Peppermint Truffles Recipe | Downshiftology (2024)

Home Recipes Courses Desserts Peppermint Truffles

by Lisa Bryan

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Updated Nov 27, 2021

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Peppermint truffles are rich, creamy, and melt in your mouth with every bite. Sounds like a chocolate lover’s dream right? Not only are these truffles made with just 4 ingredients, but they’re also dairy-free, gluten-free and vegan.

Peppermint Truffles Recipe | Downshiftology (2)

I’ve been in a bit of chocolate frenzy, which started with my paleo chocolate zucchini bread. But, I’m concluding this month with a special chocolate delicacy just in time for my birthday weekend!

If you’ve been following me for some time now, you know that a mint chocolate cake has been a birthday tradition since I was 6 years old. But, since I was diagnosed with celiac several years ago, I’ve challenged myself to create new variations of gluten-free mint chocolate recipes (you can see them all listed below).

So for this year’s birthday, I’ve decided to make something I’ve never done before: peppermint truffles. These bite sized treats are filled with a velvety ganache and have a refreshing peppermint undertone. They’re easy, decadent and delicious.

Which Peppermint Extract To Use

One thing to note is that you want to use peppermint extract, and not mint extract. The bottles may look the same, but there is a difference in flavors. Peppermint extract is derived from pure peppermint oil, where as mint comes from a combination of mint plants.

While there are tons of peppermint extracts to choose from, I personally prefer Neilsen-Massey Peppermint Extract. I use this extract for almost all my chocolate recipes, because it reminds of a refreshing peppermint patty.

How to Make Peppermint Truffles

Making this peppermint truffle recipe couldn’t be easier. Watch the video below for quick step-by-step instructions and tips:

  1. Create a double boiler. Then reduce the heat into a simmer and place a glass bowl on top of the pot.
  2. Heat the coconut milk by adding it into the bowl for 2-3 minutes until it’s warm.
  3. Add the chocolate chips into the bowl and slowly stir until the mixture becomes silky smooth.
  4. Remove the bowl from the double boiler and stir in the peppermint extract.
  5. Let the ganache cool for about 2 hours in the fridge.
  6. Scoop out the ganache from the bowl using a small cookie scooper, then use your hands to gently roll them into a ball. Note that this can be a messy process! Be quick to roll them because the mixture will melt from the heat of your hands.
  7. Roll the balls in cacao powder, or any coating of your choice, and set them on a serving dish.
  8. Place in the fridge to let it firm for about 15 minutes. Then enjoy!

Peppermint Truffles Recipe | Downshiftology (3)

Serving and Storing Chocolate Truffles

While chocolate truffles taste extremely delicious unadorned, rolling them in nuts, powdered sugar, sprinkles, or cacao powder takes them to the next level. You can even dip them in tempered chocolate for a hard outside and soft inside. But for my peppermint truffles, I chose to coat them in cacao powder.

The truffles are best kept in the fridge and served cold (in my opinion), as they’re a bit firmer and hold their shape better. But they will hold up at room temperature. They’ll just be a bit softer.

You can also make the truffles ahead of time for a party, holiday or function. Store them in the fridge for up to 2 weeks in a storage container.

PRO TIP: You can remove any excess cacao powder by rolling them between your hands again after they’ve chilled. This will remove any excess powder that might otherwise fall off when bitten into (as I’ve done in the photos).

Peppermint Truffles Recipe | Downshiftology (4)

Peppermint Truffles Recipe | Downshiftology (5)

Peppermint Truffles Recipe | Downshiftology (6)

More Chocolate Peppermint Recipes

If you love the chocolate peppermint combo like I do, here are my past birthday recipes to enjoy:

  • Mint Double Chocolate Chip Cookies (2018 birthday)
  • Chocolate Peppermint Slice (2017 birthday)
  • Mini Skillet Brownies with Mint Chocolate Chip Ice Cream (2016 birthday)

And if you just want straight up chocolate, indulge in my Paleo Chocolate Cake, Chocolate Chia Pudding or Chocolate Mug Cake. All three are reader favorites!

