When I was 9, I won a ridiculous amount of gourmet chocolate from some supermarket sweepstakes I entered myself into while my mom was shopping, and man, was it life changing. My poor mama, while all the other kids begged for butterfinger bb’s and war heads, she had to get the little jerk crying for dark chocolate truffles… or ooohhh, maybe some hazelnut ones this time?
I did eventually get over begging my dear mother for truffles… my boyfriend picked up where she left off (thanks, babe!). But honestly, my favorite way to get my truffle fix is just to make them myself! They’re totally fun and easy to make at home.
And I promise, you’ll feel slightly magical turning your cream and chocolate into dark, round, utterly gorgeous truffles in just a few hours.
This recipe is pretty classic, with one small twist: I infused the cream with earl grey tea bags to lend a light and lovely tea taste to the finished product. A bakery in my neighborhood does this to their truffles, and I go absolutely gaga for them, so I decided to finally try it at home, and it tasted fantastic!
The finished product can be rolled in cocoa powder like I did, or if you’re feeling more ambitious, dip them in tempered chocolate for a super shiny shell – both ways feel fancy and taste great.
Oh, and these make fabulous gifts… because we’re totally about to enter the holiday season!
Earl Grey Truffles – Makes about 36 small truffles
1 cup heavy cream
8 ounces dark chocolate, chopped finely
2 earl grey tea bags
1 teaspoon vanilla extract
cocoa powder for rolling (I used about 1/2 cup)
Place your finely chopped chocolate in a large bowl, set aside. Heat cream in a small sauce pan until it begins to boil, add your tea bags to the pot, turn heat off, and cover with a lid for 10 minutes. Once tea bags have steeped, remove the tea bags, bring cream to boil again, and then immediately stir cream into the chopped chocolate, whisking until completely smooth. Whisk in vanilla extract, then cover and refrigerate for at least 2 hours. Once the mixture is firm enough to scoop, you can scoop them up and roll small balls (I used a 2 teaspoon measuring spoon) before rolling them in the cocoa powder and placing them on a parchment paper lined sheet. Keep chilled until serving.
Ashley @ Wishes and Dishes says
I love the story! These sound so good and what a great and different idea!
Jackie @ Domestic Fits says
Great spin on truffles! They look beautiful.
I was the Supermarket Coloring Contest queen as a kid, I think I won 7 of them, and they always came with a very strange prize. Because ALL kids want a 22 lb turkey and years supply of trash bags.
Kayle (The Cooking Actress) says
Mmmmm omigoodness these look melt in your mouth delectable!
sally @ sallys baking addiction says
Ashley, i love these! they look and sound so fancy and sophisticated… and yet, so freaking easy to make. how lovely! you are so creative girl – i am thriving off your creativity lately!!
Abby@ The Frosted Vegan says
Ohh these look wonderful! I love giving these kind of things as gifts, who doesn’t like chocolate?!
Rachel Cooks says
These look fantastic! Love the story of your childhood–so fun!
Kristi @ My San Francisco Kitchen says
Haha this cracked me up, something I would do when I was little 🙂 I love Earl Grey, these look great!!
Gerry @ Foodness Gracious says
Infusing cream is an awesome way to transfer flavor. Sometimes I’ll make caramels and infuse the cream with anything from ginger to lemongrass. Your truffles look really good!!
Cass @foodmyfriend says
These look incredible!! Tylers a chef and I can’t get him to cook for me unless I am critically ill!. How did you get yours to do it? I feel like you should do a giveaway.. of these truffles.. and I could bribe you to let me win. I’ll pay for postage!
Cassie | Bake Your Day says
Droooooling, Ashley! I was drinking some earl grey this morning and brainstorming what I could bake with it. I love these!!