Skip to content

Chocolate Truffles (3 ingredients!)

Easy chocolate truffles made with only 3 simple ingredients! They are smooth, creamy, rich, and a seriously divine, festive and fancy dessert for any special occasion.

An assortment of truffles.
This post may contain affiliate links. Read disclosure policy.

Why I Love This Recipe

  • Easy, no-bake dessert: Chocolate truffles may seem intimidating to make, but trust me once you get going, you’ll be a pro in no time.
  • Three ingredients: If you’re looking for a easy Valentine’s Day dessert, these 3-ingredient chocolate truffles are for you! They are smooth, creamy, and melt-in-your-mouth.
  • Rich and creamy: They basically taste like chocolate ganache and melt-in-your-mouth with their smooth texture. Roll in cocoa powder, nuts or sprinkles or even dipped in white chocolate!

3 Simple Ingredients for Chocolate Truffles Recipe

This chocolate truffle recipe is so simple to make with only three pantry staples!

A glass bowl of chocolate and heavy cream.

Find the full printable recipe with specific measurements below.

  1. Chocolate: It’s important to use high-quality chocolate (I like to use Ghirardelli). It truly makes all the difference when it comes to flavor and texture. I like to use half semi-sweet and half bittersweet to give the truffles the perfect balance of flavor.
  2. Heavy cream: The sweet flavor and thick consistency help make the truffles extra creamy inside.
  3. Butter: You don’t need a lot, just enough to add a hint of richness to the decadent chocolate truffles.

How to Make Chocolate Truffles

The process of making chocolate truffles in a six step photo collage.
  • Melt. Chop the chocolate and add to a heat-safe bowl. Pour the heavy cream into a separate bowl and then microwave for a little over a minute. Once the cream is hot, pour it over the chocolate (mix in butter and flavoring if desired) and let sit for about 5 minutes. The hot cream will melt the chopped pieces. Then you’ll give it a stir to smooth out the texture. Check out more tips on how to melt chocolate.
  • Chill. Cover the bowl and place it in the fridge to chill for at least 1 to 2 hours. If you’d like to speed up this process, stick the bowl in the freezer in order for the mixture to firm faster.
  • Scoop. Once the truffle mixture is firm, use a small cookie scoop to scoop chocolate out of the bowl and onto a lined baking sheet. Then place in the freezer for about 10 minutes after all of the truffles are scooped.
  • Top. Roll the truffles into any desired toppings (ideas below) or dip them into melted chocolate. Store in the fridge until serving.

Variations

You can keep the truffles as-is, or decorate them with any of the below toppings. I like to do a mix of different decorations for more variety!

  • Sprinkles
  • Chopped nuts
  • Shredded coconut
  • Unsweetened cocoa powder
  • Powdered sugar
  • Mini chocolate chips
  • Dip in melted chocolate
  • Sea salt
A chocolate truffle on top of each other.

Tips for Success

  • Flavoring. For an extra boost of flavor, you can add vanilla, mint, or almond extract. Start with 1/2 teaspoon, then taste and adjust as needed. Add it in at the same time as the heavy cream.
  • Adding toppings. Make sure to freeze the truffles for about 10 minutes prior to adding the toppings. If they aren’t cold, they’ll be too sticky and difficult to work with. If they soften up and get a bit sticky while you’re adding the toppings, place them back in the freezer for a few minutes to harden. Then try again.
  • Dipping in chocolate. If you’re planning on dipping your truffles in a chocolate coating, I’d recommend using either a high-quality chocolate bar or melting wafers. Simply place the truffle on a fork, then pour the chocolate over with a spoon and tap the fork on the edge of the bowl. Then place the truffle on parchment paper and draw a circle around the base with a toothpick. You don’t want to dip them all the way in the chocolate, as it will melt the truffle.
  • Holiday decorations. This is the perfect treat to jazz up for different holidays throughout the year (Valentine’s Day, Easter, Christmas, etc.). Just add different colored holiday sprinkles or melting wafers.
A chocolate truffle covered in chopped nuts.

Recipe FAQs

What makes chocolate a truffle?

The name truffle comes from the resemblance to a mushroom. It is considered a delicacy. The main ingredient is chocolate and usually is melted with heavy cream. Truffles are made out of fine chocolate and cream with a ganache filling.

Why are chocolate truffles expensive?

