Coffee Chocolate Truffles Recipe

Coffee Chocolate Truffles can be coated in chopped pecans and cocoa powder (as pictured) or with other compatible foods, such as shredded coconut, chopped walnuts or confectioners sugar.

Marko Goodwin

There's no instant coffee or pre-brewed coffee in this coffee chocolate truffles recipe. It's all about the full flavor of the pure grounds! Substitute different coatings for a variety of flavors in each batch. It makes a great holiday gift, coffee pairing or dinner party dessert.

Prep Time: 45?minutes

Cook Time: 4?hours

Total Time: 4?hours, 45?minutes

Yield: Makes about 20 to 25 truffles.

Ingredients:

• 3/4 cup heavy whipping cream
• 8 ounces good quality, chopped semi-sweet chocolate
• 2 tablespoons finely ground coffee beans (I used Sumatran, but you can select based on your personal preferences)
• 2 tablespoons unsalted butter
• 2 tablespoons Kahlua (or homemade coffee liqueur)
• 1.5 cups finely chopped pecans, walnuts or other nuts, or 1/2 cup unsweetened dark cocoa powder or confectioners sugar

Preparation:

1. In a double broiler, bring the cream to a simmer.
2. Slowly add the chopped chocolate a few pieces at a time, whisking constantly until the mixture is thick and smooth.
3. Whisk in the coffee.
4. Whisk in the butter until it is fully melted.
5. Slowly whisk in the Kahlua. Add it very slowly if it is chilled. (This will prevent it from hardening the chocolate and harming the final product's texture.)
6. Remove the mixture from heat and pour it into a shallow baking dish.
7. Place the baking dish in the fridge overnight or in the freezer until the chocolate has hardened (roughly a few hours).
8. Once the chocolate has hardened, spread the chopped nuts or other toppings across a large, flat surface (such as a cutting board).
9. Remove the chocolate from the fridge/freezer.
10. Scoop a bite-sized piece of chocolate from the baking dish, roll it into a ball with your hands and roll it in the toppings. Set it aside on parchment paper or a baking sheet.
11. Repeat until you have used all of the chocolate.
12. Cover and refrigerate the truffles until they are firm.

Serve cold or at room temperature. When stored in a sealed container, the truffles keep about two weeks in the fridge or two months in the freezer... assuming you can keep yourself from eating them all first!

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Hot Chocolate Recipes

The weather is gradually getting warmer in much of the Northern Hemisphere, but if nights are still chilly enough for hot chocolate where you are, you can still have a few more cups before spring sets in. Personally, I'm planning to enjoy a cup of hot chocolate when I reach the higher elevations of Darjeeling... that is, if it isn't made with a syrup! (European-style drinking chocolate is rare in India, even in areas where Europeans are everywhere.)

Of course, were I back in my former town of Portland, Oregon, or my former City of New York, I would opt to make my own drinking chocolate from scratch, or to make a cup using one of my favorite hot chocolate recipes.

Are you still making hot chocolate this winter / spring, or have you switched to cool drinks? Do you drink "iced hot chocolate" in the summer, or sip hot drinks all year?

Photo (c) Marko Goodwin
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Hot Chocolate Recipes

There are so many types of hot chocolate recipes in the world. Some recipe (like those with marshmallows and peppermint) make perfect holiday drinks for kids, while others (like those with liqueurs) are best for more adult holiday celebrations. Some classic hot chocolate recipes can be prepared around a campfire, while many hot cocoa mixes can be made in advance and given out as holiday gifts.

This hot chocolate recipe collection includes all these types of hot chocolate recipes, as well as frozen hot chocolate recipes, Mexican hot chocolate recipes, white hot chocolate recipes and more.

Hot Chocolate Recipe Basics

If you've never made true hot chocolate (with melted chocolate) instead of hot cocoa (with cocoa powder), then watch this hot chocolate video or read these hot chocolate preparation tips before trying the recipes below. Alternately, you can opt for hot cocoa recipes.

Classic Hot Chocolate Recipes

These classic hot chocolate recipes are made with melted chocolate, not cocoa powder.

