I think the best kind of gifts to give people during the Holidays are ones from the heart, and what better way to express your love than homemade EDIBLE presents? Nothing beats a happy belly 
I will be featuring 3 different types of edible holiday gifts to give to friends, family, coworkers, neighbors, etc. Part one are these beautiful and decadent Holiday Truffle Sampler Box. You can choose any toppings you’d like to roll your truffles in, I chose toasted pecans,coconut, cocoa, and peppermint.
These were not only easy to assemble but really fun to make. I bought some chocolate boxes and wrappers from my local craft store and finished the packages with some ribbon and cute little christmas decorations. If you make these in large batches, they become really cost effective. I was able to make 64 truffles, 8 per box, and it averaged out to be only $4/box!!
Ingredients for Dark Chocolate Truffle Base:
- 1 1/2 cups heavy cream
- 24 oz semi-sweet dark chocolate (preferably Ghiradelli)
- 2 tablespoons brandy or dark rum
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
In a medium saucepan, heat the cream at medium heat until it begins to simmer. Place the broken up dark chocolate pieces in a large bowl and pour the hot cream ontop. Add the brandy and vanilla, and allow mixture to sit for 1 minute. Using a rubber spatula, mix ingredients together until the chocolate is smooth and shiny. Make sure all chocolate is thoroughly melted, if needed pop it in the microwave for 20 sec intervals if you find chocolate pieces still remaining.
Be sure to Place chocolate mixture in the fridge for 1 hour, or until very firm. Once it is set, you can either use a tablespoon or a melon baller and scoop chocolate onto parchment paper. Return to the fridge for 15 minutes. Meanwhile, prepare your toppings for the truffles. I used a meat mallet to crush up my candy canes and nuts –I cut up a paper grocery bag and put the nuts and candy inbetween the sheets of paper so that pieces of nuts and candy wouldn’t be flying all over the place You can also use a towel and if you do not have a meat mallet use a heavy jar.
Remove the truffles from the fridge and shape into balls using your hands. If you have vinyl/latex gloves, you may use them during this process. Roll the tuffle balls in the different toppings and place them on a large pan lined with parchment paper. Repeat until all truffles are coated. Return chocolates to refrigerator and allow to sit for at least 1 hour. Place chocolates in wrappers and assemble in boxes. Decorate them however you’d like and they are ready to go!
You can also choose to do milk chocolate if you are not a fan of dark and you may also used flavored liqours like Grand Marnier or flavored extracts like peppermint or cinnamon. Be creative!
I’ll be going to Michigan to visit honey’s grandparents tomorrow — I can’t wait for the snow!!! I have been hearing crazy stories about the temperatures being in the single digits and that frightens me a little bit, I pretty much own zero winter clothes since I live in Texas so wish me luck hahaha. Happy Holidays yall!
thanks joy. There goes my diet.
LOL!!! Paul you are so funny hahaha
Yay! First to comment!
AGAIN, we are still on the same culinary brain wave length. I’m using my boyfriend’s mom’s recipe to make some homemade truffles. I’ve been stuck on how to package them cutely. Love your presentation ideas. I’m inspired! Now off to my scavenger hunt for cute boxes
P.S. How do you keep your fiancée from eating them? Mine keeps stealing them from the fridge!
Haha! That is hilarious, that is so funny we always are on the same page ^_^ And I cant keep my fiancee from stealing them — men are so sneaky. I’ll open the fridge and always find treats missing and when I question him he always gives me Doe eyes and says in the sweetest voice “Not me….”.
Why are all your pictures so amazing!!! Not fair!
aaaw geez thanks Kinzie
Hey, I was thinking this morning to make truffles for Christmas and here you are with all the beautiful, mouth-watering truffles! I think I don’t want to make anymore…just go to your place to eat
Yum, these look adorable! I cant wait till finals are over so i can start baking delectable treats like this one.
Hey Marina good luck on your finals!! Once they are over you def should reward yourself to plenty of treats
these are gorgeous! I think a lot of people are going to be very happy when I give them these
Thank you Janice, it is so nice to meet you!
