Need a last-minute gift? These chocolate orange truffles are ridiculously easy to make, but taste just as good as anything you can buy.
Sometimes, when I want to give a last-minute gift, I turn to food.
Usually I go for chocolate bark, which I love ‘personalising’ for whoever I’m giving it to. Like this mango & pistachio version, which was a roaring success. Or this Easter chocolate bark, which can actually be adapted to suit any occasion.
Why I think these are the best chocolate truffles
- They taste really ‘orange-y’. Ever had a flavoured chocolate only to be disappointed when you can hardly taste the flavour? The orange flavour in these contrasts perfectly with the buttery dark chocolate.
- You bite into a hard milk chocolate coating – yum. But then inside there’s a soft, rich and creamy truffle. Fan of those yummy orange Lindt balls? They’re a bit like those! Yum (did I say that already?).
- They look kind of cool. Like little chocolate ‘kisses’ rather than perfectly round truffles. Perfect to package in a glass jar or gift bag or box and give as a gift.
These are ‘kind’ of like the orange flavour Lindor truffles we all know and love. Not exactly, but near enough, and just as delicious!
What ingredients you need
You only need 6 simple ingredients to make these.
- chocolate (of course!): Both dark and milk. Dark for the squidgy inside and milk for the outside shell.
- butter: Just a bit. For a buttery, silky texture.
- cream: This forms the basis of the truffle centre. Mmmm.
- brown sugar: As if they weren’t sweet enough 😉
- an orange: Both the zest and the juice for a super orange-y flavour.
- a pinch of salt: Makes all the difference!
How to make them
These orange truffles are super easy to make in four simple steps.
Step 1: Put broken dark chocolate, orange zest and a bit of butter in a bowl.
Step 2: Heat up cream and sugar. Pour it over the chocolate mixture in the bowl. Let the heat from the cream and sugar melt the chocolate for a few minutes.
Step 3: Stir in a bit of salt and orange juice (= more yummy orange flavour), then pop in the fridge for at least a few hours to set.
Step 4: Melt milk chocolate. Form small balls of truffle mixture, then dip them into the chocolate. Let set on a baking tray. Sprinkle with cocoa if you like.
Rustic or classic truffle shapes… both are yummy!
Don’t be surprised if the truffle mixture is quite soft. The consistency varies a bit according to what kind of chocolate you use.
The end result can be very rustic looking.
But sprinkle a little cocoa over the top of the finished truffles when the chocolate is still wet and you’ll be amazed how classy the truffles look.
If you prefer a classic round truffle shape, leave the truffle mixture in the fridge overnight and it should become firm enough to roll into neat balls.
Ways to adapt them
Hard to believe, but you might be able to make these truffles even yummier!
- For those who like to live dangerously, replace a tablespoon of the orange juice with a tablespoon of Grand Marnier!
- Instead of sprinkling cocoa over the top of the truffles, shave some little pieces of orange peel with a peeler and pile them on top.
- Try using white chocolate for the inside instead. Add just half the amount of cream though.
- Try different flavours. Skip the orange and add 2 teaspoons instant coffee powder instead. Or 1 teaspoon peppermint extract. Or finely chopped nuts. Use caramel sauce instead of brown sugar and add 1/2 teaspoon more salt for caramel truffles. Or how about finely chopped cherries and a tablespoon of cherry liqueur? (now you’re talking)
These easy truffles make perfect gifts!
I think you’ll be pleased with these truffles no matter what. This is one delicious truffle, and definitely worthy of giving as a gift.
They make perfect Mother’s or Father’s Day gifts, Christmas or birthday gifts, or after dinner treats.
If I want to give my truffles as a gift, I sometimes package them up by piling them into the corner of a large see-through food bag such as a roasting bag (of all things!).
This works for any kind of food gift, including the ones below!
Love chocolate orange desserts? You’ll also love this really good, really simple chocolate orange cake!
More easy chocolate food gift ideas
- These addictive peanut butter cheerio bars make a great gift. Make them with your kids, then package them up in a nice box.
- I love these super easy chocolate lollipops. Another easy one to make with the kids!
- These are the easiest homemade chocolate biscuits AKA chocolate pretzels! They also make fantastic gifts.
- This list of 11 easy homemade chocolate ideas has some great ideas, too, especially for Christmas!
- If you’ve never made chocolate bark, you have to try it. It’s ridiculously easy!
- All the above too much effort? Make chocolate rocks! All you need is chocolate and nuts. Dried fruit optional!
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The best chocolate orange truffles
Equipment (affiliate links)
Ingredients (UK/Australia? Click below for grams/ml)
- 4 ounces dark chocolate I used 70% cocoa content
- 2 tablespoons butter chopped into pieces
- ½ cup heavy/double cream
- 3 tablespoons brown sugar
- 1 orange the juice of half, the zest of the whole
- 9 ounces milk chocolate
- a little cocoa powder to decorate
Instructions
- Break up the dark chocolate and put it in the bowl with the butter and orange zest.
- Heat the cream and sugar together on a low to medium heat until it almost comes to the boil.
- Pour the cream and sugar mixture over the chocolate and butter and leave it to stand for a couple of minutes to allow the chocolate and butter to melt.
- Stir the mixture until smooth, add a pinch of salt and the orange juice, then stir well again. Cover and put in the fridge for a few hours (or even overnight) to firm up.
