The Other Truffle Recipe
Variations
Irish Dream
Replace vanilla extract with one small (single serving) bottle of Irish Creme, however when chilling centers, put in freezer instead of refrigerator. Centers will be soft, dip a few at a time.
Peanut Butter
Use 10 oz bag of peanut butter chips instead of the 1 cup of chocolate chips in the filling. Centers will be very firm, chill only until firm enough to scoop.
White Clouds
When dipping the truffle centers, use 2 cups of melted white chocolate instead of semi-sweet chocolate. When melting white chocolate, melt it slowly over warm water. Be sure the centers are very firm, or the white coating will be discolored by the chocolate.
Mint
Replace the vanilla extract with 1 tsp. peppermint extract. Or, for mints with more kick, replace with one shot of peppermint schnapps. Chill in freezer, centers will be very soft.
Toffee Chip
After stirring in vanilla extract, add 3/4 cup toffee chips, stir well.
*Be Creative, virtually any flavoring or flavored liqueur can be substituted for the vanilla extract. Careful, when using liqueur, the centers will not set up hard, and will be difficult to work with. Chill in the freezer, and keep them in the freezer while dipping the rest.
Semi-sweet, milk, or mint/raspberry flavored chocolate chips can be used in the centers or as a coating, and white chocolate can also be used as a coating. (White chocolate does not make a very good center).
Confused about what flavor your truffles are? Mark the tops with a code! Use white chocolate on dark truffles, dark chocolate on white truffles, use colored decorating gels, colored sprinkles, roll in cocoa or chocolate sprinkles, add a coffee bean, or mark with a special swirl!
*Secrets to Good Truffles
Occasionally, I've given my recipe to someone, and they've come back to me with a pout, saying that their truffles just didn't taste like mine. I see the same mistakes and problems over and over, so I thought I'd share a few tips and tricks with you.
Use only the best ingredients
If you want good results, you'll have to pay for them, both in money and calories. Use real butter, heavy whipping cream, real extracts (never artificial!), and real semi-sweet chocolate (if you use chocolate flavored chips, this recipe becomes a powerful explosive. Don't do it). Yes, they'll have more fat and calories, and yes, they'll cost more. If you choose to go cheap or lower fat, well, I'm not responsible for the mess.
When in doubt, use a thermometer
I have done enough cooking that I can usually time a recipe that calls for boiling candy to a certain heat. If you're not certain where that is, or if you're over or under boiling the filling, get a candy thermometer and use it. It doesn't make you less cool, it makes you more high-tech.
There is a wonderful Milk Chocolate Run-Raisin Truffle recipe by carlo3b in The Clinton Legacy Cookbook. Yumm!