How to Make Chocolate Truffles {3 Ingredients}

Learn how to make quick, easy homemade chocolate truffles recipe with 3 simple ingredients. The condensed milk makes it super rich, fudgy, creamy. Many filling and topping options included.

*Thank you Craisins® for sponsoring today's post so that I can share this recipe with all of you. As always, all opinions are mine.*

There are certain flavor combinations in this world that were just meant to be, like peanut butter and jelly or even chocolate and caramel. Well, I think another flavor combination that was also meant to be, but gets overlooked, is chocolate and cranberry! I love how the deep chocolate flavor compliments the sweet and tangy cranberry flavor. Rolling them around in Craisins Dried Cranberries really takes them over the top. By the way, did you know that a ¼ cup of these cranberries is equivalent to a ½ cup serving of fruit? Woohoo for that because I won't feel as guilty eating these candies any more. For more easy truffles, check out these Red Velvet Truffles {With Cake Mix} and these Oreo Truffles {Oreo Balls} recipes.

Jump to:

• How to make easy homemade chocolate truffles recipe from scratch?
• Are these just ganache?
• Why are my truffles not setting?
• Why are my truffles grainy?
• Key ingredients for choco truffle
• Truffle topping/ coating options
• Truffle filling options
• Variations
• Tips and techniques
• Storage of homemade truffles
• More homemade candy recipes
• Recipe

How to make easy homemade chocolate truffles recipe from scratch?

1. Heat ingredients- Including chocolate chips and condensed milk in the microwave.
2. Chill- In the refrigerator.
3. Roll truffles- Into a small ball.
4. Roll into toppings- Enjoy.

Are these just ganache?

They are similar but not the same. Ganache recipes such as this Chocolate Ganache Frosting {2 Ingredients} and Easy Chocolate Ganache {2 Ingredients} typically use heavy cream and are softer. For example, it will run down the side of a cake in drips, and cannot be rolled into a ball. It is too thin for that. Whereas truffles call for condensed milk, and become firm enough to form into a ball when chilled.

Why are my truffles not setting?

This usually means there is either too much liquid in the truffle mixture, or that they have not chilled long enough. Make sure to measure the ingredients accurately, and to chill the truffles for at least 2 hours or more, if necessary.

Why are my truffles grainy?

This may be because the chocolate was chilled too quickly. Let the truffle mixture come to room temperature before chilling in the refrigerator.

Key ingredients for choco truffle

• Sweetened condensed milk- This gives the truffles a smooth and creamy texture, and adds sweetness.
• Chocolate- Semi-sweet chocolate chips are best.
• Toppings- For additional flavor and texture.

Truffle topping/ coating options

• Chopped nuts- Such as toasted pecans, walnuts, cashews, almonds, hazelnuts, pistachios, or peanuts.
• Dried fruit- Such as cranberries, blueberries, or cherries.
• Chocolate- Such as cocoa powder, chocolate shavings, or melted chocolate.
• Sugar- Such as powdered or sanding sugar.
• Sprinkles- Such as these How to Make Homemade Sprinkles, classic jimmies, or themed sprinkles.
• Freeze dried fruit powder- Such as strawberry, raspberry, or banana.
• Shredded coconut- Sweetened, unsweetened, or desiccated can be used according to your preference.
• Peppermint- Crush candy canes or round peppermints for a minty topping.
• Matcha powder- For en energy boost as well as flavor.
• Crushed cookies- Such as Oreos, graham crackers, or shortbread cookies.

Truffle filling options

• Nuts- Such as an almond or hazelnut or pistachio. Don't add too many nuts. Just a single nut is enough.
• Fruit- You can add a fresh raspberry, blackberry, or maraschino cherry
• Marshmallow- Mini is best for size purposes.
• Mini cookie- Like Oreo, Chips Ahoy, or a Nilla wafer.
• Chopped pretzels- For a salty and crunchy addition.
• Chopped up candy bars- Such as a Twix, Snickers, or Kit Kat. It's a fun surprise when you bite into the candy.
• Coffee bean- You could add a coffee or espresso bean to make a mocha truffle.
• Leftover brownie- Add a small piece of brownie to the center.
• Cookie dough- Make sure to use an eggless version such as this Chocolate Chip Cookie Dough Truffles (Eggless) so it is safe to eat.
• M&M- Add a plain, peanut, caramel, or brownie m&m to the center.

Variations

• Add extracts- For additional flavoring such as vanilla, maple, coconut, raspberry, almond, cherry e.t.c.
• Use white chocolate- These will be very sweet, just fyi.
• Dip them- In melted candy melts or almond bark instead of other toppings.
• Make different shapes- Instead of rolling them into balls, you could use small silicone molds or even small cookie cutters to form other shapes like hearts, a moon, or whatever shape fits the theme of your event or holiday.

Tips and techniques

• You cannot use evaporated milk- Because it is not the same as sweetened condensed milk, which is sweeter and thicker.
• What to substitute for sweetened condensed milk? The only substitute for condensed milk can be heavy cream.
• When storing, separate by sheets of wax paper- Because it prevents the truffles from sticking together.
• Don’t burn mixture- Heat it slowly in increments. Once the mixture burns, there is no way to fix it. There will be burnt bits in the mixture.
• Use high quality chocolate- Because it leads to the best flavor and texture. They can be chocolate chips or roughly chopped baking chocolate. My favorite brands are Ghiradelli, Guittard or Scharffen Berger. Nestle is perfectly fine too.
• Semisweet chocolate is best- Milk chocolate feels like the chocolate flavor is not that prominent overall, the truffles became very sweet. Dark chocolate is too intense. You can use a combination of a variety of these chocolates though, if you like. 
• If your rolled balls become too dry, roll them between the palms of your hands again- Because the heat will make them slightly sticky again to adhere to the toppings.
• How to package homemade candy? Use mini cupcake liners, candy cups, mini boxes, candy wrapping paper. Check out this post on Food and Cookie Packaging Ideas for more inspiration.
• If you are using nuts for topping, make sure they are toasted- Because it enhances the nutty flavor.
• Wear food-safe disposable plastic gloves when rolling- Because the chocolate has a tendency to stick less to gloves than to bare hands.
• Nuts and dried fruit toppings should be finely chopped- Because they will coat the candy better.

Storage of homemade truffles

• Room temperature- These can be left out on the counter for 2-3 hours.
• Refrigerate- In a sealed container for up to 1 week.
• Freeze- Store it in an air tight container that's been double wrapped in saran wrap to prevent freezer burns for up to 1 month. Thaw in fridge overnight and enjoy.

More homemade candy recipes

• Chocolate Blueberry Truffles
• White Chocolate Truffles
• Chocolate Chip Cookie Dough Truffles
• DIY Golden Snitch Truffles (Harry Potter)
• Cake Truffles (With Cake Mix)

Recipe