Christmas Chocolate Truffle Recipe: 15 Perfect Desserts for the Holidays

It’s never too early to start planning for the holiday season, right?

If you’re the kind of person who loves to make homemade gifts for the holidays—and I know I am!—you’re probably already wondering what you can put together for your friends and family this year.

Have you considered giving away chocolate truffles for the next holiday season?

Chocolate truffles are a great homemade gift that’s perfect for just about everyone on your list!

In this article, I’ll give you 15 different, unique truffle recipes that are great for the holiday season. Whether you’re looking for dark chocolate, white chocolate, peppermint, or something completely unique, you’ll find out how to make it in the recipes I have listed below.

I’ve also put together a brief section of truffle tips and tricks to help you learn. That way, if you’ve never made truffles before, you’ll have no problem getting into these recipes right away.

Now, it’s time to get started!

Truffle Tips and Tricks

Before you get started, pay attention to these simple truffle tips and tricks to help make your cooking experience that much easier.

1. Easy Espresso Truffles

Sometimes, you just want to make the perfect present for the people in your life you care about most. But you might not have a lot of time to spend on that present! In this case, you need this Christmas chocolate truffle recipe to help you get started. It’s the perfect springboard for just about any ideas that might come your way. Best of all, you can top these truffles in anything to make unique gifts for everyone.

Prep Time: 20 minutes

Cook Time: 4 hours

Difficulty: 3

Procedure

1. In a heavy-bottom saucepan over low heat, melt butter completely, stirring often.

2. Add chocolate chips and stir until the entire mixture is very smooth and melted.

3. Add canned sweetened condensed milk, then turn heat to medium.

4. Stir constantly and cook over medium until mixture is pudding-like in thickness.

5. Remove from heat and add both vanilla and powdered espresso.

6. Cover tightly with plastic wrap and chill in the refrigerator for 2 hours.

7. Roll into 1-inch balls, then roll balls in Dutch-process cocoa powder.

8. Place on a lined baking sheet and chill again in the refrigerator for 2 hours more.

9. Serve.

2. Sweet Coconut Truffles

There’s nothing quite like the sweet taste of coconut to really help you get into the holiday spirit! With this very simple Christmas chocolate truffles recipe, you’ll be able to throw together a great coconut truffle the likes of which your friends and family have never seen before! You’ll be ready to give these truffles as gifts or serve them up as part of your next holiday get-together—that is, if you can keep from eating them all on your own first!

Prep Time: 20 minutes

Cook Time: 3 hours

Difficulty: 3

Procedure

1. Place chocolate chips in a large, microwave-safe bowl along with sweetened condensed milk.

2. Microwave on high for 1-1/2 minutes, then stir.

3. Microwave on high for another 1-1/2 minutes, then stir again.

4. Continue melting and stirring in 20-second increments until completely melted and smooth.

5. Add vanilla and stir again.

6. Cover and chill in the freezer for 3 hours.

7. Roll mixture into 1-inch balls by hand, then roll balls in flaked coconut.

8. Place on a lined baking sheet and return to the freezer fro about 10 minutes to firm.

9. Serve.

3. 3-Ingredient Holiday Truffles

Choose this recipe when you want to put together a batch of truffles that doesn’t include many ingredients at all! This is a very affordable recipe since it contains very little, and it’s also super easy to make even if you’ve never made truffles before in your life. Change up the toppings if you’re looking for a variety on your truffle platter, or stick to the chopped pistachios for a nutty and delicious holiday treat that’s sure to surprise and delight all your guests and gift recipients.

Prep Time: 50 minutes

Cook Time: 2 hours

Difficulty: 2

Procedure

1. In a medium heat-resistant bowl, place chopped chocolate and set aside.

2. In a small saucepan over medium-high heat, bring heavy whipping cream to just boiling.

3. Remove from heat and immediately pour over chocolate in the bowl.

4. Let sit 3 minutes, uncovered, then whisk together to melt until smooth.

5. Chill in the refrigerator, uncovered, for 1 hour.

6. Spoon 2 tsp mounds of mixture onto a lined baking sheet, then chill for 15 minutes more in the refrigerator.

7.  Roll mounds into balls.

8. Place pistachios onto a small plate and roll balls into chopped pistachios.

9. Return to lined baking sheet and chill in the refrigerator for 30 minutes to set.

10. Serve.

4. Powdery Truffles

These beautiful truffles are a great way to serve your guests a delicious treat that packs a little extra punch. When they’re finished and rolled in confectioner’s sugar, they look a little bit like snowballs, which makes them the perfect choice for a holiday table setting! Place them out in delicate glass dishes on the dessert table at your next get-together, or pack them up in silver foil liners to give out individually to your guests.

