Valentines and Handmade Chocolate, Made from the Heart

What better way to celebrate the day of love but with chocolate? And what says love better than handmade chocolates? There are so many different ways and crafty ideas to accomplish this. I hope to touch on a few here for you.

A few years ago I saved my valentines box. It is a gorgeous red velvet covered box. This will be a great box to hold new chocolate treasures to give away. Hand made truffles. I ask you, is there a better way to say, "I love you"?

Let's start with a basic recipe for truffles.

Classic Chocolate Truffles

INGREDIENTS:

1/2 cup heavy cream

2 Tablespoons unsalted butter

1 teaspoon light corn syrup

8 oz. chopped, semi-sweet chocolate + 6 oz. for dipping

about 1/2 cup Dutch-process cocoa powder, sifted PREPARATION:

1. Mix the cream, butter and corn syrup together in a saucepan. Place over medium heat and bring to a full boil. Turn off heat.

2. Add 8 ounces of the chopped chocolate, and gently swirl the pan.

Do not stir. Allow to rest for 5 minutes.

3. After 5 minutes, whisk slowly to combine.

4. Transfer the mixture to a bowl and refrigerate for 45 minutes, stirring every 15 minutes. In the meantime, line baking sheets with parchment paper.

5. Using a mini ice cream scoop or two spoons form the mixture into 1-inch balls and place on the prepared sheets.

6. Chill until firm, about 10-15 minutes. While the balls are chilling, melt the remaining 6 ounces of chocolate. After it is completely melted, allow to cool slightly before continuing.

7. Place cocoa in small bowl. Remove the balls from the refrigerator. Using one hand, dip the balls into the melted chocolate. Roll it around in your hand; allow the excess to drip back into the bowl. Place the truffle in the cocoa. With your clean hand, cover the truffle with cocoa.

8. Lift it out and place on the baking sheet. Repeat with the remaining truffles. Place back in the refrigerator for 5-8 minutes to set.

Now let's mix this up a little bit. Let's make orange truffles. To the filling you can add 2 teaspoons of orange zest. Want to make amaretto truffles? As long as your recipient is over 21 you can add 2 to 3 tablespoons at the last step. You can also add flavorings if you don't want to actually add alcohol. You can also change it up by what you roll the finished truffle into. The basic recipe has you roll it in powdered cocoa. You can try rolling your truffles in chopped nuts, chopped candies such as peppermint candies, or even more chopped chocolate. You are only limited by your imagination.

You can also vary your truffles with molded candy. The supplies can also be found at your local craft store. From the chocolates, to the molds, to the flavors and fillings. The easiest way to make these candies is to temper the chocolate, and pour them into the molds. After it has hardened you can just pop them out and have some fun shaped candy to add to your candy box.

In craft stores they also have the little candy wrappers, like you would receive in the candy boxes that you receive. This is a nice touch. These can also be made. Take a round pattern, I use a large water glass, and trace around it on a rather thin paper. You can place your chocolate or truffle on it and wrap the sides up and around. You can find paper and even tissue paper with numerous designs on it. These are very nice little touches.

Now you have your truffles and a beautiful box. It doesn't have to be a valentines box either, craft stores sell a variety of great boxes for just this purpose, but here again you are only limited by your imagination. Take out boxes, lined in pretty tissue papers and candy wrappers will make it look festive. Think about valentines tins filled with handmade truffles, or hatboxes that you can paint and decorated in your own distinct Valentines style. The effort will be well worth it, when you see the look on your Valentine's face. Add a beautiful ribbon to tie your box or tin up and you have a beautiful gift for your valentine. Made by you, from your heart. A truly unique Valentines gift and craft!