CHOCOLATE CHERRY TRUFFLES

Chocolate Cherry Truffles image

My cherry truffles were the delicious result of a kitchen experiment involving a bottle of kirsch I'd received as a gift and some dried cherries I had on hand. They won a blue ribbon at the Wisconsin State Fair! -Gerry Cofta, Milwaukee, Wisconsin

Provided by Taste of Home

Time 1h30m

Yield 4 dozen.

Number Of Ingredients 9

Ingredients

1 cup finely chopped dried cherries
1/4 cup cherry brandy
11 ounces 53% cacao dark baking chocolate, chopped
1/2 cup heavy whipping cream
1 teaspoon cherry extract
COATING:
4 ounces milk chocolate, chopped
4 ounces dark chocolate, chopped
Melted dark, milk and white chocolate and pearl dust

Steps:

In a small bowl, combine cherries and brandy; cover and let soak for 1 hour or until cherries are softened., Place dark chocolate in a small bowl. In a small saucepan, bring cream just to a boil. Pour over chocolate; whisk until smooth. Stir in extract and soaked cherries with liquid. Cool to room temperature, stirring occasionally. Refrigerate for 1 hour or until firm., Shape into 1-in. balls. Place on baking sheets; cover and refrigerate for at least 1 hour., In a microwave, melt milk chocolate; stir until smooth. Dip half of the balls into milk chocolate, allowing excess to drip off. Place on waxed paper; let stand until set., Melt dark chocolate; stir until smooth. Dip remaining balls into dark chocolate, allowing excess to drip off. Place on waxed paper; let stand until set. Drizzle with melted chocolate and decorate with pearl dust as desired. Store in an airtight container in the refrigerator.

Nutrition Facts : Calories 80 calories, Fat 5g fat (3g saturated fat), Cholesterol 3mg cholesterol, Sodium 1mg sodium, Carbohydrate 10g carbohydrate (8g sugars, Fiber 1g fiber), Protein 1g protein.