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Truffle Topiary Recipe

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This delicious "tree" created from chocolates—is rooted in Elisa Schmidt's generosity. "I wanted to give family and friends something they'd remember," she detailed. "So I whipped up piles of these sweets for everyone." Adding to the fun, the CT kitchen staff turned Elisa's treats into a tree. They took their cue from the way she described preparing those piles of candies in her kitchen. You'll find it easy to do the same for Valentine's ...a birthday...or to brighten a cloudy winter day.

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Truffle Topiary Recipe

Prep: 1 hour + standing Cook: 15 min. + chilling

Yield: 44 Servings

60 15 75

Ingredients

3 packages (12 ounces each) semisweet chocolate chips, divided
2-1/4 cups sweetened condensed milk, divided
1/2 teaspoon orange extract
1/2 to 1 teaspoon peppermint extract
1/2 teaspoon almond extract
1-1/2 pounds white candy coating, coarsely chopped, divided
1/2 cup ground almonds
12 inch-high Styrofoam cone
Miniature silk roses, red, pink and white (tree pictured used approximately 60 roses)

Directions

In a microwave-safe bowl, melt one package of chocolate chips. Add 3/4 cup condensed milk; mix well. Stir in orange extract. Cover and chill for 45 minutes or until firm enough to shape. Repeat two more times with remaining chips and milk, adding peppermint extract to one portions and almond extract to the other.
Shaping truffles: Shape chilled mixture into 1-in. balls; place on three separate waxed paper-lined baking sheets. Chill 1-2 hours or until firm.
Melt 3/4 pound candy coating in a microwave-safe bowl. Dip orange-flavored balls in coating and return to waxed paper to harden. Melt remaining candy coating and dip balls once more to thoroughly cover. Let harden.
Melt chocolate coating in a microwave-safe bowl. Dip peppermint-flavored balls in coating and return to waxed paper to harden.
If desired, melt any remaining coating and drizzle over orange-and peppermint-flavored truffles, as shown in photo at left.
Roll the almond-flavored truffles in ground almonds.
Making the tree: Cover the Styrofoam cone with foil if desired. Using toothpicks, stick one end into each truffle and the other end into the cone, covering entire cone with as many truffles as will fit attractively. Fill gaps between truffles with silk roses.
(If necessary, you can attach the rose stems to toothpicks with small pieces of floral or masking tape and insert the toothpicks into the cone.) Yield: 44 servings, 3 per serving.

Editor's Note: White and dark chocolate confectionery coating is found in the baking section of most grocery stores. It is sometimes labeled "almond bark" or "candy coating" and is often sold in bulk packages of 1 to 1-1/2 pounds. It is the product used for dipping chocolate.
Crafter's thoughts: —These sweets are perfect for preparing ahead—undipped, they'll stay fresh in the freezer for several months. (Thaw in refrigerator.) —Use toothpicks to dip the candies, then poke the picks into a foam scrap so the truffles' chocolate bottoms dry smoothly.

Nutritional Facts 1 serving (3 each) equals 177 calories, 9 g fat (6 g saturated fat), 5 mg cholesterol, 21 mg sodium, 25 g carbohydrate, 1 g fiber, 2 g protein.

Originally published as Truffle Topiary in Country Woman January/February 1997, p26

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Reviewed on Dec. 15, 2012 by greenplants

This is a really good recipe and i think that I will make it every year!!!!! It is delicious.

Reviewed on Dec. 12, 2012 by catlovesbooks

Though it is time consuming to make homemade truffles, it is well worth the beautiful and delicious topiary!

Reviewed on Dec. 12, 2012 by catlovesbooks

Though it is time consuming to make homemade truffles, it is well worth the beautiful and delicious topiary!

Reviewed on Oct. 17, 2012 by kfk657

I lost the issue this recipe was in. I am thrilled to find it on your site. I make several batches of these, I use different flavorings and coatings. You don't need to make the tree, these are great served in minature candy paper liners!

Reviewed on Mar. 26, 2012 by catlovesbooks

While this made a positively beautiful and delicious (everyone loved the truffles) topiary, it was a lot of work. I do not think that I will make it again, but it was worth the one time that I did make it. It was a great gift.

Reviewed on Dec. 17, 2010 by kflanegan

I made these truffles for the first time this year for our annual cookie exchange. Very Easy. I did lemon and maple flavors as well and would add 1 tsp of the extract. My family felt the 1/2 tsp wasn't enough flavor.

Reviewed on Dec. 06, 2010 by Trennarene

I made these truffles for Christmas gifts last year, I didn't make them into a topiary, instead I put them in really cute holiday boxes. I dipped them in more chocolate and decorated them according to their flavor, and made coffee truffles with a coffee beans on top and put green drizzles on the mint.. ect. Everyone has been asking if I was going to do them again this year, by request I am going to have to say yes! They take a little time but they are VERY worth it! And fun to give.