Prep Time: 20 minutes

Cook Time: 1- 1/2 hours

Difficulty: 3

Procedure

1. Finely chop all chocolate using a sharp knife, then place together in a large, heat-resistant bowl.

2. In a small saucepan over medium-low heat, warm cream until just before boiling.

3. Turn off heat and let stand 20 seconds more.

4. Pour cream immediately through a sieve over chocolate in the bowl.

5. Whisk together slowly until chocolate has melted completely and the mixture is very smooth.

6. Add coffee, Grand Marnier, and vanilla extract, and stir again slowly with the whisk.

7. Let stand at room temperature, uncovered, for 1 hour.

8. Place 2 tsp mounds of mixture onto a lined baking sheet and chill in the refrigerator for 30 minutes.

9. Roll mounds into balls by hand, then roll balls in confectioner’s sugar.

10. Return to lined baking sheet and chill for a few minutes more to set up.

11. Serve at room temperature.

5. Cookie Dough Truffles

Technically, these truffles don’t exactly fit into the traditional definition of a truffle, but they’re still a perfect crowd-pleaser you won’t want to miss! Kids are especially fond of these simple cookie dough truffles, so you might want to hang on to this recipe for those times when you’ve got a gaggle of little ones to entertain during the holiday season. Mix up the melting dipping chocolate you use to include dark, milk, and white chocolate flavors to satisfy everyone!

Prep Time: 30 minutes

Cook Time: 30 minutes

Difficulty: 2

Procedure

1.  In a large mixing bowl, combine brown sugar and peanut butter using a hand mixer (or use a stand mixer with a paddle).

2. Beat well until fully combined.

3. Add oats, coconut, and vanilla extract and beat again until a dough is formed.

4. Roll into 1-inch balls by hand and place on a lined baking sheet.

5. Chill in the refrigerator for 30 minutes.

6. Follow packaging directions to melt CandiQuik or other melting chocolate.

7. Using a fork, dip each cookie dough ball one by one in the melted chocolate, tapping to remove the excess.

8. Return to the lined baking sheet and chill again for about 10 minutes to harden.

9. Serve.

6. Hazelnut Chocolate Truffles

The flavors of hazelnut and chocolate work together to create a truly decadent taste that will please any party-goer. When you use this simple recipe, you should have no trouble making those flavors work for you! These hazelnut truffles are the perfect treat to give out as gifts around the holiday season. They are chocolaty, nutty, and have a dash of liqueur added to make them that much fancier, too. They take a little longer to prepare than many of the other truffles listed here, but they’re well worth it in the end!

Prep Time: 45 minutes

Cook Time: 9 minutes

Difficulty: 4

Procedure

1. Preheat oven to 325 degrees Fahrenheit and place hazelnuts on a sheet pan.

2. Roast hazelnuts for 10 minutes, then let stand at room temperature to cool.

3. Finely chop all chocolate and place in a large, heat-resistant bowl.

4. Place heavy cream in a saucepan and heat until just boiling.

5. Pour cream immediately through a sieve over the chocolate in the bowl.

6. Whisk slowly until melted completely and very smooth.

7. Add prepared coffee, hazelnut liqueur, and vanilla extract, and stir again slowly and carefully to combine.

8. Cover loosely and chill in the refrigerator for 45 minutes.

9. Scoop out 1-inch balls and place on a lined baking sheet.

10. Chill in the refrigerator for 15 minutes, then roll into balls.

11. Roll balls in toasted hazelnuts.

12. Place on a lined baking sheet once again and chill overnight in the refrigerator.

13. Serve.

7. Rich Holiday Truffles

There are times when you want a flavorful truffle packed with a bunch of different tastes, and then there are times when all you really want is to bite into a rich and delicious creamy chocolate candy. When you’re looking to keep things simple and perfect, look no further than this recipe! With only a few ingredients, you can put this recipe together and enjoy the creamy and smooth taste that defines a true French truffle.

Prep Time: 30 minutes

Cook Time: 3 hours

Difficulty: 3

Procedure

1. In a medium saucepan over low heat, combine heavy whipping cream and chocolate.

2. Cook while stirring often until chocolate has melted completely.

3. Remove from heat.

4. Add butter and stir gently until melted completely.

5. Cover and chill in the refrigerator for 2 hours.

6. Roll mixture into 1-inch balls, then roll balls in Dutch-process cocoa powder.

7. Chill in the refrigerator for 1 hour more.

8. Serve at room temperature.

8. Simple Cookies and Cream Truffles

This is another great choice if you’re planning to make some holiday truffles for the kids in your family! As a matter of fact, this recipe is so simple that the kids can even get involved with helping you make it. If you’re looking for something to let the kids help with so they can give homemade gifts to their friends or teachers at school, look no further than this recipe. And don’t forget that adults are sure to love the sweet taste of these truffles, too!