• This basic Hot Chocolate Recipe is made with nothing but milk and chocolate.
• Spanish Hot Chocolate is a classic European drinking chocolate recipe.
• Although some French drinking chocolates are made with water and melted chocolate, Chocolat Chaud is a creamier French drinking chocolate recipe made with milk and water.
• El Submarino is a traditional Argentinian hot chocolate recipe that's fun to make and drink.
• Brown Sugar Hot Chocolate is made with unsweetened chocolate and brown sugar.
• Decadent Hot Chocolate is a frothed hot chocolate made with semisweet and unsweetened chocolate.
• Made with heavy cream and whole milk, Parisian Warm Chocolate is very rich.
• Special Hot Chocolate is prepared in a blender, eliminating the need for constant stirring as the chocolate melts.
• Old-Fashioned Hot Chocolate is a traditional hot chocolate recipe.
• This video explains how to make Hot Chocolate Sticks that can be used to make quick hot chocolate anytime. They are a good alternative to homemade hot cocoa mixes for homemade holiday gifts.
• Campfire Hot Chocolate is perfect for camping trips.

Spiced / Mexican Hot Chocolate Recipes

These spiced and Mexican hot chocolate recipes include ingredients like cinnamon and cayenne.

• Champurrado is a traditional Mexican hot chocolate recipe.
• This Mexican Hot Chocolate features cinnamon and coffee.
• This Mexican Hot Chocolate recipe is made with cinnamon and vanilla.
• Chocolate Caliente has a warming flavor thanks to cinnamon and cloves.
• Aztec Hot Chocolate is prepared with bittersweet chocolate, a vanilla bean, red chili pepper and cinnamon.
• Cinnamon Hot Chocolate is infused with cinnamon for a bold, spicy flavor.
• Chai-Spiced White Hot Chocolate combines the flavors of white hot chocolate and masala chai.

Other Flavored Hot Chocolate Recipes

Spiced hot chocolate will always be a favorite during winter, but orange zest, ginger, almonds and peanut butter can make your hot chocolate truly memorable.

• Milk Chocolate & Orange Cocoa gets its distinctive flavor from freshly grated orange zest. It is made with cocoa powder and melted milk chocolate.
• Orange Mocha combines the flavors of hot chocolate, coffee and orange into one drink.
• Hot Chocolate Peanut Butter Cups and Peanut Butter Hot Chocolate get their nutty flavors from dollops of smooth peanut butter. They're both great for kids.
• Orange Ginger Hot Chocolate is flavored with brown sugar, orange zest and chopped ginger.
• Almond Chocolate Chaud is a French hot chocolate recipe that can be made with or without alcohol.

White Hot Chocolate Recipes

White hot chocolate is a delicious variation on traditional hot chocolate.

• White Chocolate Coffee is a blend of white chocolate, half and half, and coffee.
• White Peppermint Hot Chocolate is a great recipe for the holidays. Kids love it!
• Chai-Spiced White Hot Chocolate combines the flavors of white hot chocolate and masala chai.

Iced / Frozen Hot Chocolate Recipes

Made popular by Serendipity 3 in New York City, frozen hot chocolate is a great drink for dessert or snacks. These recipes range from sparkling beverages to milkshake-like drinks.

• Iced Hot Cocoa can be made with hot chocolate ice cubes for an extra bold flavor.
• Serendipity Frozen Hot Chocolate is a great hot chocolate recipe for kids or adults.
• Frozen Mint Hot Chocolate is made with chocolate malted milk powder, ice cream and peppermint extract.
• Frosty Mocha is a frozen hot chocolate variation made with coffee and ice cream.
• Chocolate Punch is a sparkling, iced hot chocolate recipe that serves 12. Chocolate Italian Soda is similar, but is easier to make and is prepared as a single serving.
• Cold Cocoa Mug is a spiced, iced hot cocoa recipe made with chocolate ice cream.
• Iced Mocha is an icy coffee-and-chocolate drink.
• OK, OK, so this isn't actually frozen iced chocolate, but it is delicious and easy to make: Basic Chocolate Milkshake.
• Brazillian Iced Chocolate features cola and coffee.

Spiked / Alcoholic Hot Chocolate Recipes

Like egg nog, sometimes hot chocolate is better when it's spiked.

• Hot Chocolate for Adults is spiked with rum and hazelnut liqueur.
• The Adult Hot Chocolate Cocktail is also known as a "Peppermint Kiss" thanks to the inclusion of peppermint schnapps.
• Hot Peppermint Patty is hot chocolate spiked with dark creme de cacao, peppermint schnapps and creme de menthe.
• Kiev Chocolate features vanilla vodka and Amaretto.
• Grand Marnier Hot Chocolate gets its orange flavor from Grand Marnier liqueur and orange juice.
• Hot Cocoberry is hot chocolate spiked with coconut rum and raspberry liqueur.
• Hot Scotch Cocoa is made with butterscotch schnapps.
• Almond liqueur gives Almond Chocolate Chaud its nutty flavor.

