Description

These Easy Chocolate Orange Truffles combine rich semi-sweet chocolate with the bright, zesty flavor of fresh orange for a decadent homemade treat. Made with a creamy ganache infused with orange zest and juice, these truffles are coated in powdered sugar or optional toppings like cocoa powder and nuts. Perfect for gifting or savoring yourself, they require minimal prep and chilling time for an elegant, fuss-free dessert.

Ingredients

Scale

Truffle Base

8 oz semi-sweet chocolate, chopped (or chocolate chips)
½ cup heavy cream
1 tbsp unsalted butter
1 tbsp orange zest (freshly grated)
2 tbsp orange juice (freshly squeezed)
¼ tsp vanilla extract

For Rolling

¼ cup powdered sugar
Optional toppings: cocoa powder, chopped nuts, or orange sprinkles

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Instructions

Prepare chocolate: Chop the semi-sweet chocolate into small pieces and place it in a heatproof bowl to ensure even melting in the next steps.
Heat cream and butter: In a small saucepan over medium heat, warm the heavy cream and butter together, stirring occasionally. Heat until the mixture begins to simmer but avoid letting it boil to prevent curdling.
Combine cream and chocolate: Pour the hot cream and butter mixture over the chopped chocolate and allow it to sit undisturbed for 2-3 minutes to soften and melt the chocolate.
Mix ganache: Stir the softened chocolate and cream mixture until smooth and glossy. Then, fold in the freshly grated orange zest, orange juice, and vanilla extract to infuse bright citrus flavor into the ganache.
Chill ganache: Cover the bowl with plastic wrap and refrigerate for at least 2 hours or until the mixture is firm enough to handle for rolling into balls.
Form truffles: Using a spoon or melon baller, scoop small portions of the chilled ganache and quickly roll them between your palms to form smooth balls.
Coat truffles: Roll the shaped truffles in powdered sugar or your choice of toppings such as cocoa powder, chopped nuts, or orange sprinkles for added texture and flavor.
Set truffles: Place the coated truffles on a parchment-lined baking sheet or plate and refrigerate them for at least 30 minutes to allow them to fully set.
Serve and store: Enjoy the truffles immediately or store them in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to one week, maintaining their freshness.

Notes

Use fresh orange zest and juice for the best citrus flavor; bottled juice won’t be as vibrant.
Keep the ganache cold before rolling to make shaping easier and prevent melting.
If the ganache becomes too soft while rolling, chill it again until firm.
Experiment with coatings like toasted coconut or finely chopped pistachios for variations.
Truffles can also be dusted in cocoa powder instead of powdered sugar for a less sweet finish.
Store truffles refrigerated and consume within a week for optimal taste and texture.