Chocolate Cherry Truffles Recipes

Steps:

• In a small bowl, combine cherries and brandy; cover and let soak for 1 hour or until cherries are softened., Place dark chocolate in a small bowl. In a small saucepan, bring cream just to a boil. Pour over chocolate; whisk until smooth. Stir in extract and soaked cherries with liquid. Cool to room temperature, stirring occasionally. Refrigerate for 1 hour or until firm., Shape into 1-in. balls. Place on baking sheets; cover and refrigerate for at least 1 hour., In a microwave, melt milk chocolate; stir until smooth. Dip half of the balls into milk chocolate, allowing excess to drip off. Place on waxed paper; let stand until set., Melt dark chocolate; stir until smooth. Dip remaining balls into dark chocolate, allowing excess to drip off. Place on waxed paper; let stand until set. Drizzle with melted chocolate and decorate with pearl dust as desired. Store in an airtight container in the refrigerator.

Steps:

• In medium saucepan, combine semisweet chocolate, bittersweet chocolate and half-and-half. Cook over low heat until chocolate is melted, stirring frequently. Remove from heat. Cool 10 minutes.
• With wire whisk, beat butter, 1 tablespoon at a time, into chocolate until smooth and creamy. Beat in cherries and liqueur. Cover; refrigerate 1 1/2 hours, stirring twice, or until mixture is thick and can be molded.
• Spread grated baking bar on sheet of waxed paper. Drop teaspoonfuls of chocolate mixture over grated baking bar; roll each to coat and shape into rough ball. For variety, roll some of the chocolate mixture in cocoa. Place truffles in candy cups. Refrigerate until serving time.

Steps:

• Chop the chocolate and put in a heatproof bowl. Bring the heavy cream, butter and salt to a simmer in a saucepan over medium heat; pour over the chocolate and let sit until completely melted, about 10 minutes. Stir with a rubber spatula or whisk until smooth. (If necessary, microwave in 20-second intervals until the chocolate melts.)
• Whisk in the vanilla and cherry extracts. Stir the ganache until it is smooth and shiny. Pour into a shallow baking dish and refrigerate until firm, at least 3 hours or overnight.
• Roll tablespoonfuls of the ganache into 18 to 24 balls, then roll in shredded coconut. Transfer to a parchment-lined baking sheet, cover with plastic wrap and refrigerate until firm, at least 1 hour or overnight. (To make these in advance, roll into balls but do not coat; cover and freeze up to 2 weeks. Let sit at room temperature for 20 minutes before uncovering, then roll in coating.)

Steps:

• In microwave, combine chocolate chips and cream. Microwave until chocolate is shiny and almost melted. Stir until smooth.
• Add dried cherries and kirsch, stirring well. Refrigerate until firm.
• Scoop the chilled mixture by tablespoons and form into balls. Roll in cocoa powder.

Steps:

• For Filling:
• Preheat oven to 350°F. Roll out tart crust dough on lightly floured work surface to 13x10-inch rectangle. Transfer to 11x8-inch rectangular tart pan with removable bottom, pressing dough firmly into place. Fold overhang in and press, forming double-thick sides. Freeze crust 15 minutes.
• Line crust with foil. Fill with dried beans or pie weights. Bake until sides are set, about 15 minutes. Remove foil and beans. Bake until crust is golden brown and baked through, piercing with fork if crust bubbles, about 15 minutes. Transfer pan to rack and cool crust.
• Combine preserves and 2 tablespoons water in heavy saucepan. Stir over low heat until preserves melt. Strain in medium bowl, pressing firmly on solids to extract liquid. Discard any solids in strainer.
• Combine cream, butter and 1/4 cup preserve mixture in heavy medium saucepan. Stir over low heat until butter melts. Add chocolate and stir until chocolate melts and mixture is smooth. Remove form heat. Cool 15 minutes.
• Spread chocolate mixture evenly into crust, Refrigerate until almost set, about 20 minutes.
• Arrange cherries decoratively over chocolate, pressing slightly to adhere. Rewarm remaining preserve mixture over low heat. Brush generously over cherries. Chill until chocolate sets, about 1 hour. (Can be made 1 day ahead. Keep chilled.)
• For Crust:
• Mix flour, powdered sugar and salt in processor. Add butter; process until mixture resembles coarse meal. Mix egg yolks and water in small bowl. Add to flour mixture and process until moist clumps form.
• Gather dough into ball; flatten into disk for round tart or into square for rectangular tart. Wrap in plastic and refrigerate 1 hour. (Can be prepared 3 days ahead. Keep refrigerated. Let dough soften briefly at room temperature before rolling out.)
• Garnish tart with mint and serve.

Steps:

• In a small saucepan, bring the cream, butter and sugar to a boil, stirring constantly. Remove from the heat; stir in chocolate until melted. Cover and refrigerate for at least 4 hours or until easy to handle. , Pat cherries with paper towels until very dry. Shape a teaspoonful of chocolate mixture around each cherry, forming a ball. Cover and refrigerate for 2-3 hours or until firm., In a microwave, melt chocolate and shortening; stir until smooth. Dip cherries until coated; allow excess to drip off. Place on waxed paper to set.