Serendipitous Chocolate Truffles

Chocolate Peppermint Truffles Dipped in White Chocolate

Why serendipitous? Well, I messed up my perfectly delicious Kafé Zolo Chocolate Truffle recipe and wound up with something even better! Introducing, by way of mishap in the kitchen: Chocolate Peppermint Truffles!

The original Chocolate Truffle recipe calls for rum and vanilla extracts but I mistakenly grabbed the bottle of peppermint extract and — voilà — a new holiday favorite was born.

For the Truffles:

8 ounces (225 g) Philadelphia Cream Cheese

1 cup (2 1/2 dl) powdered sugar

2 cups (5 dl) dark chocolate chips (70-85% cocoa)

1 teaspoon vanilla extract

1 teaspoon peppermint extract

For the White Chocolate Coating:

12 ounces (350 g) white chocolate or white chocolate candy coating

For the Topping:

20 Peppermint Candy Canes (crushed)

Get ready to roll some chocolate truffles

Using an electric beater or standing mixer, whip the cream cheese and powdered sugar until fluffy. Add the extracts and mix well.

Melt the dark chocolate in a microwave in 30 second intervals —up to two minutes, depending on your microwave — stirring each time until chocolate is melted. Let cool for a few minutes and then add to the cream cheese mixture. Whip until the chocolate is completely integrated in the cream cheese mixture.

Spread in a rectangular Pyrex baking dish (15 x 10"/38 x 25 cm) and chill for one hour. 

Using a large spoon, roll the chocolate into small balls and place on a baking sheet lined with parchment paper. *

If you would like to skip the white chocolate coating — which is indeed a bit more labor intensive — place the small balls (truffles) in mini candy cups and top with crushed candy canes

Chocolate Peppermint Truffles Au Naturel

If however you are a food masochist, as am I — read on . . .

Crushed Candy Cane Topping

Melt the white chocolate in a microwave in 30 second intervals — up to two minutes, depending on your microwave — stirring each time until chocolate is completely melted.

Using a large spoon and fork dip the chilled truffles, one at a time, in the melted white chocolate mixture and carefully place in mini candy cups. Top with crushed candy canes.

Happy Chocolate Peppermint Truffle Holidays!