My Chocolate Orange Truffles are rich and creamy, smooth and decadent, and are an ideal after-dinner confection. They contain just 4 ingredients that combine to produce this luxurious sweet treat. Serve a platter of these delicious Chocolate Truffles to your guests and watch as they disappear!
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Why we love this recipe:
This simple recipe will show you how easy it is to make your own Chocolate Truffles. As a base, all you require is cream and chocolate plus a little time. No skill is required; you just need to be able to melt chocolate, and if you have not previously done that, we will talk you through the process.
We love that:
- These Chocolate Orange Truffles are the perfect edible gift.
- Making this luxurious confectionery is easy to do at home.
- The truffle base contains just 3 ingredients.
- You don’t need any special equipment. It is so simple!
- They are much cheaper than a store-bought box of chocolates
- The result is impressive; you will be delighted with your handiwork.
Ingredients in this recipe:
Please see the recipe card further along in the post for exact quantities of ingredients and the full method.
Thickened cream – also known as whipping cream or heavy cream, it contains 35% milk fat.
Dark cooking chocolate – the one we use contains 40% cocoa solids. You could use one with higher percentage cocoa solids, but the bitterness will increase.
Orange zest – adds great flavour. Avoid the bitter white pith.
Chocolate sprinkles – for coating the Truffles.
Step by step instructions:
To begin, line a small, flat dish with non-stick baking paper. I used a Pyrex, 13 x 18 cm (7 x 5 inches.)
Line a baking tray with non-stick baking paper and set it aside.
Add the chocolate sprinkles to a small bowl and set aside.
- Finely chop the chocolate.
- Add the cream and orange zest to a small saucepan. Over low heat, heat the cream until just below boiling point.
- Remove the saucepan from the heat and add the finely chopped chocolate.
- Stir until the chocolate has melted and the mixture is smooth.
- Pour the mixture into the prepared dish.
- Transfer to the fridge to chill, about 2 hours, or until it is firm enough to roll into balls. With a small ice cream scoop, or a teaspoon, roll about 3 level teaspoons of mixture into small balls. If the chocolate is too to firm to roll, set it aside for 5-10 minutes.
- Gently press on the mixture with the palms of your hands as you are rolling to make the balls compact.
- Toss each ball in the bowl of chocolate sprinkles so they are evenly coated. Place on the prepared tray and refrigerate for at least 30 minutes, or until firm.
Tips for success and FAQs:
For the best result, when a recipe is as simple as these 4 Ingredient Chocolate Orange Truffles, use good quality ingredients. Do not use low-fat cream – this is a luxurious treat and not the time to try and cut the fat content. As well, choose good quality chocolate.
To cool the ganache quickly, I recommend that you put it in a shallow dish. It’s fine if you don’t have one that’s appropriate, it will just take a little longer to cool in a bowl.
Keep them in an airtight container in the fridge for up to a week. Ideally, keep them in one layer but if your container can’t hold them that way, separate the layers with non-stick baking paper.
As they are made with cream, they must be stored in the fridge. Remove them from the fridge about 10 minutes before serving to allow them to soften a little.
They are often rolled in cocoa and resemble the edible fungi which grow underground.
Chop it finely as it will melt quicker and more evenly this way.
After taking it from the fridge, if it is too hard to roll, leave it at room temperature for a little longer. If it gets too soft as you are rolling the balls, return it to the fridge for a short time.
More delicious recipes for you to try:
If you’re like us, and cannot resist a delicious chocolate treat or are looking for some more edible gift ideas, you’ll love some of these other favourite recipes:
- Chilli Chocolate Clusters
- Candy Cane Chocolate Bark
- Cranberry Pistachio Bark
- Decadent Chocolate Brownies
- Easy Coffee Truffles
- Chocolate Tiffin
- Hedgehog Slice
- Or check out our complete collection of chocolate recipes here.
