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I make these Peppermint Truffles every holiday season and watch folks' faces brighten with that first taste. The mix of smooth chocolate and refreshing peppermint creates something truly wonderful in your mouth. With their glittery candy cane coating, they look stunning at parties or nestled in gift boxes for friends and family.
Festive Delight in Each Bite
What I adore about these truffles is how they combine two Christmas classics - chocolate and peppermint. And guess what? They're actually quite easy to make but look super fancy. They always bring smiles whether they're displayed on a treat plate or tucked into a colorful tin. That combo of deep chocolate and cool mint just screams holiday time.
What You'll Need
- Chocolate: Go for quality here - I pick 70% dark chocolate. Cheap chips won't give you that velvety texture we want.
- Heavy Cream: Use the full-fat kind for extra creaminess and proper setting.
- Butter: Adding this makes everything more luxurious and silky - don't skip it.
- Peppermint Extract: A small amount delivers that holiday flavor without going too strong.
- Crushed Candy Canes: These add a delightful crunch and festive appearance.
- Optional Coatings: Try different toppings like candy cane bits, cocoa powder, or red sprinkles for variety.
How To Make Peppermint Truffles
- Create the Ganache
- Heat your cream and butter until bubbling, then pour over the chopped chocolate pieces. Let it stand for a minute before stirring until completely smooth.
- Mix in Peppermint
- Add your peppermint extract and crushed candy canes, then put the mixture in the fridge until it's firm enough to handle.
- Shape Your Truffles
- Grab small amounts and roll into balls. Here comes the fun part - roll them in your chosen coatings for a pretty finish.
- Cool and Enjoy
- Put them on parchment paper and chill in the fridge until set. They taste great cold or at room temperature.
Making Them Perfect
From my experience, quality chocolate really matters. Give your chocolate mixture plenty of time to melt completely - don't rush it. When crushing candy canes, keep some chunks along with the powder for interesting texture. Work fast when rolling your truffles as they soften quickly in warm hands.
Beautiful Display Ideas
These treats jazz up any holiday table. I like to arrange them alongside other Christmas goodies on a fancy plate. For gifts, I pack them in holiday containers with parchment paper. Sometimes I match the coatings to my holiday colors - like red and white for a traditional Christmas look.
Great for Giving
These truffles have become my favorite holiday treat to share. You can make lots ahead and they store really well. Whenever I bring them to gatherings or wrap them up as presents, they always spread happiness. There's something really special about giving homemade sweets during the holiday season.
Recipe FAQs
- → Why heat cream and butter together?
Creates smoother ganache with better texture.
- → What chocolate works best?
Semi-sweet or bittersweet for best flavor balance with peppermint.
- → Why use cocoa on hands?
Prevents chocolate from sticking while rolling truffles.
- → Can I freeze these?
Yes, freeze up to 3 months in airtight container.
- → What toppings work best?
Crushed candy canes, cocoa powder, or colored sugar for festive look.