Amazingly Delicious Vegan Coconut Chocolate Truffles
Do you know that sound that Homer Simpson makes when he thinks of doughnuts? Well, that is the same sound I make when I think of my Vegan Coconut Chocolate Truffles. I love to indulge myself with them and I can’t wait to tell you all about them. Starting back in France, the truffle was originally made from ganache and chocolate cream rolled in cocoa powder. Throughout the years, the varieties and flavors have evolved, but there is no denying that they are highly addictive. Legend has it that this Coconut Chocolate Truffles Recipe is da bomb, oh wait do we still use that word!? They are like beautiful diamonds, each taste brings out a different facet of its immense rich, dark, and smooth chocolate flavor.
Amazingly Delicious Vegan Coconut Chocolate Truffles
Ingredients
- 1 cup dark chocolate chips
- 6 tbsp (full fat) coconut cream (from a can)
- 4 tbsp agave, maple syrup, or another liquid sweetener
- 1 cup coconut flour
- 1/3 cup unsweetened cocoa powder for dusting
Instructions
- Line a baking sheet with parchment paper and set aside.
- Add cocoa powder to a shallow dish and set aside.
- Combine the dark chocolate chips and the sweetener in a heat-proof bowl.
- In a small pot, pour the coconut milk and bring to a boil.
- Once the coconut milk comes to a boil, turn off the stove and pour the milk into the bowl with the dark chocolate and the sweetener. Allow the dark chocolate to melt with the heat of the coconut cream for a couple of minutes before stirring.
- Add the coconut flour and mix until everything is well integrated.
- Scoop the mixture using a tablespoon and using your hands and roll it into balls.
- Quickly roll into the cocoa powder for an even coating then place on the baking sheet.
- Put the truffles in the refrigerator and let them cool for about 30 minutes before serving.
Pro Tips
- Try coating your hands in cocoa powder to make rolling easier.
- If your mixture is sticky, try placing it in the refrigerator for about 20 minutes to dry out before rolling.
- These truffles can be stored in the freezer for up to 2 months in an airtight container.
- Try rolling your truffles in crushed nuts, sprinkles, chocolate ganache, coconut flakes, or even crushed peppermint for a festive twist.
- This recipe is so versatile you can even use it as a base by adding just about 1 tsp. of your favorite extract of liqueur can add another twist to these truffles.
-BON APPÉTIT!
A Little History Lesson…
Cacao is indigenous to Central and South America, but it is cultivated commercially throughout the tropics. Did you know that about 70% of the world’s cacao is grown in Africa? The seeds from this Theobroma cacao tree are used to make chocolate liquor, cocoa butter, and chocolate.
The pods are harvested and then go through the fermentation process. During this time, the beans are placed into wooden bins, covered, and left to ferment. The flavors begin to change from being bitter to a more chocolatey flavor. The sugars in the beans turn into acids, and the color changes to a more prominent dark one. Once the beans are dry, they are ready to be shipped to a factory, where they are turned into delicious chocolate.
When it comes to truffles, these decadent and oh-so-popular treats were an accident made way back in the 1920s by a French chef by the name of Auguste Escoffier. One day, he inadvertently poured hot cream into a bowl of chocolate chunks, the mixture hardened to form a lopsided ball and the rest is history, magic happened…thank you, chef!
So, let’s get to the vegan aspect of chocolate, and how to determine what to look for.
Is 70 Percent Chocolate Vegan?
To answer this question simply, not all 70% of chocolates are vegan. The higher the percentage, the more bitter and fewer additives to the cocoa. If you are new to eating vegan chocolate, I assure you won’t be disappointed. You have probably already tasted it and didn’t even know it was vegan. Some of the best quality chocolates are vegan and made with natural ingredients like sugar, cocoa powder, and sometimes even vanilla without enhancers. Pick up a bar at your local grocery and try my vegan Peanut Butter Truffles Recipe and Chocolate Coconut Clouds. They are sure to satiate your chocolate craving, make them as a variety of truffles for your holiday shindig, or cheer up your neighbors with these chocolaty surprises!
What Chocolates Are Vegan?
Calling all vegans…I have an announcement to make. Yes, you can eat yummy chocolate!! Okay I know I just made your day, so let me go into telling you how to spot the right chocolate bars to make healthy vegan truffles. Pretty much any chocolate that is made without ingredients from animals like cow’s milk for example is vegan. Spotting the best quality chocolates will have limited ingredients, have a high cocoa content, and more than 50%. So, go crazy, because there are so many varieties out there that I salivate over, like dark chocolate with almonds, dark chocolate with raspberries, and my hubby’s favorite, dark chocolate with peanut butter. There are a few brands I look for when I go to my local grocery store, like Endangered Species, Equal Exchange, Green & Blacks, Trader Joe’s and Whole Foods Chocolate Chips, Fanny May, Terra Nostra Rice Milk Bars, and so much more! Instead of chocolate chips, I’ve been known to pick up a bar of dark chocolate to make my delicious Coconut Truffles without condensed milk of course. They are game-changing!
How Long Do Homemade Truffles Keep?
After spending just a few minutes in the kitchen and looking at these lovely chocolate masterpieces, you are probably wondering how long you can manage to enjoy them. I have some great tips to help, here goes!
- Keep them in a dry, cool place in an airtight container, good for about 3 weeks.
- If you choose to use fillings, or you live in a warm climate, be sure to refrigerate. These will last for about 3 months.
- If you decide to freeze these, they can last about 6 months.
- If you want to know if your chocolates are safe to eat, look for mold or a bad odor.
How Do You Keep Truffles from Melting?
A good chocolate truffle should melt in your mouth not anywhere else. If your truffles are melting it could be that you are handling them too much. By doing so, the warmth of your hands will melt the chocolate and change the texture of your firm truffles. Try using gloves while rolling gently and get in the refrigerator as quickly as possible to chill.
Health Benefits and Allergens
There are a multitude of health benefits to these Vegan Coconut Chocolate Truffles if prepared as directed. Here are a few you can gain by using the ingredients in this recipe:
- Dark Chocolate- Any 70% or higher contains fiber, potassium, calcium, antioxidants, and magnesium. All aid in lowering the risk of stroke, heart disease, diabetes, high cholesterol, and cancer prevention.
- Coconut Milk- Can help with weight loss, lowering cholesterol and blood pressure levels, and improving digestion.
- Agave- Can help in boosting the immune system, and is a low-glycemic sweetener
- Coconut Flour- It is rich in fiber, and can help in stabilizing blood sugar, good digestion, and heart health. It may also boost weight loss and fight some infections.
- Cocoa Powder- It is rich in theobromine, which helps to decrease inflammation and can shield you from diseases such as heart disease, cancer, and diabetes.
- It’s healthy
- It’s gluten-free
- It’s vegan
- It’s dairy-free
- Share in the comment section below or tag us @veggiecurean, pictures of your beautiful truffles, and let me know what your favorite flavor combinations are!
-BON APPÉTIT!
Jean Moore
How many does this make? Please include servings in the recipe.
veggiecurean
Will do. About 8-10.