DIY favors that are food related definitely win over your guests! Depending on your time and refrigerator space, chocolate truffles can be a great favor idea. You’ll need some time for trial-and-error, so I would recommend only doing this if you have a couple easy days in the week leading up to your wedding. Grab your hunny, friends or family to help.
Classic truffles are truly melt-in-your-mouth delicious. And if you ever have tried making ganache you are half-way there! I would suggest at least two per person in a small box or bag.
Step 1: The first part is making the Ganache, a special type of chocolate that is simply 2 parts good quality dark chocolate (75% recommended) and 1 part heavy cream. Use a double boiler to heat heavy cream, remove from heat and add chocolate, mix and allow to cool.
Step 2: If you’d like to flavor the chocolate (optional), once the mix is cool is the time – popular flavors are orange liqueur, apricot brandy or creme de menthe. Generally 1 to 2 tablespoons, depending on how much chocolate, is a good starting point. After you’ve added the flavor place the ganache in your fridge overnight.
Step 3: I like to add a hard coat of chocolate so you can get that nice bite to the truffles. To do this you need melted chocolate. You can use the double boiler again, with boiled water on the bottom layer and melting dark chocolate on the top insert layer. Remove from heat once completely melted.
Step 4: Now you can complete your chocolates. Set-up an area with a cookie sheet pan (or multiple) and place parchment paper on top. Use powder-free vinyl or latex gloves on your hands to keep clean, if desired. Remove the ganache mixture from the fridge. Using a melon baller scoop balls of chocolate ganache and quickly dip into the melted chocolate and place on the baking sheet. Place back into the fridge for an hour to harden.
Other traditional methods are as follows; make little round balls (with the melon baller, a spoon or your hands) and roll over with cocoa. You can also roll over with shredded coconut, sprinkles, chopped nuts or confectionery sugar!
Step 5: Use mini cupcake foils to hold the truffles, place 1-3 in a cute favor box or bag. Veiled Haven also has a DIY project for the finished truffles – fancy favour boxes:
Additional resources check out this great article on how to store and keep truffles longer.
Also – step by step with pictures on homemade chocolate truffles. Or Veiled Haven with additional recipe advice.
Questions? Email me anytime – thebrightoccasions@gmail.com –www.thebrightoccasions.com
