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.
Rachel (Two Healthy Plates) says
So next time you make this could you send me maybe ummm… 2 or 10 in the mail? hehe These look delicious =)
bakerbynature says
You got it 😉
Nicole @ The Marvelous Misadventures of a Foodie says
Ashley this is such a fabulous idea!! I love that you infised the cream with the tea – as a huge tea (and chocolate!) lover I can only imagine how fabulous these taste! I think these would be wonderful to give as a hostess gift during the holidays!
Hayley @ The Domestic Rebel says
Um, super yum! Loving these bad boys.
Emma says
Awww, my boyfriend gave me some earl grey truffles for Valentine’s Day this past February. Awwwwwwwwww:) So tasty!
Karen (Back Road Journal) says
I drink Earl Grey tea every morning so I know I will love theses truffles.
Nicole @ Lapetitebaker says
These would be perfect for a holiday party!
Erin | The Law Student's Wife says
I am seriously obsessed with truffles. As in, I do not want to talk about the amount of $$ I can drop at Godiva in a single visit (the free monthly truffle lures me through the door every time! Godiva rewards–check it out!)
Anyway, I recently visited a gourmet truffle shop in the area and selected the Earl Grey dark chocolate truffle. It was outstanding, and I love the idea of being able to recreate it at home. Thanks for sharing this awesome recipe!
amy @ fearless homemaker says
I loooove earl grey tea AND i love truffles, so these sound like perfection to me. YUM!
Valerie says
I think you and I would have been fast friends as children…my French godmother spoiled me with dark chocolate hot cocoa (from scratch). I refused Swiss Miss packets and the one with the bunny on the box.
These truffles are exquisite!
I need to stop being such a hermit blogger and get out more. Your site is fabulous!
bakerbynature says
Thank you so much, Valerie! It’s so nice to meet you!
Averie @ Averie Cooks says
Now THESE are fabulous looking! Your basic ratios of cream + chocolate is what I do to make ganache but I need to pour it into a scoop-able container. Loving this one, Ashley! The Earl Gray…mmm!