Homemade chocolate truffles are specialty chocolate and are usually made for holidays or special occasions. They take extra time to make and extra heating instructions to shape and form them perfectly. These truffles don’t last as long compared to other chocolate candy recipes.

What is inside chocolate truffles?

Usually, it is a chocolate ganache inside with a tempered chocolate coating. Specialty chocolate stores use other flavorings or fillings inside the chocolate truffles. The inside can be dark chocolate, a liqueur, peppermint extract, or mint.

Will chocolate truffles melt at room temperature?

If you are enjoying a well-made truffle, it will melt in your mouth as you eat it unless it comes out of the fridge. Let them sit until they are at room temperature if they are coming out of the fridge. This usually takes about an hour. Any longer, they will melt or soften.

How to store chocolate truffles?

It’s important to store the chocolate truffles in the refrigerator until ready to serve. This helps them keep their shape and maintain a thick and creamy texture. Just keep them in an airtight container in the fridge for up to a week. They will also keep frozen for a couple of months if stored in an airtight container in the freezer. Thaw until still chilled or eat frozen!

Chocolate truffle with a bite taken out of it.

More chocolate recipes to try include homemade crunch candy bar and rocky road candy!

Other Types of Truffles

HUNGRY FOR MORE? Subscribe to my newsletter and follow on Facebook, Pinterest and Instagram for all the newest recipes!

chocolate truffles

Chocolate Truffles

5 from 18 votes
↑ Click stars to rate now!
Author: Jamielyn Nye
Easy chocolate truffles made with only 3 simple ingredients! They are smooth, creamy, rich and seriously divine. The perfect festive and decadent treat to make for your Valentine!
Prep Time: 30 minutes
Chill: 1 hour 10 minutes
Total Time: 1 hour 40 minutes
Servings: 24 truffles (2 per serving)

Ingredients 

  • 16 ounces high quality chocolate
  • 1 cup heavy cream
  • 1 Tablespoon butter

Optional Flavorings: 1/2 teaspoon vanilla extract, almond extract, mint extract, etc.

Optional Toppings: Sprinkles, chopped nuts, coconut, cocoa powder, powdered sugar, melted chocolate for dipping

Instructions

  • Chop chocolate finely and place in a heat safe bowl. Add heavy cream to separate bowl and microwave cream for 1 minute and 15 seconds, or until hot. Then pour hot cream over chocolate.
  • If desired, add butter and vanilla in bowl. Cover bowl with saran wrap and then let sit for 5 minutes (the hot cream will melt the other ingredients).
  • Stir mixture until smooth. Cover and refrigerate for at least 1-2 hours. You can place in the freezer to make firm faster. 
  • Line a baking sheet with parchment or wax paper and set aside. Once firm, use a small cookie scoop to scoop out the chocolate. Place on the pan. Then place in the freezer for about 10 minutes.
  • Place the toppings in small bowls. Then take the pan out of the freezer and roll the truffle scoops into balls. Then roll the balls into the toppings. If they get too sticky, place back in the freezer.
  • Store in the refrigerator or freezer until ready to serve.

Notes

Chocolate: I used half semi-sweet and half bittersweet chocolate.
Storage: Store in a covered container in the refrigerator up to 2 weeks. You can also freeze them up to 3 months. 
Dipping tip: If dipping them in chocolate, place the truffle on a fork. Then pour the chocolate over the truffle with a spoon and tap the fork on the edge of the bowl. Then place the truffle on the paper and draw a circle around the base with a toothpick. You don’t want to dip the truffles all the way in the chocolate, as it will melt the truffle.

Nutrition

Calories: 134kcal | Carbohydrates: 11g | Fat: 10g | Saturated Fat: 6g | Cholesterol: 14mg | Sodium: 10mg | Potassium: 62mg | Fiber: 1g | Sugar: 9g | Vitamin A: 160IU | Vitamin C: 0.1mg | Calcium: 11mg | Iron: 0.5mg

Nutrition provided is an estimate. It will vary based on specific ingredients used.

Course: Dessert
Cuisine: American

Did you make this recipe? Don’t forget to give it a star rating below!

Let’s connect

Join our community of over 5 million!

Featured on

  • Taste of Home
  • Martha Stewart
  • Country Living
  • BuzzFeed
  • Yahoo
  • Food Network
  • Today