Peppermint hot chocolate truffles are sweet, bite-sized treats that create the best peppermint hot chocolate! They're the perfect sweet treat for any time of year.
Combine peppermint and hot chocolate flavors with espresso powder, and you get a delicious truffle recipe that's the perfect treat for enjoying with hot cream as hot chocolate or snacking on directly if desired.
Peppermint Hot Chocolate Truffles
This was inspired by my original Hot Chocolate Truffle and Mexican hot chocolate recipe on this site and pairs well with this amazing pretzel s'mores bites recipe as part of a sweet dessert tray.
Ingredients
You'll only need a handful of simple ingredients to make this easy recipe. They're all easily found at your local grocery store.
- Milk chocolate chips
- Chocolate almond bark
- Heavy cream
- Espresso powder
- Vanilla extract
- Crushed candy canes.
See the recipe card at the end of the post for exact quantities.
Instructions
Making these truffles is as simple as gathering up the ingredients. It only takes a few simple steps to make them.
Step 1: Make the Truffle Base
Combine the chocolate and cream over low heat in a small saucepan, stirring constantly with a heat-proof spatula until smooth. Then, add the espresso powder and vanilla.
Step 2: Chill
Pour the mixture into a medium-sized bowl and chill in the freezer for at least an hour or until firm. Overnight is ideal.
Step 3: Roll and Coat
Use a small cookie scoop to scoop out rounded truffle balls onto a board lined with parchment paper. Then, roll each truffle in crushed candy canes and place them on parchment paper. Chill again to set - at least 15 minutes.
Step 4: Serve
Place a truffle in the bottom of a mug and cover with 1 cup of hot cream to make peppermint hot chocolate and top with whipped cream and a sprinkling of crushed candy canes. Otherwise you can simply eat them!
Hint: The longer you chill these truffles during the process of making them the better. The minimum chill times are just that - minimums.
Substitutions
Don't have the correct ingredients on hand or want to change something up? Here are some helpful tips for you to change these peppermint hot chocolate truffles.
- No Cream - If you don't have heavy cream, you can use half and half or milk. Be careful using milk because if you heat the milk too much it will separate and curdle.
- Any Peppermints - If you don't have candy canes, you can use any kind of peppermint candy like sticks or the little round ones. Any brand will do!
- No Bark - Use exact ammount of chocolate chips instead
- No Milk Chocolate Chips - Use semi-sweet
Variations
Want to personalize this peppermint hot chocolate truffles recipe? Here are some of my tried and true tips for changing up this recipe.
- A Little Kick - Add a small amount of cayenne to make this a Mexican hot chocolate truffle.
- More peppermint flavor required - Add a drop or two of peppermint extract
- Dark Chocolate Chips - Make this an extra rich truffle with dark chocolate chips.
- Add alcohol - Add a half ounce of peppermint schnapps, creme de menthe, baileys, whiskey, bourbon or rum
If you love recipes like this, you may also enjoy these boozy hot cocoa bombs, my kahlua hot chocolate recipe or this Cinnamon Hot Chocolate.
Equipment
It only takes a few simple pieces of equipment to make these truffles.
- Measuring cups and spoons
- Cookie scoop or melon baller
- Saucepan
- Spatula
- Freezer-safe bowl
Storage
Store these truffles in the refrigerator for 2 to 4 weeks or in the freezer for up to 6 months.
Tips
This is one of the easiest recipes you'll ever make. As such, I don't have that many tips at all for it. There are only a couple.
- The longer you chill these while making them the better. You really want them set up so they're easier to handle.
- Heavy cream really makes these truffles decadent use it if at all possible and never use regular milk.
FAQ
Do you have questions about peppermint hot chocolate truffles? Here are some of the most commonly asked questions about these hot chocolate truffles.
The popular story is that truffles were invented by Auguste Escoffier in the 1920s. The story goes that his pupil tried to create pastry cream which spilled into a bowl full of chocolate bits. Thus, truffles were born.
Open-air freeze them, then place them in an air-tight, freezer-safe container or heavy-duty freezer bag and freeze for up to 6 months.
Absolutely. You can triple or quadruple it if you want. The ratios don't change and you can store the truffles inside your freezer until needed.
More Chocolate Recipes
Do you like chocolate? Here are some recipes you may also like to try.
Peppermint Hot Chocolate Truffles
Ready to get cooking? Remember that you can print this recipe if you would like.
Ingredients
Peppermint Hot Chocolate Truffles
Equipment
- Saucepan to heat cream or milk
- Freezer-safe bowl
- Cookie scoop or melon baller
Ingredients
- 2 ¼ cups milk chocolate chips
- ¼ cup chocolate almond bark or chopped chocolate
- ¾ cup heavy cream half & half or milk but be careful with milk to not heat too much or it will spoil
- ¾ teaspoon espresso powder
- 1 ½ teaspoons pure vanilla extract
- Crushed candy canes
Instructions
- In a small saucepan, combine chocolate.
- Add cream and turn on low heat, stirring constantly with a heat-proof spatula.
- Heat and stir until blended and smooth. Next, add espresso powder and vanilla.
- Stir until smooth. Pour into a medium sized bowl, cover and place in the freezer to chill. Chill until firm, at least an hour or ideally overnight.
- Fill a resealable bag with the candy canes, smash with a rolling pin and set aside.
- Use a small cookie scoop to scoop the chocolate truffles on to a rimmed baking sheet covered with parchment paper.
- Roll each truffle in crushed candy canes, and place back on parchment paper.
- Place finished truffles in the freezer to set and be firm.
- Usually at least 15 minutes. The longer the better.
When Ready To Drink
- When ready to serve, heat cream or milk gradually in saucepan on stove or in microwave until hot.
- Grab one.
- If your cup will hold 2 cups of cream grab 2 truffles.
- You now have two choices. Place truffle in the bottom of your mug.
- Pour hot milk in mug over truffle.
- OR Pour hot cream in mug and place truffle on top.
- Stir until blended.
- Top with whipped cream and sprinkle leftover crushed candy canes on top and enjoy every sip!
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