Is there a better way to say “Happy Valentine’s Day” than with rich and elegant chocolate truffles? Add in some Irish whiskey and you have devilish Irish love.

The first chocolate truffle was created by Antoine Dufour in Chambery, France in 1895. Named after the lumpy truffle fungi (mushroom) that they often resemble, these chocolate delights have attained the same height of sophistication as their pricier mushroom relatives. In The Devil’s Kitchen, we make our chocolate truffles in the decadently rich Swiss manner – with real chocolate, real cream, and real butter – for a melt-in-your-mouth treat.

We also add in some peaty Jameson Irish whiskey to infuse Irish love into our truffles. You can substitute another alcohol to add love from another nationality. Rum for Jamaican love. Kahlua for Mexican love. Kirsch for some Swiss alpine love. Whatever you add to your chocolate truffles, they’re sure to be a big hit on Valentine’s Day … or any other day.

 

Ingredients (40 truffles)

8 oz (220g) high-quality dark chocolate

½ cup whipping cream

2 tbsp butter

2 tbsp Jameson Irish whiskey (or other nation’s favourite alcohol)

2-3 tbsp cocoa powder

 

1. Finely chop the chocolate and place in a medium bowl.

2. In a small saucepan, heat the cream and butter over low heat. Carefully heat until the butter has melted and the cream starts bubbling prior to boiling.

3. Pour the hot cream over the chocolate and gently stir until the chocolate has melted. Add the whiskey and combine well.

4. Cover and refrigerate for 3 hours or more. Can be left in refrigerator overnight.

5. Use a small spoon to scoop out small amounts of the stiff chocolate mixture.

6. Rolling the scoop of chocolate between your palms, form the chocolate into a rough ball or slightly oblong shape. The warmth of your hands should slighly melt the outer layer, which helps the cocoa powder stick to the truffle.

7. Roll the chocolate ball in the cocoa powder to give it a light coating.

8. Place the chocolate truffles on a tray or plate, and put in the refrigerator to cool for 1 hour.

The truffles can be kept in a covered container (in a cool place or the refrigerator) for a few days. Best to hand them over to your Valentine as fresh as possible, for optimal taste sensation.