It's hard to believe, but the countdown to the holidays is on, and I've got just the thing to get you into the mood. Welcome to Christmas Week, a week-long celebration of all things seasonal and sweet with some of my favourite bloggers.
And this year, I'm kicking things off with a bang. Well, actually, truffles... which is basically the same thing when it comes to Christmastime treats, if you ask me.
I've had eggnog truffles on my to-do list for a while, but my initial plan of using eggnog in lieu of cream in a traditional white chocolate ganache failed miserably.
(Well, kind of miserably. I have a jar of delicious white chocolate eggnog syrup in the fridge waiting to be stirred into lattes later this month. Failure never tasted so sweet.)
As it turns out, I was going about it all wrong.
The Secret to Perfect Eggnog Truffles
You see, the secret to making the perfect eggnog truffle is not to use eggnog at all. Crazy, right?
The thing is, regular white chocolate ganache is already is already creamy and sweet all on its own, so all it really needs to achieve true eggnog perfection is a generous splash of dark rum and a sprinkling of fresh-grated nutmeg.
Success, as it turns out, is even sweeter then failure.
Not only did this end up being way easier than my original plan, since you don't have to go out and buy a carton of eggnog (though that's not such a bad thing if you're into eggnog), but it also achieves a perfect gooey sweet eggnog-scented truffle center.
Homemade Truffles: A Perfect Holiday Gift
The best part about making your own truffles is that you can easily transform them into a beautiful edible gift with a quick dunk in melted chocolate, or an even quicker roll in finely chopped nuts or other toppings.
Personally, I think they're prettiest coated in white chocolate, but feel free to play around based on your preferences. Dark chocolate, milk chocolate, ground pistachios or almonds are all very complementary flavours for the sweetness of the eggnog ganache.
Regardless of what you choose, they will surely be the perfect gift for anyone who landed on your "nice" list this year.
(And maybe for those on the "naughty" list too, depending on how charitable you're feeling.)
More Homemade Gifts for the Holidays
While there's nothing wrong with store-bought gifts, there's something extra-special about gifting something you've made with your own two hands. Every homemade gift carries a little extra love with it, after all.
Need some inspiration? Here are a few other of my recipes that are perfect for holiday gifting:
And here are a few other gifts from the kitchen from some of my favourite bloggers:
- Apple Cider Caramels from Dish 'n' the Kitchen
- Ceylon Cinnamon Whiskey Truffles from Cinnamon & Coriander
- Chocolate Shortbread Sandwich Cookies from Baked: The Blog
- Christmas Cherry Balls from Bacon is Magic
- Holiday Chex Mix from Food Meanderings
- Pepper Jelly from The Food Blog
I think it's a worthy start to the week, don't you? Now bust out your stretchy pants and get ready to feast your eyes on more Christmas treats than you can shake a holly stick at. Remember, the calories don't count until the New Year's resolutions kick in!
For more delicious holiday treats, don't forget to check out the rest of today's Christmas Week posts:
- Pistachio Brittle from Cravings of a Lunatic
- Coconut Lemon Raspberry Bundt Cake from Desserts Required
- Peppermint Bark from Poet in the Pantry
- Eggnog Pound Cake from The Redhead Baker
- Quince, Cranberry and Persimmon Crisps from Pineapple and Coconut
- Chocolate Fruit 'n Nut Bites from All Roads Lead to the Kitchen
- Fancy Chocolate Covered Marshallows from Hezzi-D's Books and Cooks
- Gluten Free Cranberry Orange Coffee Cake from Cupcakes and Kale Chips
- Marzipan Fruits from The Little Ferraro Kitchen
- Peppermint Fudge from The Bitter Side of Sweet
- Dark Chocolate Peppermint Cupcakes from Amee's Savory Dish
- Gingerbread Cake with Orange Cream Glaze from Comfortably Domestic
- Christmas Sweets and Treats from Food Done Light
- Spiked Hot Cocoa Gift Mix from Farm Fresh Feasts
- Chanukah Olive Oil Cookies from Mother Would Know
- Coconut Pralines from Food Lust People Love
- Blueberry Overnight Sweet Rolls from My Catholic Kitchen
- Chocolate Chip Shortbread Cookies from Daily Appetite
- Chocolate Dipped Gingersnaps from Try Anything Once Culinary
- Mini Red Velvet Cupcakes from That Skinny Chick Can Bake
- Dark Chocolate Almond Cheesecake Cups from Savory Experiments
- Bourbon Soaked Eggnog Cake from Cooking In Stilettos
- Ginger Snap Cocktail from Food Babbles
- Coquito Cinnamon Roll Bundt from Mind Over Batter
- No-Bake Chocolate Peppermint Cheesecake from Rants From My Crazy Kitchen
- Easy White Chocolate Peppermint Fudge from Big Bear's Wife
- Easy Cream Cheese Cookies from Everyday Southwest
- Gingerbread Cookie Bars from From Gate to Plate
- Molasses Ginger Cookies from Karen's Kitchen Stories
- Apricot Spice Biscotti from Savoring Italy
- Caramel Bacon Bark from Dixie Chik Cooks
- Gluten Free Chocolate Gingerbread Crinkle Cookies from The Tomato Tart
- Easy Macadamia Cashew Brittle
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Eggnog Truffles
- Total Time: 1 hour 25 mins
- Yield: 18 1x
Description
These eggnog-inspired white chocolate truffles are spiked with dark rum and lots of fresh grated nutmeg. It's all the goodness eggnog in a portable, bite-sized, chocolate-covered treat!
