Easy Chocolate Truffles Recipe

• 1 cup heavy cream
• 1 pound bittersweet chocolate, finely chopped or high quality bittersweet chocolate chips
• 1 whole vanilla bean
• 2/3 cup natural unsweetened cocoa powder (about 2 ounces)

1. Place the cream in a small saucepan over medium heat and bring to a simmer.
2. Remove from the heat and set aside.
3. Place the chopped chocolate in a heatproof bowl and set aside.
4. Split the vanilla bean lengthwise and use the back of a paring knife to scrape the vanilla seeds into the cream.
5. Discard the pod or reserve it for another use.
6. Let the cream and vanilla steep for 10 minutes.
7. Return the cream to a gentle simmer over medium heat.
8. Pour the hot cream over the reserved chocolate and let it sit undisturbed for 5 minutes.
9. Whisk the chocolate and cream together until very smooth.
10. !
11. {display:block;margin-top:.5em;}http://chow.com Pour the chocolate mixture into an 8-by-8-inch baking dish.
12. Cover and refrigerate until hardened, at least 5 hours.
13. Using a small melon baller or a small teaspoon, scoop a 1-inch-sized ball of the chocolate mixture into your hand and roll it between your palms until its somewhat smooth and round.
14. Place on a baking sheet and repeat with the remaining chocolate mixture.
15. Place the cocoa powder in a shallow bowl or pan.
16. Roll the truffles in the cocoa powder until evenly coated.
17. Store the truffles at a cool room temperature (55 degrees F to 65 degrees F) for up to 2 weeks in an airtight container, but do not refrigerate or freeze themthis damages the texture of the creamy chocolate.

heavy cream, bittersweet chocolate, vanilla bean, natural

Taken from www.chowhound.com/recipes/charles-chocolates-bittersweet-chocolate-truffles-10656 (may not work)