Peppermint Truffles Recipe | Downshiftology (7)

Peppermint Truffles

4.94 from 16 votes

Prep: 15 minutes mins

Cook: 5 minutes mins

Chilling Time: 2 hours hrs

Total: 2 hours hrs 20 minutes mins

Servings: 16 servings

Author: Lisa Bryan

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Description

Made with just 4 ingredients, these peppermint truffles are rich in chocolate flavor and have a smooth ganache texture. Watch the video above to see how quickly they come together!

Video

Ingredients

Instructions

  • Create a double boiler. Fill a small sized pot 1/4 full with water and bring it to a boil. Then reduce the heat to a simmer and place a glass bowl on top of the pot.

  • Heat the coconut milk by adding it into the bowl for 2-3 minutes until it becomes warm.

  • Add the chocolate chips to the same bowl and slowly stir until the mixture has a silky smooth texture.

  • Remove the bowl from the double boiler and stir in the peppermint extract.

  • Place the chocolate ganache mixture in the fridge and let it cool for about 2 hours.

  • Scoop out the chocolate ganache from the bowl using a small cookie scoop, then use your hands to gently roll it into a ball.

  • Roll the balls immediately in cacao powder and set them on a plate.

  • Place the plate in the fridge for about 15 minutes to firm up. Then serve and enjoy!

Lisa's Tips

  • You want to use the coconut milk that is full fat from the can, not the coconut milk in the carton from the refrigerated section at the market.
  • To make these paleo, use either Hu Kitchen Gems or Eating Evolved Chocolate Chips. Both are chocolate sweetened with coconut sugar.
  • Truffles are best kept in the fridge and can be stored for up to 2 weeks.

Nutrition

Calories: 92kcal | Carbohydrates: 12g | Protein: 1g | Fat: 5g | Saturated Fat: 3g | Cholesterol: 3mg | Sodium: 12mg | Potassium: 25mg | Fiber: 1g | Sugar: 11g | Vitamin A: 38IU | Vitamin C: 1mg | Calcium: 21mg | Iron: 1mg

Course: Dessert

Cuisine: American

Keyword: Chocolate Truffles, Peppermint Truffle Recipe, Peppermint Truffles, Vegan truffles

©Downshiftology. Content and photographs are copyright protected. Sharing of this recipe is both encouraged and appreciated. Copying and/or pasting full recipes to any social media is strictly prohibited.

Did you make this recipe?Mention @downshiftology or tag #downshiftology!

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About the author

Lisa Bryan

Lisa is a bestselling cookbook author, recipe developer, and YouTuber (with over 2.5 million subscribers) living in sunny Southern California. She started Downshiftology in 2014, and is passionate about making healthy food with fresh, simple and seasonal ingredients.

Read More About Me

Peppermint Truffles Recipe | Downshiftology (2024)

FAQs

How long do homemade truffles last? ›

Homemade truffles can last up to 2 weeks in the refrigerator and for up to 6 months in the freezer. For the best texture and flavor, bring them to room temperature before serving. Even if you're planning on gifting your chocolate truffles, be sure to store them in the fridge or freezer.

How do you firm up a truffle mixture? ›

If your ganache isn't firm enough to scoop into balls, you can chill it in the fridge to harden. Or, whip it very briefly until the color just begins to lighten—about 30 seconds on medium-low with a hand mixer. Let it set again and it will firm up. Roll the truffles in cocoa powder, shaking off any excess cocoa.

Why are truffles so creamy? ›

Traditional truffles are made from ganache—melted chocolate combined with heavy cream—so it's important to use a 2:1 ratio of chocolate to cream.

What if my truffle mixture is too sticky? ›

What do I do if the truffle mixture is too sticky? If your chocolate truffles are sticky when you're rolling them into balls, it's probably because they aren't fully set yet. Place them back in the fridge until the chocolate is very firm, but still soft enough to form into shape.