You can easily customise the truffles to make a variety. Add vanilla or add some liqueur. Just reduce the cream by the amount that you use. If you like some spice, add chilli powder to the ganache. Toss them in dark, milk or white melted chocolate. Roll them in grated chocolate, crushed nuts, cocoa, coconut or icing/confectioners’ sugar. For an attractive presentation, put some in little foil or paper cases.
My Chocolate Orange Truffles are perfect to serve with an after-dinner coffee or make ideal edible gifts. They are proof that simple recipes can be special.
Be sure to let me know in the comments when you have given them a try!
Alex xx
Chocolate Orange Truffles
Ingredients
- 90 ml (1/3 cup + 2 tsp) thickened/whipping cream See Note 1
- 200 g (7 oz) dark cooking chocolate (40 % cocoa solids) – finely chopped See Note 2
- 1 tsp orange zest – finely grated
Coating:
- 1/3 cup chocolate sprinkles
Recipe Measurements:
For accuracy, we recommend weighing your ingredients. This will produce the best results.
Instructions
- Line a small, flat dish with non-stick baking paper. I used a Pyrex, 13 x 18 cm (7 x 5 inches). (See Note 3.)Add the chocolate sprinkles to a small bowl and set aside.Line a baking tray with non-stick baking paper and set it aside.
- Add the cream and orange zest to a small saucepan. Over low heat, heat the cream until just below boiling point.
- Turn off the heat and add the chocolate. Stir until the chocolate has melted and the mixture is smooth.
- Pour the mixture into the prepared dish. Transfer to the fridge to chill, about 2 hours, or until it is firm enough to roll into balls.
- Working with a small ice cream scoop, or a teaspoon, scoop about 3 level teaspoons of the mixture and roll it into small balls.If the chocolate is too firm to roll, set it aside for 5-10 minutes.Press on the mixture as you are rolling to make it compact.
- While rolling the balls, it is helpful to keep an ice pack beside you and use it to keep your hands cool. Alternatively, you could use a pack of frozen peas. Keep a few sheets of paper towel nearby to dry your hands.
- Toss each chocolate ball in the chocolate sprinkles and move the bowl around so they are evenly coated.
- Place each ball on the prepared tray and refrigerate for at least 30 minutes, or until firm.
- Store in the refrigerator in an airtight container for up to one week. If storing the truffles in layers, separate them with non-stick baking paper.
Notes
- For a creamy texture and best flavour, use full-fat cream. Thickened/whipping cream should have a minimum 35% fat content.
- I use dark chocolate that contains 40% cocoa solids. You could use one with higher percentage cocoa solids, but the bitterness will increase.
- To make it easier to line the dish, I firmly scrunch the baking paper before placing it in the Pyrex. You can, if you wish, use a bowl, it will just take a little longer to chill.
- Please note, the nutritional information is based on one Chocolate Orange Truffle. The nutritional information is an estimate only.
Nutrition
Nutritional Information:
Please note, the nutritional information is an estimate only, and is derived from online calculators. For accurate results, we recommend calculating the nutritional information based on the ingredients you use.
These truffles are delicious. Smooth, creamy.. taste amazing. I am making more for work gifts next week!
Hi Addie, I am so pleased that you enjoyed the Chocolate Orange Truffles and will be making more as gifts. Thank you so much for the feedback. 🙂
So good!!
Hi Kayla, I am so pleased that you enjoy the Chocolate Orange Truffles, thank you for letting me know. 🙂
So good. I rolled them in cocoa powder, and we devoured them quickly. Will try the Coffee truffles next for Christmas.
Hi Maggie, I am so pleased that you enjoyed the Chocolate Orange Truffles – it’s a great idea to roll them in cocoa powder. I look forward to hearing how you enjoy the Coffee Truffles. 🙂
chocolate and orange – a perfect combination.
Hi Sherry, it really is a classic combination – some flavours were meant to be together. 🙂
Oh these are gorgeous! I love the choc orange flavour combination. Just like a Jaffa only so much more decadent xx
Thank you for sharing
Hi Julie, I am so pleased that you enjoy the Chocolate Orange Truffles, thank you for letting me know. 🙂