Whisky Chocolate Truffles

Chocolate truffles, those delectable nuggets of indulgence, have been enchanting taste buds for generations. This symphony of flavours wrapped in a velvety chocolate embrace has become a symbol of culinary elegance. Now imagine that you add a few drops of peated whisky your chocolate truffle.

The origins of truffles are shrouded in a few charming legends, with one story attributing their accidental discovery to the renowned French chef Escoffier.

Picture this: a bustling kitchen, the intoxicating aroma of chocolate filling the air. Escoffier, the maestro of French cuisine, was experimenting with a pastry cream when, in a twist of fate, he poured scalding cream into a bowl of chocolate chunks instead of the intended sugared egg mixture.

Rather than lamenting the mishap, he found that the chocolate paste was malleable, easily shaped into delightful spheres. And thus, the truffle was born, a confection that blended elegance with happenstance.

Truffles, characterized by their invitingly rounded forms, entered the culinary stage between 1890 and the 1920s. Their popularity soared as their recipes travelled the world, giving rise to regional variations like European, Belgian, American, French, and Swiss truffles.

A tantalizing journey into the world of truffles reveals a range of delightful infusions. Among them, the marriage of a hint of alcohol like brandy or Champagne has emerged as a beloved choice. Yet, today’s truffles transcend these classics.

Enthusiasts embrace coatings as diverse as crushed peppercorns, sweet curry, paprika, and even chocolate vermicelli. Regardless of the chosen coating, each truffle promises a symphony of taste.

I still remember when I first encountered whisky truffles as a child. In honour of Whisky Chocolate Month, I took on the challenge of crafting these delights myself. My initial attempts adhered to the traditional ganache recipe, yielding a rich but slightly daunting texture. Pursuing perfection led me to reconsider my approach, prompting me to dial my mom’s number.

Also Read: Whisky and Brie Cheese

Ah, the wisdom of mothers! She shared a recipe she had cherished for years that deviated from the conventional ganache method. It departs from tradition yet promises a smooth, creamy delight. With renewed determination, I embarked on the journey to refine the recipe.

But the flavour was the true heart of the matter. My experimentation led me to add some Ardbeg 10 yo whisky, birthing a peaty whisky truffle that captured the essence of Islay. Yet the journey wasn’t over; a Moroccan Ras el Hanout spice paired perfectly with Chivas Extra, resulting in a spicy-sweet variant.

In a world where culinary exploration knows no bounds, truffles are a testament to the artistry of accidental discovery and the harmony of flavours. These little spheres, once borne from a mishap, have become a canvas for gastronomic imagination.

The Basic recipe for Whisky Chocolate Truffles

• 100 grams dark chocolate broken into little pieces (I used the Lindt Excellence 70% Cocoa
• 63 grams of butter
• 1 egg
• 1 1/2 cup icing sugar
• 4 tablespoons cacao (+ extra for dusting if required)

Peated Whisky Truffles

ADD:

30 ml peated whisky – I used the Ardbeg 10 yo (the peatier, the better)

Moroccan Truffles

ADD:

2 teaspoons Ras el Hanout spice
30 ml whisky (I used the Chivas Extra blended whisky)

Directions

Add the chocolate and butter to a small pot and heat gently to melt. When melted, take off the heat and add in the rest of the ingredients. Add the peated whisky for the peaty truffles or the Ras el Hanout for the Moroccan flavoured whisky chocolate truffles.

Stir well until everything is incorporated. Cool the mixture in the fridge for an hour until it starts setting. While the mixture is still soft enough to handle, but stiff enough to hold the shape, roll into small balls.

If you like, roll the truffles in some cocoa powder to coat.

I am not the most patient person in the world, so I spooned the mixture into heart-shaped chocolate forms. For the Moroccan whisky chocolate truffles, I dusted the form lightly with some Ras el Hanout seasoning.

Allow truffles to set in the fridge for at least 5 hours and serve straight from the fridge.

It is that easy. You can quickly make it in an afternoon and it makes the ideal gift for the whisky lover in your life.

Also Read: Coconut Panna Cotta