Decadent Cherry Chocolate Truffles in Just 3 Steps

Oh my goodness, let me tell you about these little bites of heaven! Cherry chocolate truffles have been my go-to fancy-but-easy dessert ever since I discovered how magical cherries and dark chocolate taste together. I still remember the first time I made them – my friend’s eyes practically rolled back in her head after one bite! That rich dark chocolate ganache hugging a sweet cherry surprise inside? Absolute perfection.

What I love most is how these cherry chocolate truffles look so elegant but couldn’t be simpler to make. No baking required – just melt, mix, and roll! They’re perfect for when you need something impressive fast (I’ve definitely saved a few dinner parties with these). The cocoa powder coating gives them that classic truffle look while keeping things delightfully messy – you’ll have chocolatey fingers and a big smile after making these.

Why You’ll Love These Cherry Chocolate Truffles

Let me count the ways these little gems will steal your heart (and probably your willpower)! First off, they’re no-bake – which means no oven drama, no waiting around, just pure chocolatey goodness in minutes. The rich dark chocolate paired with that sweet-tart cherry center? It’s like a flavor explosion in every bite. And get this – they look fancy enough for a dinner party but are simple enough for a Tuesday night treat. My favorite part? That moment when you bite in and discover the cherry surprise inside – gets me every time!

Ingredients for Cherry Chocolate Truffles

Okay, let’s talk ingredients – and trust me, quality matters here! For the absolute best cherry chocolate truffles, you’ll want:

• 8 oz dark chocolate – finely chopped (I use 70% cocoa, but go darker if you’re brave!)
• ½ cup heavy cream – makes the ganache luxuriously smooth
• 2 tablespoons unsalted butter – adds that melt-in-your-mouth quality
• ½ teaspoon vanilla extract – my secret flavor booster
• ½ cup cherry preserves – or cherry pie filling if you want bigger cherry pieces
• ¼ cup unsweetened cocoa powder – for that classic truffle dusting

A quick tip from my many (many) batches: splurge on good chocolate here – it makes all the difference between “okay” and “oh wow!” And don’t skip the butter – it’s what gives these truffles their irresistible silky texture.

Equipment You’ll Need

Don’t worry – you won’t need any fancy gadgets for these cherry chocolate truffles! Just grab:

• A heatproof bowl (glass works great) for melting that chocolate
• A small saucepan to heat the cream
• Measuring spoons – because eyeballing vanilla extract never ends well
• A rubber spatula for stirring (trust me, you’ll want every last bit of that ganache!)
• An airtight container to store your gorgeous truffles

That’s it! Oh, and maybe some paper towels nearby – things might get a little chocolatey (but that’s half the fun).

How to Make Cherry Chocolate Truffles

Alright, let’s get to the fun part – making these gorgeous little cherry chocolate truffles! I promise it’s easier than you think, and I’ll walk you through every step. Just follow along, and you’ll have restaurant-quality truffles in no time.

Preparing the Chocolate Ganache

First things first – the ganache! This is the heart of our truffles. Chop your dark chocolate nice and fine (smaller pieces melt better – learned that the hard way!). Pour the cream into your saucepan and heat it until you see tiny bubbles around the edges – but don’t let it boil! Now here’s my favorite part: pour that hot cream over your chocolate and just walk away for 2 minutes. Magic happens while you wait! Come back, add the butter and vanilla, and stir slowly until it turns into this gorgeous, glossy pool of chocolate heaven. If you see any stubborn bits, just pop the bowl over simmering water for 10 seconds – they’ll melt right in.

Shaping and Filling the Truffles

After your ganache chills for about an hour (patience, I know!), it’s playtime! Scoop about a tablespoon of ganache and flatten it slightly in your palm. Now add just a tiny dollop of cherry preserves – about ¼ teaspoon (too much and it’ll ooze out!). Carefully fold the chocolate around the cherry, then roll gently between your palms to form a ball. Pro tip: if your hands get too sticky, run them under cold water and dry them well. The first one might look a bit rough – mine always do – but you’ll get the hang of it fast!

