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Festive Orange Chocolate Christmas Truffles

Festive Orange Chocolate Christmas Truffles
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Festive Orange Chocolate Christmas Truffles combine rich, velvety dark chocolate with bright fresh orange zest to create a zesty, luscious holiday treat. These no-bake truffles offer bold seasonal flavors, are made from simple pantry ingredients, and can be customized with various coatings and flavor twists. Perfect for gifting or indulging during cozy holiday moments, they deliver a gourmet taste experience with minimal effort.

Ingredients

Scale

Main Ingredients

  • 200g high-quality dark chocolate (at least 60% cocoa), chopped finely
  • 100ml heavy cream
  • 30g unsalted butter
  • 1 tablespoon fresh orange zest (finely grated)
  • 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
  • Pinch of sea salt (optional)

Coating Options

  • Cocoa powder
  • Finely chopped nuts (such as pistachios or toasted hazelnuts)
  • Crushed peppermint

Variations (Optional)

  • For vegan version: use coconut cream instead of heavy cream and dairy-free dark chocolate
  • Add pinch of cinnamon or chili powder for a spicy twist
  • Add splash of Grand Marnier or Cointreau for an orange liqueur boost
  • Use white chocolate paired with orange zest for a creamy alternative

Instructions

  1. Prepare the Ganache: Chop the dark chocolate finely and place it in a heatproof bowl. Heat the heavy cream and butter together in a small saucepan over medium heat until just simmering, then pour the hot mixture over the chocolate. Let it sit for a few minutes to soften, then stir gently until smooth and glossy.
  2. Add Flavorings: Stir in the fresh orange zest and vanilla extract into the warm ganache. Add a pinch of sea salt if desired to enhance the flavors.
  3. Chill the Mixture: Cover the bowl with cling film and refrigerate the ganache for at least 2 hours, or until firm enough to shape into balls.
  4. Shape the Truffles: Using a small cookie scoop or spoon, portion out the ganache and quickly roll each portion between your palms to form smooth, round truffles. Work swiftly to prevent the ganache from softening too much from your hands.
  5. Coat the Truffles: Roll each truffle in cocoa powder, chopped nuts, or crushed peppermint to coat evenly. Place them on a parchment-lined tray and refrigerate again for 30 minutes to set the coatings.

Notes

  • Use room-temperature ingredients to ensure a smoother ganache and easier mixing.
  • Chill ganache thoroughly to make shaping easier and prevent melting.
  • Grate orange zest finely to avoid bitterness and maintain smooth texture.
  • Work quickly when shaping truffles to avoid melting from warm hands.
  • Experiment with mixtures of coatings to add varied textures and visual appeal.

Nutrition

Keywords: orange chocolate truffles, holiday dessert, no-bake truffles, festive sweets, Christmas treats, chocolate orange, easy holiday recipe

Find it online: https://mealsbysarah.com/festive-orange-chocolate-christmas-truffles/