the finish is very professional. Thank you for including my recipe in the roundup.
Camilla
07/11/2015 at 12:26 pm (UTC 1) Link to this comment
Thank you so much Jemma:-)
Dom
06/11/2015 at 11:37 pm (UTC 1) Link to this comment
nooooooo! too soon… but yes please, they look divine!
Camilla
07/11/2015 at 1:04 am (UTC 1) Link to this comment
Did you say that to John Lewis and all the other companies that brought out their Christmas ads today Dom. I’m just keeping up with the Jones’s LOL:-) Thanks they were out of this world;-)
Food Glorious Food
06/11/2015 at 7:58 pm (UTC 1) Link to this comment
Nom, nom, nom perfect as a treat and a gift for Christmas 🙂
Camilla
06/11/2015 at 9:24 pm (UTC 1) Link to this comment
Thanks they really are a fab treat:-)
Helene @CroqueMaman
06/11/2015 at 6:07 pm (UTC 1) Link to this comment
Hi Camilla! Thank you for sharing this delicious recipe. They look stunning, no wonder your sister thought they came from the shop. I have been on the lookout for a thermometer so thank you as well for the recommendation and for sharing my recipe. Happy Friday! Helene
Camilla
06/11/2015 at 9:26 pm (UTC 1) Link to this comment
Aaw, thank you Helene and the Thermapen 4 really is fabulous, my other digi thermometers are in retirement now as this one does everything;-)
Emma
06/11/2015 at 5:26 pm (UTC 1) Link to this comment
I love these Camilla! They look so professional. I really do need to get to grips with tempering chocolate it clearly makes all the difference. I do have a thermometer so no excuse!
And thanks for including my nougat in the roundup 🙂 some wonderful recipes there!
Camilla
06/11/2015 at 5:31 pm (UTC 1) Link to this comment
Thanks Emma. To tempur chocolate you need pounds of it so this is the next best thing. Your nougat looked fab, something I’ve never made and as it’s my mum’s favourite I really should!
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