Coating and Chilling

Now for the finishing touch – that beautiful cocoa powder coating! Pour your cocoa powder into a shallow bowl. Roll each truffle gently in the powder until it’s completely covered – like they’re wearing little chocolate coats. I like to do this part over parchment paper because, well, cocoa powder gets everywhere! Pop them in the fridge for about 20 minutes to set (if you can wait that long). That’s it! You’ve just made professional-looking cherry chocolate truffles that’ll impress everyone. See? I told you it was easy!

Tips for Perfect Cherry Chocolate Truffles

After making more batches of these cherry chocolate truffles than I can count (okay fine, I lost count after batch #12), I’ve learned all the tricks to make them foolproof! First – don’t skimp on the chocolate. That fancy bar you’ve been saving? Now’s the time! Cheap chocolate makes grainy truffles, and nobody wants that. Second – chill your ganache properly. If it’s too soft, you’ll have cherry lava hands (been there!). About an hour in the fridge does the trick. And whatever you do, resist overfilling with cherry preserves – a little goes a long way, and too much will leak out. Trust me on this one!

Variations and Substitutions

Oh, the fun we can have with these truffles! While I’m wild about the classic dark chocolate-cherry combo, sometimes it’s fun to mix things up. If dark chocolate’s not your thing, milk chocolate makes a sweeter, kid-friendly version (just reduce the cream by a tablespoon). Swap the cherry preserves for raspberry jam or orange marmalade if you’re feeling fancy. And that cocoa powder coating? Try rolling your truffles in finely chopped nuts, coconut flakes, or even crushed freeze-dried strawberries for a colorful twist. The possibilities are endless – just don’t tell Grandma I messed with the original!

Serving and Storing Cherry Chocolate Truffles

Here’s how to make your cherry chocolate truffles shine! For special occasions, I love arranging them in pretty paper liners on a vintage cake stand – looks like you bought them from a fancy chocolatier! They’ll keep beautifully in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 2 weeks (if they last that long). Pro tip: let them sit at room temperature for 10 minutes before serving – that slight softening makes the chocolate taste even richer. For gifting, layer them between parchment in a cute tin – just add a ribbon and watch faces light up!

Nutritional Information

Just so you know, each of these irresistible cherry chocolate truffles clocks in at about 120 calories – totally worth it in my book! The exact numbers might dance around a bit depending on your chocolate brand or how generous you are with the cherry filling. My philosophy? Life’s too short to stress over truffle calories – savor every bite!

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I freeze these cherry chocolate truffles?
Absolutely! These little beauties freeze like a dream. Just arrange them in a single layer on a parchment-lined tray, freeze until solid (about 2 hours), then transfer to an airtight container with parchment between layers. They’ll keep for up to 3 months. Thaw in the fridge overnight – they’ll taste just as amazing as the day you made them!

What can I use instead of cherry preserves?
Oh, get creative! Raspberry jam gives a lovely tart contrast, while orange marmalade adds a citrusy zing. I’ve even used strawberry jam in a pinch – just strain out any big fruit chunks. If you’re feeling extra fancy, try a spoonful of Nutella for a chocolate-hazelnut surprise inside!

My ganache is too soft – help!
No worries – happens to me all the time! Just pop it back in the fridge for another 30 minutes. If you’re really in a hurry, 15 minutes in the freezer will do the trick. The key is being able to scoop it without it sticking to your fingers like glue!

Share Your Cherry Chocolate Truffles

I’d absolutely love to see your cherry chocolate truffle creations! Did you add your own twist? Maybe some crushed pistachios or a dash of cinnamon? Drop a comment below with your experience – I read every single one. And if you snap a photo, share it with me! Nothing makes me happier than seeing your chocolatey masterpieces.

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