Easter simnel truffles
Chocolate truffles are a decadent treat at any time but this Easter version is irresistible.
Ingredients
For the ganache
- 200ml/7fl oz full-fat milk or double cream
- 1 cinnamon stick, crushed
- half a nutmeg, grated
- 75g/2¾oz muscovado sugar
- 300²µ/10½´Ç³ú dark chocolate (preferably with 62% or more cocoa solids), finely chopped
- 5 tsp brandy
- 100²µ/3½´Ç³ú marzipan
For the coating
- 100²µ/3½´Ç³ú cocoa powder
- 100²µ/3½´Ç³ú icing sugar
- 25g/1oz ground cinnamon
- 10g/¼oz ground nutmeg
- 400g/14oz dark chocolate, melted and tempered
Method
For the ganache, put the milk or cream, spices and sugar into a saucepan and bring to a simmer. Place the chopped chocolate in a heatproof bowl. Remove the spiced milk from the heat and strain through a fine sieve onto the chopped chocolate. Whisk until smooth, then add the brandy and whisk again. Pour into a plastic container and refrigerate for an hour, or until set.
Roll the marzipan into small balls the size of a hazelnut. Coat the marzipan balls in the set ganache and place on a tray.
For the coating, place the cocoa powder, icing sugar, cinnamon and ground nutmeg into a bowl.
Melt and temper the dark chocolate by breaking the chocolate into small, even pieces and gently melting it in a bowl over a saucepan of hot, not boiling, water. Place a cook’s thermometer into the chocolate and continue to heat until it reaches 43C/110F. Remove from the heat and cool to 35C/95F. Now it is ready to use.
Using your fingers, dip each truffle in the melted, tempered chocolate and drop into the cocoa powder mixture, rolling until the truffle is completely coated. Set aside to cool on a plate.
Eat the truffles at room temperature, so they are very soft inside.
How-to videos
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