Rescue Roast® Hot Chocolate Truffles

Rich, smooth, bite-sized chocolate treats that look fancy but are surprisingly easy to make.

There are some recipes that immediately make you feel as though you should be wearing an apron and calling yourself a chocolatier.

These Rescue Roast® Hot Chocolate Truffles are one of them.

They are creamy, deeply chocolatey, wonderfully simple to prepare and perfect for gifts, dessert platters, coffee tables or keeping hidden in the fridge for strictly personal reasons.

Ingredients

• 300 g milk or dark chocolate, finely chopped
• 150 ml fresh cream
• 3 tablespoons Rescue Roast® Hot Chocolate powder
• 20 g butter
• ½ teaspoon vanilla essence
• Pinch of salt

For Rolling and Decorating

• Rescue Roast® Hot Chocolate powder
• Chocolate sprinkles
• Finely chopped nuts
• Desiccated coconut
• Crushed biscuits
• Chocolate shavings
• Melted chocolate for dipping, optional

Method

1. Place the finely chopped chocolate into a heatproof bowl.

2. Add the fresh cream to a small saucepan and heat gently until it is hot and just beginning to steam.

Do not allow the cream to boil vigorously.

3. Pour the hot cream over the chopped chocolate.

4. Leave it untouched for approximately 2 minutes.

This gives the chocolate time to soften before you begin stirring.

5. Stir gently until the mixture becomes completely smooth and glossy.

6. Add the Rescue Roast® Hot Chocolate powder, butter, vanilla essence and salt.

7. Mix until everything is fully combined.

8. Cover the bowl and place it in the refrigerator for approximately 2–3 hours, or until the mixture is firm enough to scoop and roll.

Time to Roll

Once the chocolate mixture has chilled, use a teaspoon or small scoop to remove portions of the mixture.

Roll each portion gently between your hands to form a ball.

If the mixture starts becoming too soft while you work, simply pop it back into the fridge for a few minutes.

Then roll your truffles in your chosen coating.

Try Different Coatings

This is where the recipe becomes particularly fun.

You can make an entire tray of truffles look completely different simply by changing the coating.

• Rescue Roast® Hot Chocolate powder for a classic chocolate finish
• Chocolate sprinkles for extra chocolate
• Chopped hazelnuts for crunch
• Desiccated coconut for a lighter finish
• Crushed biscuits for texture
• Chocolate shavings for something a little fancier

Make several versions and arrange them together on a plate or in a gift box.

Make Chocolate-Dipped Truffles

If you want them to look especially impressive, chill the rolled truffles again for approximately 20 minutes.

Then dip them into melted chocolate and place them on baking paper to set.

Before the chocolate hardens, sprinkle over chopped nuts, chocolate shavings or a little Rescue Roast® Hot Chocolate powder.

Suddenly your homemade truffles look remarkably professional.

Rescue Roast® Mocha Truffles

Naturally, coffee can join the party too.

Add approximately 1 teaspoon of instant espresso powder to the warm cream before pouring it over the chocolate.

The coffee enhances the chocolate flavour and creates a rich mocha truffle that works beautifully alongside a freshly brewed cup of Rescue Roast® coffee.

Chocolate & Peanut Butter Truffles

Add approximately 2 tablespoons of smooth peanut butter to the chocolate mixture while it is still warm.

Chill and roll as normal.

Coat them in chopped peanuts or chocolate sprinkles for a delicious chocolate-and-peanut-butter version.

Add a Surprise Centre

For something a little different, place a tiny filling in the centre of each truffle before rolling.

Try:

• A whole hazelnut
• A small piece of caramel
• A mini marshmallow
• A tiny spoonful of peanut butter

Then roll the chocolate mixture around it and coat as normal.

The surprise only becomes obvious once somebody bites into it.

Perfect for Homemade Gifts

These truffles are particularly good for gifting because they look beautiful without requiring complicated decorating skills.

Place them into small paper cases and arrange them in a box for:

• Birthday gifts
• Christmas treats
• Thank-you gifts
• Teacher gifts
• Dinner-party favours
• Homemade hampers

They also look rather impressive when served alongside coffee after dinner.

How to Store Them

Keep your Rescue Roast® Hot Chocolate Truffles in an airtight container in the refrigerator.

For the best texture, take them out approximately 10 minutes before serving so they can soften slightly.

250 g or 500 g?

Rescue Roast® Hot Chocolate is available in both 250 g and 500 g bags.

The 250 g bag is perfect for enjoying in your favourite mug and trying the occasional Rescue Roast® Academy recipe.

But considering Hot Chocolate has now found its way into fudge, rocky road, cheesecake, cookies, pancakes, milkshakes, banana bread and truffles...

The 500 g bag is becoming increasingly easy to justify.

From Hot Chocolate to Chocolatier

A little chocolate.

A little cream.

A few spoonfuls of Rescue Roast® Hot Chocolate.

And suddenly you have a box of homemade chocolate truffles sitting in the fridge.

We think that is an excellent use of an afternoon.