Gorgeous Truffles! Do you have more to share?
hahaha I did! But then they got eaten
womp womp.
Wow! These look amazing!
Thank you Baby Sumo!
Awesome. Thanks for the post. Great info about the expense too. I don’t think you can beat $4 per box for such a nice gift!
Great suggestion!
Thanks carli for your kind words, it is nice to meet you!!!
Pretty! I hope the panko chicken worked out. Love how your sea bass looks too.
wonderful, sweet, pretty xmas gift!
i’m thinking to make these for my neighbours!
Thank you lululu!! I hope your neighbors enjoys these
Gosh Joy, these look terribly good and just perfect for the festive gifts! I’m not celebrating X’mas but I would love to make this as Chinese New Year gift packs! I guess it’s something new for them (the Chinese)…. haha…
WOW! Who are you?
hahaha love you brett!
They are absolutely gorgeous and perfect for the occasion. Your truffles are very colorful. I love the different coatings.
Thank you so much Divina!!!
ooh! i was goinna make this easy oreo truffles recipe i found for my stockings but maybe ill take a mental note to check your blog again tomorrow before i buy ingredients
OOO oreo truffles!!!! That sounds amazing, tell me how those turn out
If your truffles don’t make a happy belly I don’t know what will?
Thanks for the recipe and great pics
Hahaha Brad you always know how to make me smile!
I’ve never met anyone who doesn’t like truffles..rich, creamy, dreamy, decadent ..just like the ones that you made
Aw thanks Olive!! You’re the best
These look amazing! Love the addition of rum- right up my alley! I was planning on doing whoopie pies w/cracked candy canes this weekend. It is such a great, festive idea!
Hahaha I knew there was a reason why I get along with you so well — I LOVE WHOOPIE PIES and adding liquors to desserts heh heh heh
Thanks for the kind words!
My faves are the one covered with peppermint. You should also try with crushed pistachios
I love pistachios!! I will definitely have to try that, nice to meet you Jackie!
These are so pretty! Makes such a great gift!
Thank you ann!!
I came to you today via your listing in the foodie blogroll and I lingered…long enough to say that you have a great blog and that you are very accomplished as a cook, writer and photographer. Keep up the good work.
Joan thank you very much for your kind words, they mean so much
! I am happy you enjoy my site and it is a pleasure to meet you!
Wow I’m so impressed you know how to make those! They look amazing!
Thank you very much!!
Mmmmm…. this look amazing!
You should try to make them raw…. seriously!… there taste just the same… or even better!
Loved your website!
Cynthia — that sounds really interesting I will definitely try that next time, thanks for that! Thank you for your kind words!!
How fun! These truffles are so beautiful and delightful, anyone would be lucky to receive them!
Thank you for your kind words Christine
!!!!
These are gorgeous truffles, very festive for the holidays! I hope you’re having a great trip!
Thanks Natasha! Michigan was wonderful
mmm, they do look fabulous & the price is a bargain!
Thank you Cathie
!
these truffles look awesome and great colors for the holidays! have fun and stay warm in michigan…that’s where Hong’s family is from!
hey Joy, the site is awesome ……. i want to eat all the dishes …… ! Planning to make sugar donuts based on the indegrients given by your site this weekend…..yeppy …will courier you some donuts to you and collin….heheh
Hahaha Bijeta! I love it
I hope you enjoy these sugar donuts we miss you so much!!
I love going through your site.These truffles are awesome! I should have made em for the holidays…I think I can still make em for New Year
Joy, I’d love to guide our readers to your site if you won’t mind.Just add your choice of foodista widget to this post and it’s all set, Thanks!
Thank you for your kind words Alisa!! There is never a bad/wrong time for truffles
My friend just introduced me to the joy of cooking blogs, and this recipe was my first attempt at replicating anything I’ve seen. All I can say is WOW! These are AMAZING! Can’t wait to see what else you come up with.
Maureen that means more to me than you’ll ever know, that is AWESOME!!! Welcome to the world of food blogs and I hope you have a blast trying other recipes
[...] P.S. Thank you, Joy, for the inspiration! [...]