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.
Table of Contents
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!
Find the full printable recipe with specific measurements below.
- 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.
- Heavy cream: The sweet flavor and thick consistency help make the truffles extra creamy inside.
- 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
- 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
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.
Recipe FAQs
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.
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.
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.
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.
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!
More chocolate recipes to try include homemade crunch candy bar and rocky road candy!
Other Types of Truffles
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Chocolate Truffles
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
Nutrition
Nutrition provided is an estimate. It will vary based on specific ingredients used.
Did you make this recipe? Don’t forget to give it a star rating below!
Categorized as: 5 Ingredients Or Less, American, Candy + Fudge, Chocolate, Desserts, Freezer-Friendly, Gluten-Free, Kid-Friendly, Mini, No-Bake, Nut-Free, Valentine's Day, Vegetarian
Jamielyn Nye is the founder and recipe creator at I Heart Naptime. She is the author of the I Heart Naptime Cookbook and shares easy family-friendly recipes and desserts for every occasion.
Could I use Ghirardelli Chocolate Chips instead of a Bar?
Yes you can :)
These chocolate truffles were so easy to make since they just had 3 ingredients and still tasted amazing.
These couldn’t possibly be any easier! I am making more today!
So glad you enjoyed the chocolate truffles!
These were so easy to make and turned out like absolute heaven. Will be making these every Valentine’s Day from now on!
If desired, add butter and vanilla in bowl.
Vanilla isn’t listed in the ingredients. How much?
The vanilla is optional. I use 1/2 tsp.
The kids and I had so much fun making and eating these! A great family activity that tastes great too.
I’m so glad to hear! :)
These are sooooooo dangerous. Not only because they’re super rich and chocolaty, but they are SO EASY to make!
I’m about to make these…. you say you used two bars of chocolate (the bars are each 4 oz.) but the recipe calls for 16 oz. of chocolate. Are you just doubling up the recipe? How many does two bar make? And how much heavy cream? How many does 4 bars make/how much heavy cream?
Hi Autumn! I should have said I use half and half. It is 16 oz for this recipe. If you would like to half the recipe and only use 8 oz, use 1/2 cup of heavy cream and 1/2 Tb of butter.
Hi : )
What kind of chocolate do you use to dip the truffles? I am planning to make these for all my neighborhood mom friends for Mother’s Day! Thank you!
I use Ghirardelli! I like to use 1 bar of semi-sweet chocolate and 1 bar of bittersweet chocolate to give the truffles the perfect balance of flavor.
These were delicious, but very sticky when rolling. Any suggestions??
Hi Amy! Did you place them in the fridge before rolling? I would recommend popping in the freezer if they are still too sticky.
Why do you draw around the base with a toothpick after you dip them?
So you have a clean circle when you pick them up. You don’t have to draw the circle around, I just like to so they look prettier :D
Loved this chocolate truffle recipe!
YES! I love homemade chocolate truffles. These are perfect for Valentine’s Day!
Yes definitely the perfect Valentine’s treat! Hope you enjoy!
These truffles look amazing! I’m going to try making these for Valentine’s Day!
Hope you enjoy!!
You had me at chocolate and three ingredient. These truffles are a must make.
Hope you enjoy!!
You had me at chocolate! These look incredible! I just love truffles! I cant wait to make my own!
Hope you enjoy!!
These are so fun for Valentine’s Day! I’m going to put my girls to work making them.
Hope you enjoy!!