Ingredients
Eggnog Ganache:
- 2 cups white chocolate chips
- ¼ cup heavy cream
- 2 tbsp butter
- 1 tbsp dark rum (or 1 tsp rum extract)
- 1 tsp fresh grated nutmeg
- Icing sugar, for shaping
Coating Options:
- Melted white chocolate
- Ground almonds
Instructions
Make the Ganache:
- In a medium heat-proof bowl set over a pan of simmering water, melt the white chocolate chips. Add the heavy cream, butter, dark rum and nutmeg, and whisk together until the mixture is thick and smooth.
- Cover the bowl tightly with plastic wrap and chill until firm enough to scoop, about 1 hour.
Shape and Coat the Truffles:
- Line a baking sheet with parchment paper, and dust your hands with a little icing sugar.
- Scoop heaping teaspoons of truffle mixture and roll into balls, dusting your hands with more icing sugar as needed. If you find the ganache is getting too soft to roll easily, transfer it to the freezer for 5-10 minutes to firm up again.
- Using a fork, dip the truffles into the melted white chocolate, and place on the prepared baking sheet. (Or, if you prefer a more low-maintenance option, roll the truffles in a thin layer of ground almonds instead.)
- Place the finished truffles in the freezer for 10-15 minutes to firm up, then transfer to an airtight container and refrigerate for up to 1 month.
- Prep Time: 1 hour 20 mins
- Cook Time: 5 mins
- Category: Candy
Teresa says
Those look absolutely gorgeous! the drizzle of chocolate on each make them look like they came from a chic chocolate shop.
Teresa says
And my favourite treat to make for the holidays is sucre à la crème, a tradition from the French side of the family.
Julia says
My favorite treat to make? Cookies. If I had to pick one it would be Almond Supreme Cookies.
Your truffles look delicious as well. And all the better that they don't require actual eggnog.
Shareba @ In Search Of Yummy-ness says
Your truffles look so professional! They are so pretty, and I love how figured out a way to make them eggnog flavoured!
Wanda says
These look so yummy! I'd have to say my favourite treat to make is either nanaimo bars, cookies or butter tarts. But that's 3 - I can't choose just 1!!
Sarah | (Cooking for) Kiwi & Bean says
You had me at eggnog. These look so beautiful, and I never in a million years would have thought to make eggnog truffles without eggnog. You are brilliant!
★★★★★
Christina says
Well, I'm an egg nog fan and a long time truffle maker. I will have to give these a try! I can always have a truffle with a glass of egg nog alongside. :)
Cynthia says
Isabelle, these truffles are gorgeous and look easy to make! To answer your give-away question, my favourite treats to make for Christmas are lebkuchen; it is a traditional German Christmas festively spiced cookies. They are definitely a labour of love.
Samantha @mykitchenlove says
These look SO good! One of those treats you wish to magically turn from virtually to real life reality. Love that you made the best of the ganache issues too! I'm sure your lattes will be amazing all month long (and perfectly festive)!
Nicoletta @ sugarlovespices says
Those truffles are the perfect treat! They look beautiful and taste exquisite! I usually bake lots of cookies for the Holidays and not enough truffles...that has to change ;-) .
Alanna @ One Tough Cookie says
Haha, I love it when even the baking failures result in something delicious that can be used for later on -- eggnog syrup, hm? Sounds divine!
I took a little break from eggnog last year, having overdone it the winter before with too, too many glasses of eggnog and rum (so delicious at the time, so hideous a hangover the following morning), but I think I must be finally recovering, as these sound delicious! Thanks for sharing, Isabelle!
Linda | The Baker Who Kerns says
I'm okay that there is no eggnog! That white chocolate ganache is good enough for me! These truffles look delicious and great for Christmas dessert!
Mardi (eat. live. travel. write.) says
Isabelle these look spectacular! I am actually working on a little white chocolate truffle right now myself - and homemade truffles are always one of my favourite holiday treats :)
Liz says
I hope I'm on your nice list as I adore anything white chocolate! And move over eggnog---I'd much rather nibble on your gorgeous truffles!