Description
Sweet, rich, and nutty chocolate hazelnut crunch truffles with Nutella.
Ingredients
- 16 ounces (450g) semi-sweet or milk chocolate, coarsely chopped and divided*
- 1/2 cup (120ml) heavy cream
- 1/3 cup (100g) Nutella
- 2 Tablespoons (28g) unsalted butter, softened to room temperature
- 3/4 cup (90g) toasted and finely chopped hazelnuts, divided*
Instructions
- Place 8 ounces of semi-sweet chocolate in a large heatproof bowl. Microwave in four fifteen second increments, stirring after each, for a total of 60 seconds. Stir until almost completely melted. Set aside.
- Pour cream into a small saucepan over medium heat. Whisking occasionally, heat until it just begins to boil. Remove from the heat, then slowly pour over the chocolate. Gently begin stirring with a wooden spoon in one direction. Do not forcefully stir, always be gentle! Once the chocolate and cream are smooth, stir in the Nutella and butter until combined and smooth, then stir in 1/2 cup of the hazelnuts. Cover with plastic wrap pressed on the top of the mixture then allow to sit at room temperature for 15-30 minutes. Then place in the refrigerator until it reaches “scoopable” consistency, about 4 hours.
- Line a lage baking sheet with parchment paper or a silicone baking mat. Set aside.
- Remove mixture from the refrigerator. Measure 1 teaspoon, roll mixture in your hands into a ball as best as you can, then place on the baking sheet. The mixture will be a little sticky. Coat your palms with a little cocoa powder, which I find helps you handle the mixture. Repeat rolling the rest of the mixture. (A rolling tip: If you can’t roll into perfect balls, do the best you can and place on the baking sheet. The air will help “dry out” the truffles. After 15 minutes, you’ll be able to roll them into neater balls.)
- Coat in chocolate: You can melt the remaining 8 ounces of chocolate in a double boiler or the microwave. (Alternatively, you can temper the chocolate.) If using the microwave: place the chocolate in a medium heat-proof bowl. I like to use a liquid measuring cup. Its depth makes it easier for dipping. Melt in 15 second increments in the microwave, stirring after each increment until completely melted and smooth.
- Dip each truffle completely into the chocolate using the spiral dipping tool or a fork. When lifting the ball out of the chocolate, remember to tap the dipping tool gently on the side of the bowl to allow excess chocolate to drip off. Place balls back onto the baking sheet after you dip each one. Drizzle with any leftover chocolate. Sprinkle with remaining hazelnuts. Refrigerate for 30 minutes or until chocolate has completely set before serving.
Notes
- Make Ahead & Freezing Instructions: Layer truffles in a tupperware between parchment paper and store at room temperature or in the refrigerator for up to 1 week. Freeze for up to 2 months, then thaw overnight in the refrigerator.
- Special Tools (affiliate links): Glass Mixing Bowls | Whisk | Wooden Spoon | Candy Dipping Tools | Baking Sheet | Silicone Baking Mat or Parchment Paper | Double Boiler or Liquid Measuring Cup (for melting chocolate) | Chocolate Tempering Thermometer (only needed if you temper your chocolate) | Squeeze Bottle (for drizzling)
- Chocolate: Make sure you are using quality, pure chocolate. Not chocolate chips. Use milk chocolate for a sweeter truffle.
- Hazelnuts: Simply use chopped Diamond of California hazelnuts. These are found in the baking aisle. You can toast them for a deeper flavor; I suggest it! To toast them, spread them out on a lined baking sheet and bake for 7-8 minutes at 300°F (149°C). Let them slightly cool. Then, put them into a food processor and pulse a few times to really chop them up fine. You want small pieces of nuts.