Weeknight Cooking

Vegan Dark Chocolate Peppermint Truffles

December 17, 2018
4.6
7 Ratings
Photo by Ty Mecham
  • Prep time 2 hours 30 minutes
  • Cook time 5 minutes
  • Makes 16 truffles
Author Notes

These truffles—a holiday favorite of mine, especially for gifting—are a riff on the Minimalist Baker's brilliant, "2-Ingredient Dark Chocolate Truffles." They come together in three ingredients (we don't count salt, assuming you already have it), and are deeply chocolatey, with a lively pop of peppermint. If you want, you can toss them in cocoa powder, and sprinkle with crushed peppermint candy. Oh, and did I mention that they're vegan? —Ella Quittner

What You'll Need
Ingredients
  • 7 tablespoons plus 1 teaspoon full-fat coconut milk, stirred well
  • 9 ounces vegan dark chocolate, very, very finely chopped
  • 1/2 teaspoon peppermint extract
  • 1 pinch kosher salt
  • 1/3 cup Dutch-processed cocoa powder, for garnish (optional)
  • 1/3 cup crushed peppermint candies, for garnish (optional)
Directions
  1. In a medium saucepan, heat the coconut milk over a medium-low flame until it’s just beginning to simmer around the edges. Turn off the heat, and add the finely chopped chocolate. Stir to combine. There should be enough residual heat to fully melt the chocolate as you stir, but if you need to, turn the flame back on very low for just a minute or so to get everything smooth, creamy, and fully combined—but it shouldn’t become hot to the touch.
  2. Once the chocolate is melted and the mixture is smooth and glossy, transfer to a medium bowl, and add the peppermint extract and a pinch of salt. Stir to combine, then set uncovered in the fridge for 2 to 3 hours, until just fully solidified, but still pliable. (There should be no puddle of melted chocolate in the center, as Minimalist Baker notes.)
  3. Grab a tablespoon (or a tablespoon-sized scoop). Scoop out a heaping tablespoon of the chocolate, and use your hands to gently roll it into a round ball. Set aside on a parchment-lined dish. Repeat until you’ve scooped and shaped all of the balls. You should get about 16 truffles.
  4. If you’d like to decorate them, set the cocoa powder on a large plate, and roll the truffles around in it until they’re coated. Press a small pinch of the crushed peppermint candy into the top of each one.
  5. Enjoy truffles immediately, or store covered in the fridge for up to 1 week. To serve, let them come to room temperature for maximum smooth creaminess.

See what other Food52ers are saying.

  • Shirley Hanes
    Shirley Hanes
  • Dimi Berkner
    Dimi Berkner
  • Ella Quittner
    Ella Quittner
  • liliana
    liliana

5 Reviews

liliana December 8, 2019
Thank you so much for peppermintless suggestions
 
liliana October 29, 2019
With what can I replace all the peppermint. Detest the stuff.
Recipe seems to good/easy to chuck.
 
Dimi B. December 8, 2019
Why not use toasted, finely chopped pecans, walnuts or hazelnuts?
 
Shirley H. December 23, 2018
Is the coconut milk from a can and water drained off?
 
Ella Q. December 24, 2018
Hi Shirley,

I just use a can of coconut milk, well stirred (no draining). I hope you enjoy these! :)

Ella