These homemade Dark Chocolate Truffles are the perfect treat for any occasion. They are rich and creamy while being surprisingly simple to make. Truffles make great gifts, an indulgent treat, or an easy dessert that will impress your guests.

Do You Want to Save This Recipe?
Enter your email & I'll send it to your inbox. Plus, get great new recipes from me every week!
By submitting this form, you consent to receive emails from A Sweet Thyme
This recipe uses high-quality dark chocolate, which creates a smooth and velvety ganache on the interior. With just two ingredients you can create an elegant truffle that tastes like it came from a gourmet chocolate shop. They are even gluten-free!
Customize these truffles with extracts for the interior ganache or coat them in toppings of your choosing. They make an ideal dessert for a holiday like Valentines Day, a gift for friends, or a delicious treat for an afternoon snack. Once you make these you won't go back to a store-bought chocolate!
Jump to:
This dish was inspired by my chocolate bark recipes like the Dark Chocolate Bark With Pistachios, Dark Chocolate Bark With Sea Salt, or the Dark Chocolate Bark With Almonds.
Why You Will Love This Recipe
- Easy Recipe - This is a simple recipe with just two ingredients that is almost foolproof.
- Simple Treat - This recipe delivers a rich, indulgent treat with minimal effort.
- Highly Versatile - There are a lot of flavor combinations and variations that you can use if you desire.
Ingredients
You will need the following ingredients to make these Cocoa Truffles:
Do You Want to Save This Recipe?
Enter your email & I'll send it to your inbox. Plus, get great new recipes from me every week!
By submitting this form, you consent to receive emails from A Sweet Thyme
Additions & Substitutions
Additions:
- Spiced - Add cinnamon, nutmeg, cayenne, or cardamom for warmth.
- Citrus - Incorporate orange, lemon zest, or lime zest into the ganache.
- Boozy - Mix in rum, bourbon, amaretto, or Baileys!
- Coffee - Add espresso powder or coffee liqueur for richness in the ganache.
- Nutty - Use an almond or hazelnut extract in the chocolate.
- Mint - Mix a small amount of peppermint extract or coat the top with crushed candy canes.
- Toppings - Crushed candy canes, nuts, cocoa powder, crushed freeze-dried fruit, cayenne pepper, matcha powder or even crushed pretzels.
Substitutions
- Chocolate - You can substitute milk chocolate or white chocolate easily in this recipe. I have even used a flavor-infused chocolate bar like a raspberry chocolate!
- Cream - You can substitute a plant-based cream for this recipe. I have used Silk Heavy Cream when needed.
How To Make Dark Chocolate Truffles: Step-By-Step
Here are some quick visual instructions. Remember that full instructions with the exact ingredients are in the printable recipe card:
Step 1: Chop the chocolate into small pieces. Place into a bowl.
Step 2: Warm the cream over low heat until just bubbling. Pour the cream over the chocolate.
Step 3: Stir until combined. Refrigerate at least two hours. Take the bowl out of the refrigerator.
Step 4: Scoop a tablespoon size into your palm. Roll the chocolate around until it is a ball. Place the ball into your toppings, if desired; and coat the ball.
Troubleshooting Truffles
- Dark Chocolate Ganache Won’t Set Properly - This usually means that you used too much cream so the ganache is runny or you haven't let the ganache set all the way. Make sure the ganache stays in the refrigerator for at least two hours.
- Ganache is Too Hard - The ratio of cream to chocolate was off. Add more warm cream if the ganache hasn't set. If it's hard coming out of the refrigerator, then let it sit on the countertop until it is easy to scoop.
- Chocolate Won’t Melt Smoothly - If the chocolate becomes grainy it means that the chocolate has seized. Typically seizing is because the chocolate has come into contact with water or steam. While you will need to start over, make sure that the bowl you are using is completely dry.
- Truffles Melt in Hands During Rolling - You can chill the ganache again, wear gloves or dust your hands with cocoa powder.
- Coatings Don’t Stick Properly - The ganache has dried out a bit. You need to roll the ganache when it is still wet and immediately refrigerate them.
Confidence Tip
If your chocolate ganache is hard when you remove it from the refrigerator, let it sit on the countertop for 5-10 minutes until it is easy to scoop.
Storage And Reheating
- Store these dark chocolate truffles in an airtight container, and keep them refrigerated. They will last 1-2 weeks.
Looking for more delicious chocolate desserts? Try the Peanut Butter Balls With Rice Krispies or the Haystacks Candy (GF)!
Frequently Asked Questions
Couverture. A top-quality semisweet or bittersweet chocolates are a good substitute for couverture. Chocolate comes in solid bars or different size chips and discs. If you're using chocolate bars, chop them into uniform pieces so they'll melt evenly. I like using Valhrona, Callebaut, or Guitard.
Ganache is made of a mixture of cream and melted chocolate. The consistency will depend on the proportion of cream to chocolate. Truffles are made using ganache (roughly equal parts cream and chocolate), which are then made into balls and covered in chocolate or other toppings.
Other Delicious Chocolate Desserts
Homemade Dark Chocolate Truffles
Do You Want to Save This Recipe?
Enter your email & I'll send it to your inbox. Plus, get great new recipes from me every week!
By submitting this form, you consent to receive emails from A Sweet Thyme
Ingredients
- 12 oz dark chocolate if using a bar, chop it into small pieces
- ¾ cup heavy cream
Instructions
- Chop the chocolate into small fine pieces so it will melt quickly.
- Place into a bowl.
- Warm the cream on the stovetop over low heat until it just begins to bubble.
- Pour over the chocolate and stir to combine and melt the chocolate.
- Place into the refrigerator for a minimum of two hours or until firm enough to scoop.
- Scoop out about a tablespoon size and roll into balls with your hands.
- If desired, roll in a topping like cocoa powder, sprinkles, coconut, or crushed nuts.
- Refrigerate in an airtight container until ready to eat. They will last 1-2 weeks in the refrigerator.
Gwen Wolken says
You will love these easy truffles!