Why truffles are so expensive? ›

Why are truffles so expensive? Pound for pound, truffle is one of the most expensive foods you can buy. The reason behind such high costs is the scarcity of the produce, truffles are seasonal, extremely difficult to grow, and take many years to cultivate. They also have a short shelf life.

Why do truffles go bad? ›

Furthermore, truffles are typically more than 70% water and will naturally lose 2 or 3 % of their body weight per day (moisture), so if you wait too long, they will rot or dry-out. We have given your truffles a quick clean, however, you may wish to clean them further before using them.

What is a substitute for heavy cream in truffles? ›

Full-fat coconut milk or a blend of coconut milk and coconut cream are an ideal substitute for heavy cream. The truffles in this photo are made from canned coconut milk; I recommend choosing a brand that is in a container that doesn't contain BPA.

Can you freeze homemade truffles? ›

To give as presents, place 8-10 truffles in individual foil or paper cases inside small, lined boxes tied with ribbon. Keep in the fridge until you're ready to give them. Will keep in an airtight container in the fridge for three days, or frozen for up to a month. Defrost in the fridge overnight.

What enhances truffle flavor? ›

Truffles and Olives/Olive Oil

The fruity, slightly bitter taste of olives and olive oil beautifully complements the umami-rich flavor of truffles. Drizzle truffle-infused olive oil over an olive tapenade for an extra depth of flavor.

Why is truffle so addictive? ›

Truffles are underground fungi that have a mycorrhizal relationship with the host tree where they grow. They flourish slightly beneath the surface of the earth, growing on the roots of different trees. Truffles are irresistible because their aroma is composed of chemicals that mimic mammalian reproductive pheromones.

Why can't I taste truffle? ›

Whilst total anosmia is extremely rare, partial anosmia, the inability to taste a small number of specific flavours, is actually quite common. Amazingly, up to 30% of the population cannot detect androstenone, which is one of the chemicals used in scent-based truffle hunting.

Why does my truffle have no taste? ›

Later in the season summer truffles start to develop a pleasant – but still fairly mild – earthy and mushroomy flavour. In the earlier part of their season they are almost completely without taste or aroma – you might as well grate cardboard onto your food – they're used for appearance only.

What kind of chocolate is best for truffles? ›

Chocolate chips are great for recipes like chocolate chip cookies where we want the chips to stay mostly intact, but here want to reach for quality chocolate bars which are sold as 4 ounce bars in the baking aisle. Use milk chocolate for sweeter truffles or semi-sweet/dark chocolate for extra rich truffles.

Why do I hate truffle so much? ›

However, similar to cilantro, it seems the real answer as to why some people dislike truffles may come down to genetics. Androstenone is the appealing chemical present in truffles that gives them their signature earthy and musky scent.

Do you need to refrigerate truffle paste? ›

Does it require refrigeration after opening? A:This truffle paste is very aromatic, so one jar will be enough for several dishes. Once opened it needs to be stored refrigerated and used within the time frame indicated on the jar.

Do homemade truffles go bad? ›

Filled chocolates, such as truffles, keep for about three to four months (unless they're full of preservatives).

How do you store homemade truffles? ›

As for truffles, bonbons, and other chocolate confections, Gancia recommends storing them in a sealed container at room temperature: "Keep them in a cool, dry, dark place away from heat, moisture, and strong scents."

Do you need to refrigerate homemade truffles? ›

Keep truffles in a cool, dark place and keep them dry. Because truffles are generally a much softer consistency than tempered chocolate, it's more likely that you will need to put them in the fridge in warm weather. As with tempered chocolate, make sure the truffles are well wrapped and in an airtight container.

How do you know if truffles have gone bad? ›

Fresh truffles should be firm, not spongey. Over time, they will gradually soften a little and there is nothing wrong with them at this point. But the carbohydrate within the truffle is breaking down, releasing moisture, and therefore, the precious aroma. If they become squidgy and wet – they have perished.

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