Juicy Orange Chocolate Christmas Truffles Recipe
These juicy orange chocolate Christmas truffles blend the rich intensity of dark chocolate with a refreshing burst of orange zest. Perfectly coated in chocolate sprinkles, these festive treats offer a smooth, creamy texture and a delightful citrus twist, making them an ideal homemade gift or a luxurious addition to your holiday dessert table.
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 10 minutes
- Total Time: 2 hours 55 minutes
- Yield: Approximately 20-24 truffles 1x
- Category: Dessert, Confectionery
- Method: No bake, chilling and rolling
- Cuisine: Christmas, Western
- Diet: Vegetarian
Ingredients
Scale
Chocolate Mixture
- 90 ml (around 1/3 cup plus 2 teaspoons) heavy cream
- 200 g (7 oz) dark cooking chocolate (40% cocoa), finely chopped
- 1 teaspoon finely grated orange peel
Coating
- 1/3 cup chocolate sprinkles
Instructions
- Prepare the Equipment and Ingredients: Line a small, flat dish (ideally a 13 x 18 cm or 7 x 5 inch Pyrex dish) with non-stick baking paper. Put the chocolate sprinkles in a small bowl for coating later. Also, line a baking tray with non-stick baking paper and set it aside for the finished truffles.
- Heat the Cream and Melt the Chocolate: Combine the heavy cream and orange zest in a small saucepan. Heat gently over low heat until the cream nearly reaches boiling. Turn off the heat, then add the finely chopped dark chocolate. Stir gently until the chocolate completely melts and the mixture becomes smooth and glossy.
- Chill the Chocolate Mixture: Pour the chocolate mixture into the prepared dish, smoothing the top evenly. Place it in the refrigerator and chill for approximately 2 hours until firm enough to scoop and shape.
- Shape the Chocolate Balls: Use a small ice cream scoop or teaspoon to scoop about 3 level teaspoons of the chilled mixture and roll it between your palms into compact balls. If the mixture is too hard to roll, let it sit at room temperature for 5-10 minutes. Keep your hands cool by holding an ice pack or frozen peas nearby and dry your hands with paper towels as needed to assist rolling.
- Coat in Chocolate Sprinkles: Roll each chocolate ball in the bowl of chocolate sprinkles, turning the bowl to ensure even coverage. Place the coated balls on the lined baking tray.
- Refrigerate and Store the Truffles: Chill the coated truffles in the refrigerator for at least 30 minutes until firm. Store in an airtight container in the fridge for up to one week. If stacking, separate layers with non-stick baking paper to prevent sticking.
Notes
- Use good quality dark chocolate with at least 40% cocoa for a rich flavor.
- Freshly grated orange peel provides the best bright citrus flavor.
- Keep hands cool and dry while rolling the truffles to prevent melting and sticking.
- For a stronger orange flavor, zest can be increased to 1.5 teaspoons.
- These truffles can also be rolled in cocoa powder or chopped nuts for variation.
- Store truffles in airtight containers in the refrigerator to maintain freshness and texture.
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 truffle (approx. 15 g)
- Calories: 85 kcal
- Sugar: 5 g
- Sodium: 5 mg
- Fat: 6.5 g
- Saturated Fat: 4 g
- Unsaturated Fat: 2.5 g
- Trans Fat: 0 g
- Carbohydrates: 7 g
- Fiber: 1 g
- Protein: 1 g
- Cholesterol: 15 mg
Keywords: orange chocolate truffles, Christmas truffles, homemade chocolates, festive desserts, no bake truffles, chocolate orange treats
