Dark Chocolate Truffles

When I started this blog two years ago I had no clue about all the swag that was out there to be won.   I've entered my fair share of blog giveaways, especially when its cookware or mixers, but I never actually won anything....until now!

How ecstatic was I when I received an email from Rosie of Sweetapolita last month telling me that I was one of the winners of her chocolate giveaway.   My prize?  Two boxes of dark chocolate couverture (minimum 70% cacao) from Cacao Barry.

My only dilemma now was what to make.  Perhaps chocolate chip cookies or brownies?  With this high quality chocolate I didn't want to go the obvious route.   It just so happened that the Jan/Feb 2012 issue of Cook's Illustrated featured chocolate truffles....uh, bingo! 

If there was anything that would really showcase the dark chocolate it had to be the truffles.  I wanted a bit of variety so I coated some in pistachios, homemade cashew toffee bits and powdered sugar along with the traditional cocoa powder.  These are going to be the perfect holiday gift for the chocoholics I know.

Chocolate Truffles (slightly adapted from Cook's Illustrated)

Ganache

12 ounces bittersweet chocolate, roughly chopped

1/2 cup heavy cream

2 tablespoons light corn syrup

1/2 teaspoon vanilla extract

1/4 teaspoon table salt

2 tablespoons unsalted butter, cut in to small pieces and softened

Coating

1/2 cup Dutch-processed cocoa

1/4 cup powdered sugar

Optional coatings **

1/2 cup roasted pistachios, chopped super fine

1/2 cup powdered sugar

1/2 cup crushed toffee bits (I used homemade toffee but you can use Heath bars)

Make a parchment sling for an 8-inch square baking dish by folding 2 long sheets of parchment so that they are as wide as baking dish.  Lay sheets of parchment in pan perpendicular to each other, with extra hanging over edges of pan.  Push parchment into corners and up sides of pan, smoothing flush to pan.

Microwave chocolate in medium bowl at 50% power, stirring occasionally, until mostly melted and few small chocolate pieces remain, 3 to 4 minutes; set aside.  Microwave heavy cream in measuring cup until warm to touch, about 30 seconds.  Stir corn syrup, vanilla extract and salt in to cream and pour mixture over chocolate.  Cover bowl with plastic wrap, set aside for 3 minutes, and then stir with wooden spoon to combine.  Stir in butter, one piece at a time, until fully incorporated.

Using rubber spatula, transfer ganache to prepared pan and set aside at room temperature for 2 hours.  Cover pan and transfer to refrigerate; chill for at least 2 hours.

For the coating, sift cocoa and powdered sugar twice over a large cake pan using a fine mesh strainer and set aside.

Gripping overhanging parchment, lift ganache from pan.  Cut ganache into sixty four 1-inch squares (8 rows by 8 rows).  Dust hands lightly with cocoa mixture to prevent ganache from sticking and roll each square into ball.  Drop balls in cake pan with cocoa mixture and roll evenly to coat.  Lightly shake truffles in hand over pan to remove excess coating.  Transfer coated truffles to airtight container and repeat until all ganache squares are rolled and coated.  Cover container and refrigerate for at least 2 hours or up to 1 week.  Let truffles sit at room temperature for 5-10 minutes before serving.

** If you want to use the optional coatings, after rolling ganache in to balls immediately coat them in the chopped pistachios, toffee bits or powdered sugar.  Don't roll them in cocoa first and then the other coatings!