Scotch Truffles
The recipe will work well with other liquors or liqueurs, so feel free to experiment!
If you want a stronger flavour, use the full amount of Scotch in the recipe below, but be aware that this will also made a softer truffle. Cut the cream by a tablespoon if you want a firmer truffle. If you prefer to use milk chocolate – which is also delicious with this recipe – reduce the cream by a third.
Makes about 14 1-inch truffles
Ingredients
- 7 oz. (200g) semisweet chocolate (65%), chopped fine
- 1/3 cup (75ml) whipping cream (or 1 tbsp. and 2 tsps. if using milk chocolate)
- 1-2 tbsps. Scotch
- About 1/2 cup (125g) finely grated chocolate for rolling the truffles and Natural cocoa powder or Dutched cocoa powder for dusting hands
What's the difference between Natural and Dutched cocoa powder?
Directions
1. Place finely chopped chocolate into a high-sided bowl or the bowl of a blender. Place cream in a saucepan over medium heat until hot but not simmering; remove the pan from the heat.
2. Pour hot cream over the chocolate and mix thoroughly with a blender or a hand-held immersion blender until you achieve a smooth consistency. You can also stir by hand with a sturdy whisk, spatula or wooden spoon.
3. Once chocolate is thoroughly melted, add Scotch, one tablespoon at a time, and stir well to blend. Let mixture stand at room temperature for at least one hour and up to two hours until ganache is firm.
4. Dust hands with cocoa. Scrape spoon or melon-ball cutter across surface of mixture; quickly press with fingertips into 1-inch (2.5cm) balls. Drop the balls into the grated chocolate and roll until well coated. Place on Silpat, wax paper or parchment paper to set for several hours.
5. Store truffles in the refrigerator in an air-tight plastic container or bag for 1 week or freeze, triple wrapped, in freezer bags for 1-2 months.
Recipe courtesy of Pam Williams and Ecole Chocolat.