Large Batch Hot Chocolate Recipes

Looking to entertain a group (or even a crowd) during the holidays? Try one of these large batch hot chocolate recipes:

• White Chocolate Coffee and Mint Chocolate Tea each serve six.
• Hot Cocoa for a Crowd is a basic hot chocolate recipe that serves 12.
• Chocolate Punch is an iced hot chocolate recipe that serves 12.

For healthy, gluten-free, dairy-free & vegan hot chocolate recipes and for hot chocolate dessert recipes, see the links below. For hot cocoa recipes, continue reading page two of this article.

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Chocolate Caliente

A rich hot chocolate recipe, made with real chocolate and whisked with vanilla. A few more pinches of spice gives this recipe a unique but subtle flavour all its own.

Ingredients:

• 4 squares Baker's chocolate
• 2 cups milk, skim
• 3 drops of vanilla
• Cinnamon
• Ground cloves

Preparation:

Break up the chocolate and melt in a saucepan with the milk and vanilla. Don't let it boil. Whisk until foamy and pour into mugs. Top with a pinch of cinnamon and a pinch of cloves.

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The History of Hot Chocolate

Back in the days of the Aztecs, cocoa beans were valuable not only for their culinary importance but also as currency. Cocoa beans were often given as gifts during important ceremonies and festivals. Even so, they also used the roasted beans to make a chocolate drink. Their version is much different from the hot chocolate we know today. The Aztecs actually drank it cold, flavoured with wine and chili peppers, and not at all sweet.

Chocolate was discovered and brought to Europe in the early 1500s by the explorer Cortez. After its introduction in Spain, the drink began to be served hot, sweetened and without the chili peppers. The Spanish were very protective of their wonderful new beverage, and it was over a hundred years before news of it began to spread across Europe.

When it hit London (in the 1700s), chocolate houses became popular and very trendy. It was the English who started adding milk to their chocolate and it was enjoyed as an after-dinner beverage.

It wasn't until the middle of the eighteenth century that chocolate began to evolve past its drinkable form. First, cocoa powder was invented in Holland. Cocoa powder blends much easier with milk or water, allowing for more creations to come. Then came chocolate as a candy by mixing cocoa butter with sugar. In 1876, milk chocolate was developed. From then on, chocolate has become more popular as a solid treat rather than as the drink it started from.

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Top Hot Chocolate Recipes

This recipe collection includes all the top hot chocolate recipes on About.com, including easy hot chocolate recipes, white hot chocolate recipes, spiked hot chocolate recipes, hot cocoa recipes and more.

Easy Hot Chocolate Recipe

This incredibly easy hot chocolate recipe skips over the need for contant stirring by combining the hot milk and chocolate in a blender. Similarly, this kid-friendly hot chocolate recipe is very easy to make, even though it uses chocolate instead of cocoa powder. Yet another easy, kid-friendly hot chocolate recipe is El Submarino, an Argentinian, make-your-own hot chocolate.

Brown Sugar Hot Chocolate Recipe

Lindsey Goodwin

Brown sugar gives this hot chocolate recipe a deeper, richer flavor than most. If you like flavored hot chocolates, check out these recipes for Orange-Ginger Hot Cocoa (pictured here), Almond Chocolat Chaud and Peanut Butter Hot Chocolate

Aztec Chili Hot Chocolate Recipe

The Aztecs were the first people to prepare chocolate as a beverage. Although their version of drinking chocolate was very different from contemporary hot chocolate, one trait has remained -- the use of chili peppers for extra flavor. This Aztec hot chocolate recipe calls for one split, seeded red chili for two servings, but you can adjust the level of spice to suit yor tastes.

Chocolate Caliente (Cinnamon Hot Chocolate) Recipe

This spiced hot chocolate recipe includes vanilla, cloves and cinnamon. Other cinnamon hot chocolate recipes worth checking out include Mexican Hot Chocolate with Coffee and Cinnamon, Mexican Hot Chocolate with Cinnamon and Vanilla and Cinnamon Hot Chocolate.