- When the mixture is firm, break up two thirds of the milk chocolate into a bowl and melt it in the microwave in 30-second spurts (alternatively, melt it over a bowl over a pan of simmering hot water, without allowing the bowl to touch the water). When the chocolate is melted, add the last third of chocolate* and allow it to melt into the rest, then give it a good stir.
- Scoop up teaspoonsful of truffle mixture, roll or pat them into a rough ball, then dip them into the melted milk chocolate on the spoon. Quickly tip them out onto a sheet of baking paper to set. Sprinkle immediately with a little cocoa powder.
Notes
Recipe credit
Recipe based on perfect chocolate truffles (Guardian life and style section).The easiest way to ‘temper’ the chocolate
We add the last third of the milk chocolate to the already-melted chocolate as a quick and easy way to ‘temper’ it (to keep it shiny rather than matt and potentially crumbly).How to package the truffles
Try packaging the truffles by piling them into the corner of a meat roasting bag
and tying the top with a nice piece of ribbon. They look beautiful and are perfect to give as a gift like this!
Meggan Hill says
Chocolate and orange are such a magical combination, aren’t they? 🙂 It sounds like you are a better friend than I am, I never make chocolates for anyone! I love your rustic approach. I think your chocolate bark looks pretty good too!
Helen says
Hi, Meggan! Hehe … I did make myself sound like a good friend, didn’t I? I have to admit though that this chocolate-making frenzy for friends’ birthdays has started rather recently. So happy that you like the ‘rustic’ approach. Haha! 🙂
Fish Fingers for tea says
Ha, we sound far too similar when it comes to gifts! My go to gifts for other people are bark and truffles, with the occasional package of fudge or brownies. Even if they are on the rustic side I don’t think I’ve anything but a positive reaction. And chocolate and orange? One of my favourite combinations.
Helen says
We are definitely food gift twins then, Sian! 🙂
Chris @ Shared Appetite says
Oh man I wish I got a gift like this!!! Chocolate and orange is such an amazing flavor combo… and I’m pretty sure I could eat about 27 of these truffles without coming up for air. They look so divine!
Helen says
I think I just about did eat 27 of them, Chris. Even though they were a gift! LOL!
Shiran @ Pretty. Simple. Sweet. says
Chocolate and orange are the perfect combination! The truffles look amazing Helen!
Helen says
Thanks so much, Shiran. I have to admit, these tasted even better than I was expecting! 🙂
Judit + Corina says
Your chocolate orange truffles look decadently PERFECT, Helen! Love home made food gifts they are just more special. Please tell Deb, we all hope there is chocolate in heaven because we broke our Lenten fast this year too. Oh my, she is very talented for creating such an exquisite wedding cake. Just adore the decorated strawberries. Have a wonderful weekend 🙂
Cheers,
J+C
Helen says
Aw, thanks so much for the lovely comments about my friend. I will definitely tell her! I adored the strawberries, too, but the other great thing was that the cake tasted just perfect. I’m so glad that I have such beautiful professional photos of it. 🙂
Tina @ Tina's Chic Corner says
Wow, that cake is simply gorgeous! I’m drooling over all the chocolate going on here…mmm, truffles are awesome. 🙂 Love an orange and chocolate combo!
Helen says
So glad you like the cake, Tina. I’m very lucky to have such a talented friend, aren’t I? And, honestly, those truffles did taste amazing! 🙂
Chrissy says
SO YUM. I love giving food gifts and usually do. I actually just hate buying gifts- i’d rather bake something, or even better, do an activity gift- like dinner or a show or something. Beautiful everything!
Helen says
Oh yes! I love activity gifts, too. I’ve started buying those kinds of gifts for my parents and they really like them!
Gayle @ Pumpkin 'N Spice says
Home-made gifts are definitely the way to go! And these orange truffles look amazing! Love the flavor combination!
Helen says
Thank you, Gayle … and thanks so much for visiting. Chocolate and orange is one of my favourite flavour combinations!
Joanne says
Lately I’ve taken to giving food gifts and I find that i am much better at those than at actual storebought gifts. Truffles are always a welcome present! These look great!
Helen says
I think I agree, Joanne. I’m actually eager to see what other homemade gifts I can add to my ‘homemade gifts ideas collection’!
Mariana @The Candid Kitchen says
Great idea for a present, I can never get too much chocolate and orange (think Terry’s Chocolate addiction), and someone that baked you that nice cake deserves a good chocolate present!
Helen says
Glad you like it, Mariana. I used to LOVE Terry’s chocolate oranges when I was younger (I would still thank you for one today!) and actually these truffles tasted exactly like that with a lovely strong orangey flavour. 🙂
Bintu @ Recipes From A Pantry says
If I promise to be your friend for even and ever – will you post me a LARGE box of these?
Helen says
Since you asked so nicely, Bintu, how could I refuse? 😉
Alyssa @ My Sequined Life says
Oh Helen, chocolate + orange has quickly become one of my favorite flavor pairings. Can I make these as a gift to myself?? I also use the term “rustic” when things don’t look quite as I expected them to. In this case though, “rustic” or not, they look fabulous!!
Helen says
You’re so lovely, Alyssa! I think that’s a fantastic idea to give these as a gift to yourself … why not?! 🙂