Kids Can Make: Fruit-and-Nut Chocolate Truffles
- 1/3 cup pecans
- 8 ounces semisweet chocolate, very finely chopped
- 1 teaspoon pure vanilla extract
- 1/2 teaspoon orange zest
- Pinch kosher salt
- 1/2 cup heavy cream
- 1 tablespoon unsalted butter
- 1/3 cup dried apricots, very finely chopped
- 1/3 cup dried prunes, very finely chopped
- Coarse sanding sugar, for decorating
- Special equipment: food-safe gloves
- Preheat the oven to 350 degrees F. Spread the pecans out on a baking sheet, and bake until brown and toasted, 8 to 10 minutes.
- Let cool completely, then very finely chop.
- Put the chocolate, vanilla, orange zest and salt in a large bowl; set aside.
- Heat the cream and butter in a small saucepan over medium-low heat until very hot and steaming; pour over the chocolate, then let sit for 10 minutes.
- Stir until all the chocolate has melted and the mixture is smooth.
- (If all the chocolate has not melted, microwave the mixture in 30-second increments, stirring after each, until smooth.)
- Add the pecans, apricots and prunes, and stir to combine.
- Transfer the chocolate-fruit mixture to a large baking dish, and let cool to room temperature.
- Cover with plastic wrap, and refrigerate until the mixture has hardened but is still soft enough to scoop, about 3 hours.
- (The mixture can be made up to 2 days in advance; let soften at room temperature until scoopable, about 30 minutes.)
- Line a baking sheet with parchment.
- Scoop heaping teaspoonfuls of truffle mixture, and place them on the prepared sheet.
- Once all the mixture has been divided up, roll the mounds into smooth, round balls.
- (Using food-safe gloves for this helps keep it from getting too messy.)
- Roll each ball into sanding sugar right before serving or wrapping.
- Keep refrigerated in an airtight container for up to 3 days.
pecans, chocolate, vanilla, orange zest, kosher salt, heavy cream, unsalted butter, dried apricots, sanding sugar
Taken from www.foodnetwork.com/recipes/food-network-kitchens/kids-can-make-fruit-and-nut-chocolate-truffles.html (may not work)