Holiday Truffles with a Boozy Twist

Looking for a festive and delicious treat to make for your holiday party? Look no further than these Holiday Truffles with a Boozy Twist!

With a few simple tweaks, plus a secret tip from a chef and restaurant owner, you can turn this classic chocolate dessert into something extra special that will wow your guests at your next holiday party.

What Makes these So Great

• With brightly colored holiday sprinkles, these truffles look gorgeous on your dessert table.
• They taste divine, with a combination of rich dark chocolate and just a touch of citrus.
• Thanks to this special technique, the inside is silky smooth.
• They can be made a couple days in advance, making them the perfect holiday gift or party treat.

How to Make Easy Holiday Truffles (Step-by-Step Directions)

To make things even easier for you, I created a simple photo guide below. For all measurements and a more detailed guide, check out the recipe card at the bottom of this page.

Step 1 – Place chocolate chips in the bowl of a stand mixer, fitted with the whisk attachment. Set aside

Step 2 – In a small saucepan, combine heavy cream and butter. Heat over medium heat, stirring frequently until butter melts and the mixture just starts to boil.

Step 3 – Immediately pour over chocolate and let sit for 2 minutes until the chocolate has softened. 

Step 4 – Using the stand mixer fitted with a balloon whisk, whisk the chocolate on low until it starts to melt. Gradually increase the speed as the chocolate melts.

Step 5 – When the chocolate is completely melted and fluffy, add citrus zest (if using) and liquor of your choice. 

Step 6 – Place the chocolate mixture in a refrigerator and chill until firm, approximately 3 hours or overnight.

Step 7 – Using a small scoop, scoop out chocolate mixture and roll into balls. 

Step 8 – Immediately roll truffles in the topping of your choice.

Step 9 – Place on a parchment lined baking sheet and refrigerate for 5-10 minutes to firm back up.

Essential Tips:

Don’t skip these tips – read them before baking to avoid any potential mistakes.

• Don’t use cheap chocolate chips. When the chocolate is the star, you want to use the highest quality ingredient you can find.
• Although sprinkles are optional, they definitely add a fun and easy twist to your truffles.
• Hands down the best zester I’ve ever used is a microplane. It creates the perfect tiny pieces that aren’t too big for truffles. (Seriously, no one wants truffles that are ruined with giant chunks of zest.)
• Rolling truffles is messy business. Make sure you have an apron on, and plenty of damp paper towels nearby.

FAQs:

How many does this recipe make?

The number of truffles you end up with will vary depending on the size of each truffle.

When we used a melon baller, we end up with about 48 truffles. But if you use a cookie scoop, then you might end up with fewer truffles.

Why do you use a mixer for the holiday truffles?

Several years ago, I made some homemade truffles that just didn’t turn out quite right. Not long after that, my stepmother (who used to be a caterer) introduced me to a chef that makes incredibly silky and delicious chocolate truffles.

He was kind enough to share his secret with me: Using a stand mixer to whip the ganache.

You don’t want to whip it enough to create a ganache frosting, but whipping up the cream and chocolate in the mixer adds air to the ganache, making it melt-in-your-mouth smooth and light.

Want to avoid spending hours on end preparing food for your party? Click here to download 10 Fast and Easy Party Recipes that don’t take more than 20 minutes of your time to prepare.

Can I use a hand mixer instead of a stand mixer?

I prefer to use a stand mixer because it has a deep bowl and I can step away from the hot liquid as it mixes.

You may be able to use a hand mixer, but please be extremely cautious as the hot liquid may splash.

Do these have a strong liquor flavor?

No, the quantity of alcohol is kept to a minimum so it only adds a touch of flavor. That said, when you open up a container of the Boozy Holiday Truffles, you can definitely smell the alcohol.

Which liquor goes best with truffles?

If you want minimal flavor, you can use a clear liquor like vodka. But I recommend using something with a little bit of flavor, such as:

• Frangelico
• Cointreau
• Grand Marnier
• Bailey’s Irish Cream
• Citrus or holiday flavored vodka

Do I have to use liquor in the truffles?

Nope. Not at all! You could simply make regular truffles and coat them with sprinkles. That way everyone can enjoy them.

Giving your truffles away as gifts?

Don’t forget to add a cute printable tag to your holiday tin so everyone will know that you made these amazing treats.

Storage Tips:

While these are best eaten in the first day or two, you can store your holiday truffles in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 2 weeks.

When you’re ready to enjoy a truffle, simply remove it from the fridge and let it come to room temperature. The flavor and texture is best when they’re not cold.

If you liked my holiday truffles, you’re going to love these candied cranberries, and Ritz cracker toffee. Or you can check out my other Christmas desserts recipes here.

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This post was originally published on December 14, 2015. It has been updated with step-by-step photos, FAQs and additional details.