Dark Chocolate Caramel Truffles with Fleur de Sel

 

I went on a chocolate kick a few weeks ago so be ready for some decadence coming your way.  I have never made truffles before and these little suckers turned out great.  These truffles are made from a fabulous mix of salty caramel blended with bittersweet dark chocolate, enrobed in a crisp, chocolate shell and topped with a sprinkle of fleur de sel.  

 

They are intensely rich and the recipe says it should make about 32 but mine only made about 25 so next time I will try to make them a bit smaller - just a couple of bites is more than enough to satisfy your sweet tooth!  I would love to make these again around the holidays a box them up as hostess gifts.  They are easy enough to knock out a double batch but fancy enough to make the recipient feel extra special.  Just be sure you leave yourself plenty of time because the recipe requires multiple rounds of chilling.

 

Dark Chocolate Caramel Truffles with Fleur de Sel

adapted from Epicurious (I made a couple of changes based on the reviews, original recipe can be found via the link)

Yields around 32

20 ounces bittersweet or semisweet chocolate, finely chopped, divided (I only used about 16 ounces, choose a good quality chocolate since this is the main ingredient)

2/3 cup sugar

4 tablespoons water

2/3 cup whipping cream

1/4 teaspoon fleur de sel

1/2 cup unsweetened cocoa powder
Additional fleur de sel

Place 8 ounces chocolate in metal bowl over saucepan of barely simmering water (do not allow bottom of bowl to touch water); stir until chocolate is smooth. I used the microwave to melt my chocolate in 30 second increments and it worked just fine.  Remove chocolate from over water.

Combine sugar and water in small saucepan. Stir over medium heat until sugar dissolves, occasionally brushing sides of pan with wet pastry brush. Increase heat; boil until syrup is deep amber color, brushing down sides and swirling pan occasionally, about 4 minutes (mine took longer, just be sure you keep a close eye on it because it will turn fast!). 

 

Add cream (mixture will bubble). Stir over very low heat until caramel is smooth.  

Mix caramel and 1/4 teaspoon fleur de sel into melted chocolate. 

 

Chill until truffle filling is firm, at least 3 hours.

Place cocoa in bowl. Using 1 tablespoon truffle filling for each truffle, roll into balls, then roll in cocoa. Arrange on baking sheet. Cover; chill overnight. 

 

Line 13x9x2-inch baking sheet with foil. Place remaining 12 ounces chocolate (I think I used around 8 and used the microwave again) in medium metal bowl over saucepan of barely simmering water (do not allow bottom of bowl to touch water); stir until chocolate is melted and smooth and thermometer inserted into chocolate registers 115°F. Remove bowl from over water. Working quickly, submerge 1 truffle in melted chocolate. Using fork, lift out truffle and tap fork against side of bowl to allow excess coating to drip off. Transfer truffle to prepared sheet. Repeat with remaining truffles. Sprinkle truffles lightly with additional fleur de sel. Let stand until coating sets, at least 1 hour. (Can be made 1 week ahead. Cover and chill. I kept some of mine in the freezer and they tasted great so if you did choose to do these for the holidays you could probably make a big batch and then freeze until party time.  Bring to room temperature before serving.)

 

 

Perfect as an after dinner treat with a glass of red wine and your honey...

 

Or for breakfast with a mug of steamy coffee when that bowl of cereal just won't cut it!

Hope you are all having a great week.  Please comment with links to your favorite truffle recipes - I have a feeling this could become an addiction!