Cognac Truffles Recipes

Steps:

• -------------ENROBING------------- 1 lb Bittersweet chocolate 1 lb Cocoa It is important to use an excellent quality chocolate when making truffles since it is the primary ingredient. Valhrona is my first choice and Callebaut is my second.
• BRING THE CREAM TO A BOIL and pour it over the cut chocolate. Allow to stand 1-to-2 minutes and stir smooth.
• Beat in the softened butter and cool to set. Beat with an electric mixer (using a paddle attachment if available) on medium speed until light. Beat in Cognac. Pipe out small truffles on parchment or waxed paper with a pastry bag fitted with a 1/2-inch plain tube. Refrigerate to set. Melt the chocolate. Sift the cocoa into a deep pan.
• Dip the truffles in the melted chocolate and then deposit th em in the cocoa, shaking the pan to cover them.
• After the covering sets, shake the truffles in a strainer to remove the excess cocoa.

Steps:

• Put the heavy cream, butter and salt in a small saucepan and bring to a simmer over medium heat. Put the chocolate in a heatsafe bowl, pour the hot cream mixture over it and let it sit until the chocolate is completely melted, about 10 minutes.
• Stir the chocolate-cream mixture with a whisk or rubber spatula until combined and smooth. Stir in the cognac, raspberry extract and vanilla extract, then whisk until the ganache is smooth and shiny. Transfer the ganache to a shallow container, cover and refrigerate until firm, at least 3 hours and up to overnight.
• Line a baking sheet with parchment paper. Put the cocoa powder in a shallow dish. Scoop tablespoons of the firm ganache, roll into balls and roll the balls in the cocoa powder. Transfer the truffles to the prepared baking sheet, cover with plastic wrap and refrigerate until firm, at least 1 hour and up to overnight.

Steps:

• Put cream into a small saucepan and heat over high heat until it comes to a simmer.
• Place finely chopped chocolate into a medium bowl.
• Pour the scalding cream into the bowl and let it sit for 2 minutes.
• Stir until chocolate has melted and mixture is smooth.
• Then, stir in the cognac, if desired.
• Let mixture cool completely.
• Cover bowl with plastic wrap and refrigerate until set (about 4 hours).
• Pour cocoa into a shallow dish and set aside.
• Using teaspoon, scoop the truffle mixture into 1-inch balls.
• Roll balls in the cocoa and coat evenly.
• Place coated truffles into small muffin tins or on a plate.
• Refrigerate until ready to serve.

Steps:

• FOR CRUST:
• Mix first 3 ingredients in small bowl. Using electric mixer, beat butter, brown sugar and vanilla in medium bowl until creamy. Add flour mixture and stir with fork until coarse crumbs form. Gather dough into ball; flatten into disk. Wrap in plastic; chill until beginning to firm, about 20 minutes.
• Divide dough into 4 equal pieces. Press 1 dough piece evenly over bottom and up sides of each 4 1/2-inch-diameter tartlet pan with removable bottom. Freeze 20 minutes.
• Meanwhile, preheat oven to 350°F. Line crusts with foil; fill with dried beans or pie weights. Bake crusts until set, about 20 minutes. Remove foil and beans (some crust may stick to foil). Bake until crusts feel dry, about 5 minutes longer. Transfer to rack; cool completely.
• FOR FILLING AND TRUFFLES:
• Combine cream and butter in medium saucepan. Stir over low heat until butter melts. Add chocolate; stir until melted. Whisk in Cognac. Cool filling 15 minutes.
• Spoon enough filling into each crust to fill (about 1/2 cup for each); reserve remaining filling. Refrigerate tartlets and remaining filling overnight.
• Line small baking sheet with foil. Form remaining filling into balls, using generous rounded 1/2 teaspoonful for each. Place on prepared sheet. Freeze 15 minutes. Roll each truffle in chopped pecans, coating completely. Freeze until truffles are firm, about 1 hour.
• Let tartlets stand at room temperature 15 minutes. Place paper in lattice pattern atop 1 tartlet. Sift cocoa over. Remove strips. Repeat with remaining tartlets. Garnish each with 3 truffles.