Balsamic Chocolate Truffles

So guess what!  I am going to Disneyland today!

Every year, around Christmas time, my husband and I take a trip to Disneyland.  It’s a tradition.  We have been doing it ever since college.  It’s one of my favorite times of the year and I truly look forward to it!

Living in San Diego, Disneyland is only one and a half hours away.  It’s so close that we can drive up and back in one day.  We used to do this every year until last year we changed this up.  We drove up the night before and stayed in a hotel close to Disneyland and then drove back the same night we went to Disneyland.  But now this year we are changing it up again – We are staying in a hotel both the night before and after.  This way we can relax more and spend a long, fulfilling day at Disneyland.

Now that you know my Disneyland plans, I want to bring you back in and tell you about these Balsamic Chocolate Truffles.

Truffles have been on my list to make for such a long time!  I always bring the recipe out and plan to make them but then never end up making them.  But with Christmas coming, I knew I had to make them.  And not just to enjoy them ourselves, but to show them to you :). 

Chocolate truffles are a great Christmas treat for many reasons.
    1) They are easy to make, and no oven is required.
    2) They look so cute in a baggie tied with a bow as a homemade Christmas gift.
    3) They are the perfect addition to the Christmas dessert table as they are easy to pop in your mouth and enjoy.

One of my favorite things about chocolate truffles is that are very elegant.  They aren’t your everyday chocolate treat.  With being such an elegant dessert, you would think that they would be complicated to make; but they actually are the exact opposite.  They have simple ingredients, chocolate and cream, and the process is practically foolproof. 

Your family and friends will think you slaved in the kitchen for hours over these elegant truffles, but really it took you 20 minutes of active time to make this tasty treat.

Knowing me, I didn’t just want to show you a basic chocolate truffle.  I wanted to make something a little bit different.  So I added balsamic vinaigrette to the chocolate and cream mixture, making a chocolaty, tangy, and sweet balsamic chocolate truffle.

So while I’m enjoying Disneyland, you can enjoy these delicious truffles!

Balsamic Chocolate Truffles 
For Printable Recipe, Click here! 
Makes: About 25 Truffles

8 ½ ounces High Quality Dark Chocolate, Chopped (I used Callebaut)
¼ cup Heavy Cream
3 teaspoons Balsamic Vinegar
1/3 cup Cocoa Powder (It's best if the Cocoa Powder isn't too bitter)

Place the chopped chocolate and heavy cream in a medium bowl.  Place the bowl over a pot of lightly simmering water and melt the chocolate, stirring occasionally.  Pour the melted chocolate into a small, shallow bowl, and stir in the balsamic vinegar.

Transfer the bowl of chocolate to the refrigerator to cool until it has hardened, about 1 hour.  Remove the chocolate from the refrigerator and let it sit at room temperature until it is easily moldable.

Place the cocoa powder in a small bowl.  Using a cookie scoop, scoop rounds of the chocolate into the palm of your hands.  Roll the chocolate into a round ball.  Place the chocolate ball into the cocoa powder and roll it around to completely coat it.  Repeat with the remaining chocolate.  

Serve and enjoy!

These truffles keep best in a sealed container in a cool area.  If left at room temperature, the truffles could soften.  You can also keep them in the refrigerator and then allow them to sit at room temperature for about 1 hour before serving.

Recipe from Giada De Laurentiis on Food Network.