Chocolate truffles

These truffles are easy to make, adored by children and adults, easy to make, kids love getting messy making them and then giving them as presents.

Ready

• 240g dark chocolate (at least 60% cocoa solids)
• 150g whipping cream
• 2 teaspoons liquid glucose (available from most chemists in UK) or golden syrup
• 34g unsalted butter at room temperature
• cocoa powder
• chopped nuts
• dessicated coconut

Set

• sharp knife
• chopping board
• heat-proof bowl
• saucepan
• beaters
• fine sieve
• container
• small ice-cream scoop or 2 teaspoons
• shallow bowl

Go

1. Roughly chop the chocolate and put to one side in a large bowl.
2. Place the cream and glucose into a saucepan.
3. Then heat gently.
4. As soon as it simmers, pour over chocolate.
5. Stir until all the chocolate has melted.
6. Beat the butter into the chocolate and cream mixture, trying not to get any air into it.
7. Pour through a fine sieve into a clean dry container.
8. Refrigerate until set (at least 2 hours)
9. Once set, use a small ice-cream scoop (about 2cm diameter) to form small balls. Alternatively use 2 teaspoons.
10. Dust with cocoa powder or, for variation, roll in chopped nuts or coconut.

What you should know

N.B. Use very good quality chocolate, at least 60% cocoa solids, it makes all the difference.

Store the truffles in a cool place until just before serving, because if they are warm they will become sticky and may melt.