Truffles are not particularly difficult things to make when it comes to crafting candies and chocolates. This means that they’re a great choice for a fancy treat that you can make at home with just a little bit of practice. What can be difficult about making truffles is making them truly exceptional, but with a little bit of guidance, you can make yours just as gourmet as any you can find at an upscale chocolatier. Truffles: 50 Deliciously Decadent Homemade Chocolate Treats is a cookbook that happens to offer up just that guidance, with 50 recipes for all different types of truffles.
The book starts off with an introduction that covers the most important part of making truffles: choosing the chocolate you are going to work with. Since truffles are all about the chocolate flavor and don’t have as many ingredients as, for instance, a cake, it is crucial to use a high quality chocolate that has a flavor you like. The book goes on to describe chocolate from several high-end suppliers, including Valhrona and Callebaut, so you know what you’re in for with each. It then goes on to discuss truffle-making techniques, from rolling the centers to dipping the truffles in tempered chocolate for a smooth shell. There is even a page of troubleshooting tips to help you through any problems that might arise as you work.
The truffle recipes themselves are divided into chapters on chocolate flavors, fruit flavors, nut and spice flavors, and “grown-up” flavors, such as coffee- infused and liqueur-infused truffles. The technique is similar for all of the recipes, but the book ranges from classic ganache truffles that are made with cream, as well as truffles made with butter, creme fraiche and even soymilk, for those who don’t use dairy. There are more truffle-making tips and plenty of truffle photos sprinkled throughout the book, as well.
Homemade truffles are quite easy to make and fun to play around with for all occasions. You can start with some Mint Chocolate Truffles if that’s a flavor combination that you like. If you want to try your hand at making some other homemade candies, you can also take a look at the books Brittles, Barks and Bonbons and The Field Guide to Candy in addition to this book.
Ron
February 8, 2010Thanks for the review and extra info on truffles. It is hard to view books and get a review of same. I look forward to reading through this book (Truffles: 50 Deliciously Decadent Homemade Chocolate Treats), thanks