Classic Dark Chocolate Truffles

Measure and heat the cream

Measure the cream and pour it into a small saucepan. Bring it gently to a boil. You should see small bubbles forming around the edges and smell the warm dairy aroma.

Melt the butter into the cream

Add the butter to the hot cream and allow it to melt completely. Stir gently until the mixture looks smooth and glossy.

Prepare the chocolate

Break the chocolate into small pieces and place in a mixing bowl. Smaller pieces melt more evenly.

Create the ganache

Pour the hot cream and butter mixture over the chocolate. Let it sit for 30 seconds, then whisk gently from the center outward.

Grind the hazelnuts

Place the hazelnuts in a blender. Grind until fine but leave small pieces for texture.

Add hazelnuts to ganache

Stir the ground hazelnuts into the chocolate mixture until evenly distributed.

Add cognac

Add a small splash of cognac. Stir gently.

Chill the filling

Cover the surface directly with cling film (press it gently onto the ganache to prevent a skin from forming).

Melt the coating chocolate

Break the chocolate into pieces. Place in a bowl over a bain-marie (a heatproof bowl over gently simmering water). Do not let the bowl touch the water. Heat on moderate heat.

Stir until smooth

Melt the chocolate slowly and stir with a spatula.

Prepare finishing station

Place cocoa powder in a shallow bowl. Fill a cup with warm water, this helps shape smooth truffles.

Shape the truffles

Remove the firm ganache from the refrigerator. Warm a small spoon in the cup of hot water, dry it, and scoop a portion of ganache. Form small oval balls.

Repeat warming the spoon for smooth shaping.

Dip in chocolate

Roll each ganache ball briefly in melted chocolate. Lift carefully using a dipping fork.

Let excess chocolate drip off.

Coat with cocoa

Transfer immediately into the cocoa powder. Roll gently until fully coated.

Set the truffles

Allow the chocolate shell and cocoa layer to set completely at room temperature or briefly in the refrigerator.

Perfect alongside black coffee or as an after-dinner treat.

Don't waste leftovers

Remaining chocolate and cocoa powder can be used to prepare fresh hot chocolate milk.