9 Common Chocolate Truffle Mistakes—and How to Fix Them

Having trouble making homemade truffles? We can help you avoid these common chocolate truffle mistakes.

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Chocolate Chunks
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Using the wrong chocolate

It’s tempting to use the chocolate chips you have in the pantry, but they’ll make poor-quality truffles. Even the best chocolate chips and semi-sweet chocolate bars contain stabilizers and emulsifiers (like soy lecithin) that help them maintain their shape. Instead, look for high-quality baking chocolate that’s at least 60% cocoa.

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Making Chocolate Ganache
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Ignoring the proper chocolate-to-cream ratio

Traditional truffles are made from ganache—melted chocolate combined with heavy cream—so it’s important to use a 2:1 ratio of chocolate to cream. Since they have different volumes, we recommend weighing the ingredients to make sure you get it just right.

Looking for an easier truffle recipe? Just make them with sweetened condensed milk instead.

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Chopped Chocolate On Wooden Board.
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Not chopping the chocolate enough

We make chocolate truffles by pouring heated cream over chopped chocolate, so it’s important to chop the chocolate small enough so that it melts quickly. Large chunks of chocolate will melt slowly and unevenly, which can create texture issues in the finished chocolate truffle. The chopping process might be messy, but trust us. It’s worth it.

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Pouring cream into pan
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Heating the cream to the wrong temperature

There’s a fine line between over- and under-heated cream here. If the cream is boiling, it will cause the cocoa butter to separate from the chocolate, turning the truffles greasy. Of course, it needs to be hot enough to melt the chocolate, so too-cool cream won’t get the job done either. We like to bring the cream to a simmer and let it sit off the heat for three to five minutes to ensure it’s just right.

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Handmade Chocolate Truffles On Baking Paper
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Going overboard with the flavorings

We’re all about adding a little vanilla extract to our truffles, but it’s important not to go crazy. The reason truffles taste so good is because they’re simple and pure, so save the flavorings for the truffle’s exterior.

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Young Woman Preparing Chocolate Truffles
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Trying to scoop before the ganache cools

After the chocolate has melted, you’ll need to let the ganache cool before scooping it into balls. Otherwise, the process is extremely messy! Spoon the chocolate into a shallow pan (like a casserole dish), and the ganache will be easy to scoop into tablespoon-sized rounds after about 30 minutes in the fridge.

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Young Woman Preparing Chocolate Truffles
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Not rolling the truffles in toppings

There’s nothing wrong with the flavor of pure chocolate, but the truffles will dry out if you don’t coat the exterior. Try rolling the truffles in cocoa powder (or dipping them in tempered chocolate) for a chocolate-only experience. Of course, you shouldn’t be afraid to experiment here. Nuts, sprinkles, shredded coconut and crushed cookies are all yummy upgrades.

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High Angle View Of Chocolate Pistachio Truffle On Cutting Board At Kitchen Counter
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Serving truffles straight out of the fridge

A good truffle melts in your mouth as you eat it, but that’s not possible if it comes straight out of the fridge. Let them come to room temperature for about an hour before serving. Any longer than that, though, and they may melt in your fingers before you have a chance to eat them!

(Here’s how to store chocolate truffles!)

Lindsay D. Mattison
Lindsay has been writing for digital publications for seven years and has 10 years of experience working as a professional chef. She became a full-time food writer at Taste of Home in 2023, although she’s been a regular contributor since 2017. Throughout her career, Lindsay has been a freelance writer and recipe developer for multiple publications, including Wide Open Media, Tasting Table, Mashed and SkinnyMs. Lindsay is an accomplished product tester and spent six years as a freelance product tester at Reviewed (part of the USA Today network). She has tested everything from cooking gadgets to knives, cookware sets, meat thermometers, pizza ovens and more than 60 grills (including charcoal, gas, kamado, smoker and pellet grills). Lindsay still cooks professionally for pop-up events, especially when she can highlight local, seasonal ingredients. As a writer, Lindsay loves sharing her skills and experience with home cooks. She aspires to motivate others to gain confidence in the kitchen. When she’s not writing, you’ll find her cooking with fresh produce from the farmers market or planning a trip to discover the best new restaurants.