Valentine's Day Sweets: Chocolate Truffle Recipe

When it comes to Chocolate Truffles, chocoholics are divided. Some prefer the predictable, such as Godiva, Lindt, or Ferrero Rochers while others go for limited editions.

It is hardly a secret that the best pastries and sweets are the homemade variety. What better way to entice one's beloved on Valentine's Day than with the fruit of your own hard measuring, stirring, tasting and shaping?

Hence, I share with you my husband's chocolate truffle recipe. Handle with care and don't forget to give credit where it's due!

Anton's Truffles

Ingredients:

1 cup Heavy Cream
3 tbsp Butter
1/2 cup Sugar (substitute some of the sugar with corn syrup)
1 cup Cocoa powder
16 oz Bitter chocolate
2 tsps Vanilla extract
Touch of Cognac

Directions:

Heat the cream. Slowly stir in the sugar and butter. Add the chocolate, broken up into small pieces, while continuing to stir. Once the chocolate is incorporated, add the vanilla and cognac and a little bit of cocoa powder and stir some more. Once the mixture is homogeneous, remove from heat and let it cool. Once it is cool and somewhat solidified, cut into desired shape (or shape with hands) and place on a plate covered with cocoa powder. Spray truffles with more cocoa powder to avoid sticking and refrigerate.

Simple Chocolate Truffles:

If you would like to involve your children in the truffle making, preparing easy chocolate balls is the way to go. An all time preschool classic, these are simple and fun.

Ingredients:

1 Package biscuits
1 tbsp cocoa
4 tbsp sugar
2 or 3 tbsp margarine
Water or Milk
Cocunut flakes or decorative candies

Preparation:

Put all the biscuits in a plastic bag, seal and smash using hands or a heavy dish or rolling pin. Add cocoa, sugar, margarine, then add liquid until a homogeneous dough is formed. Shape into balls and sprinkle with coconut. Refrigerate and eat!