President's Hot Chocolate Recipe

This creamy hot chocolate recipe has been served in the White House. It is gets its dense flavor from milk and light cream, but it's easy to make, as it is a hot cocoa recipe (a recipe made with cocoa powder rather than melted chocolate). For a frothier texture, whisk it just before serving.

Parisian Hot Chocolate Recipe

Decadent and delicious, Parisian Hot Chocolate calls for whole milk and heavy cream. If you like this recipe, you might also like French Chocolat Chaud from About.com French Food.

Peppermint White Hot Chocolate Recipe

White chocolate and peppermint make this hot chocolate recipe more refreshing than most. If you prefer white hot chocolate, be sure to also try these recipes for White Chocolate Coffee and Chai-Spiced White Hot Chocolate.

Spanish Hot Chocolate Recipe

This hot chocolate recipe produces a thick, viscous hot chocolate that is meant to be sipped in small quantities. There are two versions of the recipe -- one with baking chocolate and another with sweetened chocolate.

Decadent Hot Chocolate Recipe

This hot chocolate recipe features two kinds of chocolate, plus half and half, for an extra-rich flavor. It's also whipped for a frothy texture.

Grand Marnier Hot Chocolate Recipe

This spiked hot chocolate recipe includes orange juice and, of course, Grand Marnier. If you like your hot chocolate with alcohol, check out Hot Chocolate for Adults (which is made with rum and Frangelico hazelnut liqueur), Kiev Chocolate (hot cocoa with vodka and Amaretto) and Hot Scotch Cocoa (hot cocoa with Butterscotch Schnapps).

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Hot Chocolate Recipes

If you want to make hot chocolate from melted chocolate, then see these hot chocolate recipes. If you want to make instant hot chocolate, hot cocoa from cocoa powder, hot chocolate mix or hot chocolate from chocolate syrup, then read on...

Cocoa Powder / Instant Hot Cocoa Recipes

These easy hot cocoa recipes are all made with instant cocoa mix or cocoa powder.

• If you're looking for a classic hot cocoa recipe, look no further than this easy Hot Cocoa Recipe.
• This Basic Hot Cocoa Recipe explains how to make enough cocoa to serve one or to serve 12.
• Hot Cocoa With Marshmallows is a classic hot cocoa recipe.
• Let Slow Cooker Hot Chocolate simmer while you're cooking a holiday meal or outside enjoying the snow.
• Although it's made with cocoa powder, President's Hot Chocolate has a rich flavor, thanks to the inclusion of light cream and whipped cream.
• Easy Hot Cocoa is prepared with sweetened condensed milk and coca powder.
• Mint Chocolate Tea uses mint tea in lieu of water for a more refreshing, wintery flavor. Similarly, Chai-Peppermint Cocoa uses cocoa powder and peppermint-flavored chai concentrate for a spiced, minty flavor.
• Milk Chocolate & Orange Cocoa gets its distinctive flavor from freshly grated orange zest. It is made with cocoa powder and melted milk chocolate.
• Orange Ginger Hot Chocolate is made with hot cocoa powder, brown sugar, orange zest and chopped ginger.
• Instant Cinnamon Coffee Cocoa is so easy to make, you can even prepare it with a microwave or campfire.
• Spiced Hot Cocoa is enlivened with cinnamon, nutmeg and vanilla.

Hot Cocoa Mix Recipes

Hot cocoa mixes can be made ahead of time for quick, flavorful hot cocoa anytime. They also make good homemade holiday gifts.

• Gourmet Hot Cocoa Mix is a rich blend of cocoa powder, chocolate malted milk and non-fat powdered milk and creamer.
• Spiced Cocoa Mix gets its kick from cloves, cinnamon and cardamom.
• White Hot Chocolate Mix is made with grated white chocolate, white chocolate pudding mix and dried orange peel.
• This Homemade Hot Cocoa Mix Recipe includes mini marshmallows.
• This basic Hot Cocoa Mix Recipe is made of nonfat fry milk powder, powdered nondairy coffee creamer, powdered sugar and unsweetened cocoa powder.
• Easy Hot Chocolate Mix is made with chocolate milk powder, powdered milk, non-dairy creamer and powdered sugar.
• Hot Chocolate in a Jar is a fun family project for the holidays.

