A Mid Winter Indulgence - Rich Dark Chocolate Truffles

I'm told some people don't like chocolate, sadly I'm not one of them.  Chocolate is the king or queen of comfort foods. 

It stirs deep emotions and has inspired many stories.  In the movie “Chocolat” the mystical heroine, Juliette Binoche, uses chocolate alchemy in her truffles to stir the long dormant desires of neglectful husbands and gently coaxes shy and reticent lovers together.  I can’t promise these truffles will do the same but I can promise they'll melt in your mouth.  These were surprisingly easy to make and the whole process was quite therapeutic - I recommend it.

Chocolate Truffles.

3 cups chocolate, 70% cocoa solids

1, 14oz can sweetened condensed milk

1 very generous teaspoon vanilla extract

For the coating.

Dark cocoa powder

A pinch of cinnamon

A tiny pinch of cayenne (optional)

Or

Confectioner’s sugar

In a double boiler heat the chocolate, sweetened condensed milk and vanilla until melted. 

Place in the fridge for 2 hours to set up.

Place the cocoa powder and spices if using, on one plate and the confectioner’s sugar on another.

Take approximately 1 generous teaspoonful of the truffle mixture and roll into a small ball.

Then roll the truffle in either the cocoa mixture or the confectioner’s sugar and place on a sheet pan lined with parchment paper. 

Leave to set, approx 10 minutes.