Festive Orange Chocolate Christmas Truffles Recipe tastes like silk-rich dark chocolate with bright citrus and a hint of orange oil, the holiday candy version of a cozy fireside hug. It suits chocolate lovers, hosts who want a make-ahead treat, and last-minute gift givers, with a total time of about 1 hour 30 minutes including chilling. I tested these for my neighborhood cookie swap, and not a crumb survived.
Why Orange Chocolate Christmas Truffles Recipe Is Worth It
Festive Orange Chocolate Christmas Truffles Recipe delivers bold chocolate flavor with vibrant orange in every bite. The zest perfumes the ganache, and the cocoa coating adds a clean finish that keeps the sweetness balanced.
You can make the mixture ahead, roll when you have time, and stash a box for gifting. The recipe uses simple pantry items and works with chocolate chips or bar chocolate.
Ingredients You Need
- Dark chocolate, 10 ounces, chopped small for easy melting. I like 60 to 70 percent cacao. Brands that melt smoothly: Guittard, Ghirardelli, Valrhona. Chocolate chips work in a pinch, though they set a touch firmer.
- Heavy cream, 1/2 cup. Do not swap with milk or half-and-half, which turn the ganache grainy.
- Unsalted butter, 2 tablespoons, room temp. Butter adds shine and a truffle-shop texture.
- Fresh orange zest, 2 teaspoons, finely grated. Wash and dry the orange before zesting.
- Orange extract or orange oil, 1/4 to 1/2 teaspoon, optional but bold. Start small, then adjust.
- Orange liqueur, 1 tablespoon, optional. Grand Marnier or Cointreau gives a gentle lift.
- Fine sea salt, 1/8 teaspoon. Salt sharpens the chocolate notes.
- Dutch-process cocoa powder, 1/3 cup, for coating. You can use natural cocoa if that is what you have.
- Optional coatings: powdered sugar, very finely chopped pistachios, toasted coconut, or festive sprinkles.
Equipment:
- Small saucepan and heatproof bowl
- Silicone spatula
- Microplane or fine zester
- Sheet pan lined with parchment
- Teaspoon or 1-tablespoon scoop
- Food-safe gloves for easy rolling, optional
Quick Tips & substitutions
- Chop the chocolate finely so the warm cream melts it fast and evenly.
- Zest only the orange skin, not the white pith, which tastes bitter.
- Use orange oil when you want strong citrus without extra liquid.
- Stir the ganache until it looks glossy and smooth, then stop to avoid grainy texture.
- Chill the mixture until scoopable, about 60 to 90 minutes, not rock hard.
- Coat with cocoa right before serving if your fridge runs humid.
- Swap dark chocolate with semi-sweet for a softer, sweeter truffle.
- Skip alcohol and use extra zest or a touch more extract for kid-friendly treats.
How to Make Festive Orange Chocolate Christmas Truffles
- Prep Time 15 minutes
- Cook Time 5 minutes
- Total Time 1 hour 30 minutes, including chill
- Line a sheet pan with parchment and set it near your workspace.
- Place the chopped chocolate in a heatproof bowl. Add orange zest and salt.
- Warm the cream in a small saucepan over medium heat until it steams and tiny bubbles form at the edges. Do not boil.
- Pour the hot cream over the chocolate. Let it sit for 1 minute to soften the chocolate.
- Stir slowly with a spatula from the center out until the mixture turns smooth and glossy. Add butter, then stir until it melts in.
- Stir in orange extract and liqueur, if using. Taste and adjust the extract by a drop if needed.
- Cover the bowl and chill until the ganache feels scoopable and firm, about 60 to 90 minutes.
- Scoop 1 tablespoon portions and drop them onto the lined pan. Chill 10 minutes if the room feels warm.
- Roll each scoop quickly between your palms to form smooth rounds.
- Place cocoa in a shallow bowl. Roll each truffle to coat, then tap off excess. Use other coatings as you like.
- Chill the finished truffles 15 minutes to set, then serve or pack for gifts.
Simple Variations
- Dark chocolate espresso orange: add 1 teaspoon instant espresso powder to the warm cream.
- Milk chocolate twist: use milk chocolate and cut the butter to 1 tablespoon for a softer set.
- Spiced orange: add a pinch of cinnamon and cardamom to the cocoa coating.
- Orange hazelnut crunch: roll in very finely chopped toasted hazelnuts.
- Triple coat: roll in cocoa, then powdered sugar, then cocoa again for a tuxedo look.
Ways to Serve Festive Orange Chocolate Christmas Truffles Recipe
- Set them on a cookie board with shortbread, ginger snaps, and candied orange peels.
- Pair with coffee, black tea, or a small pour of tawny port.
- Tuck two truffles into mini candy cups and add to stocking stuffers.
- Crumble one over vanilla ice cream for a quick dessert win.
- Pack in a tin with parchment layers for neighbor gifts.
Storage
Store truffles in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 2 weeks. Keep different coatings in separate layers so flavors stay clean. Freeze for up to 2 months in a zip-top bag inside a rigid container, then thaw in the fridge. Bring to room temp for 10 minutes before serving so the centers taste silky.
Festive Orange Chocolate Christmas Truffles
These decadent Festive Orange Chocolate Christmas Truffles blend rich chocolate with zesty orange for a delightful holiday treat.
Ingredients
Instructions
- In a small saucepan, heat the heavy cream until it just begins to simmer. Remove from heat.
- Add the chopped dark chocolate and butter to the cream. Let stand for 1-2 minutes, then whisk until smooth.
- Stir in the orange zest and orange extract. Mix well to incorporate.
- Cover the bowl with plastic wrap and refrigerate until firm, about 2 hours.
- Scoop out heaping teaspoons of the firm ganache and quickly roll them into balls with your hands.
- Roll each truffle in cocoa powder, chopped pistachios, or sprinkles as desired.
- Store the truffles in an airtight container in the refrigerator until ready to serve.
Notes
These truffles can be customized with your favorite coatings. For extra festivity, roll in holiday-themed sprinkles. Serve chilled.