Chocolate Syrup Hot Chocolate Recipes

As a liquid ingredient, chocolate syrup is much easier to mix into milk or water than cocoa powder. It's a great choice for those who want to make hot chocolate as quickly as easily as possible. All of these recipes use chocolate syrup:

• Coffee Hot Chocolate includes hot coffee, instant coffee, various spices and whipped cream.
• Peanut Butter Hot Chocolate is made with chocolate syrup and smooth peanut butter. It's a good option for kids.
• This Hot Chocolate Recipe is easy enough for kids and teens to make.

For recipes made with melted chocolate, see these hot chocolate recipes.

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Hot Chocolate for Adults

Don't bother chopping up chocolate, this recipe calls for easy-to-use chocolate chips. This is a pretty strong but mellow hot chocolate cocktail.

Ingredients:

• 3 cups milk
• 1/2 cup chocolate chips
• 1 cup half-n-half
• 1/2 cup rum
• 1/2 cup sugar
• 1/2 cup hazelnut liqueur (Frangelico)

Preparation:

You don't really need to chop the chocolate chips, but you can if you want the chocolate to melt really quickly. Melt the chocolate in a double boiler, or whatever method you prefer.

In another small saucepan heat milk, half-n-half cream and sugar to almost boiling. Stir until sugar is dissolved. Add 1 cup of the hot milk mixture to the chocolate and mix well. Pour into the rest of the milk and stir until smooth. Pour in rum and liqueur. Heat the finished hot chocolate through, and serve.

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Top Hot Chocolate Recipes

In fall and winter, hot chocolate recipes aresome of the most popular things on this site. Over the last few years, I've added a few hot chocolate recipes, some tips for great hot chocolate and two large collections of hot chocolate recipes and hot cocoa recipes.

More recently, I recently updated an older list of top hot chocolate recipes. The new list is a "top ten" list that includes newer recipes, photos, related recipes and updated descriptions. I hope you enjoy it, and find plenty of new recipes to try this fall and winter!

Photo (c) Lindsey Goodwin
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Aztec Chili Hot Chocolate

The Aztecs were the first to serve chocolate as a drink, but they also mixed it with hot chili pepper to make a really special beverage. Try something exotic with your hot chocolate today. You can always reduce the amount of chili if it's too hot for you.

Ingredients:

• 1 2/3 cups milk
• 1/2 vanilla bean, split lengthwise
• 1 red chili pepper, split with seeds removed
• 1 cinnamon stick, around 3-4"
• 1 1/2 oz chocolate (bittersweet)

Preparation:

Simmer milk in a saucepan with vanilla bean, cinnamon and chili. Heat through for about a minute. Whisk in grated chocolate, and continue to simmer until melted. Remove from heat and let 'steep' for another 10 minutes. Strain out the spices and serve. Serves 2.

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Chocolate Covered Coffee Beans Recipes

Coffee can be used as an ingredient in many food recipes ranging from savory (coffee barbecue sauce) to sweet (coffee chocolate truffles), but most coffee fans find that they prefer the classic combination of coffee and chocolate.

The pairing of coffee and chocolate doesn't get much simpler than chocolate-covered coffee beans. As a snack, a pick-me-up, a coffee pairing or a gift, chocolate-covered coffee beans are a delicious way to enjoy coffee and chocolate together. They can be prepared in a variety of ways, but I like these two easy chocolate covered coffee beans recipes, which use either chocolate chips or cocoa powder and chocolate pieces to create the coating for the roasted coffee beans. For an added twist, try making your chocolate-covered coffee beans with flavored coffee beans or with home-roasted coffee beans.

Do you make chocolate-covered coffee beans at home? Share your tips with other About.com readers in the comments below!

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Death by Chocolate

Chocolate lovers rejoice! This cocktail is appropriately named Death by Chocolate because it is heavy on the chocolate and is sure to kill your craving. Be careful not to over indulge.

Prep Time: 5 minutes

Total Time: 5 minutes

Yield: 1 Drink

Ingredients:

• 2 scoops chocolate ice cream
• 1 oz chocolate syrup
• 1 oz coffee liqueur
• 1 oz dark creme de cacao
• 1 oz vodka
• whipped cream for topping
• maraschino cherry for garnish
• 1 cup crushed ice

Preparation:

1. Pour all the ingredients into a blender.
2. Blend until smooth.
3. Pour into a stemmed glass such as a hurricane glass.
4. Top with whipped cream.
5. Garnish with the maraschino cherry.

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