Chocolate Truffles

Serves
Makes 30 to 40 truffles
Total Time
50 Minutes Plus chilling time
Ingredients
50g of caster sugar
50g of blanched hazelnuts
200ml of double cream
1 tbsp of black treacle
20g of unsalted butter, diced
150g of milk chocolate, finely chopped
150g of dark chocolate (70%), finely chopped
1 tsp of vanilla extract or bean paste
Pinch of salt
For the topping
150g of dark chocolate, chopped
30g of unsalted butter, diced
Cooks’ Ingredients Gold Lustre Spray, optional
Method
Step 1

Start by making the praline. Cover a baking tray, and line the base and sides of a 20cm square tin with baking parchment. Tip the sugar into a small nonstick frying pan and warm over a low heat. Do not stir, but swirl the pan until all of the sugar has melted and turns amber. Add the hazelnuts and mix to coat. Cook for a further minute, then tip onto the lined baking tray. Leave until completely cold.

Step 2

Do not wash the caramel pan but pour in the cream, treacle and butter, and warm over a low heat to melt the butter. Meanwhile, tip the finely chopped milk and dark chocolate into a bowl. When the cream comes to the boil, add the vanilla and a pinch of salt and pour the hot cream over the chocolate. Leave for one minute before stirring to combine – only stir the mixture in one direction as this helps prevent it splitting.

Step 3

Pour the chocolate ganache into the prepared tin and spread level. Break the cold praline into pieces and whizz in a food processor until finely chopped. Spread the praline over the top of the ganache in an even layer and press down with the back of a spoon. Place in the fridge.

Step 4

To make the topping, melt the chocolate and butter in a heatproof bowl over a pan of barely simmering water, stir until smooth, then remove from the heat and leave to cool for 2 to 3 minutes. Pour the melted chocolate over the praline topped ganache, spread level and return to the fridge until firm.

Step 5

Spray the top with gold lustre if using, then using a sharp, hot knife (dip it in boiling water, then dry on a clean tea towel) cut into 2 to 3cm squares, trimming the edges to neaten first, if needed. Pack the truffles in pretty boxes between layers of waxed or greaseproof paper and store in the fridge until ready to gift or serve.

Recipe courtesy of Waitrose & Partners

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