Prep Time: 20 minutes

Cook Time: 2 hours

Difficulty: 2

Procedure

1. Break baking chocolate into manageable sizes.

2. Place Oreo cookies in a sealed zipper bag and crush into fine crumbs. Set aside ¼ cup of crumbs for topping.

3. Place baking chocolate in a large, microwave-safe bowl.

4. Microwave on high for 20 seconds at a time, stirring each time until melted completely.

5. Place remaining cookie crumbs in a large bowl with softened cream cheese.

6. Mix to combine thoroughly, then roll mixture into 1-inch balls.

7. Place balls on a lined baking sheet and chill in the freezer fro 10 minutes.

8. Place reserved crumbs on a large plate.

9. Dip balls into melted chocolate one at a time using a fork. Tap to remove excess chocolate.

10. Sprinkle remaining cookie crumbs over chocolate balls on lined baking sheet.

11. Chill in the refrigerator for 1 to 2 hours.

12. Serve.

9. Gingerbread Truffles

Reach for this unique gingerbread truffle recipe when you want to chow down on the spicy sweetness of gingerbread without going to the trouble to make cookies from scratch. This is a healthy truffle recipe with added protein to help give you a burst of energy when you need it most to power you through the holidays. It also doesn’t include any additional sugar, so it’s much easier to fit into a diet than many of the other recipes listed here!

Prep Time: 20 minutes

Cook Time: 30 minutes

Difficulty: 3

Procedure

1. In a large bowl, combine everything except for the milk and chocolate. Mix well.

2. Add milk one tablespoon at a time until dough becomes formed but not sticky. You may not need to use the full amount of milk.

3. Combine thoroughly, then roll mixture into 1-inch balls by hand.

4. Place on a lined baking sheet and chill in the refrigerator for 15 minutes.

5. Set up a double boiler on the stovetop.

6. In the double boiler over low heat, melt baking chocolate gently until smooth.

7. Dip truffles with a fork one at a time in chocolate, then tap to remove excess.

8. Chill in the refrigerator for 15 minutes more.

9. Serve.

10. Vegan Holiday Truffles

There’s no need to leave out certain members of the family who might have special dietary needs this holiday season! With this easy vegan recipe, you can include anyone who’s trying to avoid dairy products and other animal ingredients. Best of all, these are gluten-free as well, so they make the perfect gift or dessert table addition for anybody who’s trying to stay healthy, lose weight, or just watch what they eat all year long.

Prep Time: 30 minutes

Cook Time: 1 hour

Difficulty: 3

Procedure

1. Place chocolate in a medium saucepan over low heat.

2. Melt slowly and gently, stirring often until completely smooth.

3. Do not shake your can of coconut milk. Open it and remove the cream from the top, leaving the water behind. This is your coconut cream.

4. Whisk full-fat coconut cream into melted chocolate over low heat.

5. Remove from heat and add salt, vanilla, and maple syrup.

6. Whisk well to be sure the mixture is completely smooth.

7. Add coconut and stir to combine well.

8. Chill, covered, in the freezer for 30 minutes.

9. Break up with a spoon and place uncovered in the refrigerator for 30 minutes more.

10. Roll into 1-inch balls by hand, then roll balls in cocoa powder.

11. Chill in the refrigerator for about 10 minutes more.

12. Serve.

11. Raw Truffles

Are you looking for a way to incorporate the raw food lifestyle into your holiday truffle preparation? Or are you maybe just searching for a unique truffle recipe to make for your next party and wow your guests a little more? Either way, this is a great recipe for you! It’s gluten-free, low-fat, low in calories, and a great way to enjoy a burst of sweetness and flavor without having to worry too much about destroying your diet in the process. Serve up these truffles as holiday gifts and be amazed as your friends and family chow down without even knowing how healthy they are!

Prep Time: 15 minutes

Cook Time: 15 minutes

Difficulty: 3

Procedure

1. Add dates, cranberries, and half of the orange juice to a small bowl and let stand for 15 minutes to soak.

2. Meanwhile, place hazelnuts and remaining orange juice in a blender or food processor and pulse until nuts are chopped finely.

3. Place hazelnuts in a bowl and pulse soaked cranberries and dates in blender or food processor for 1 minute.

4. Combine both mixtures, then add coconut oil, cacao powder, and orange zest. Add liqueur now if using.

5. Mix together to combine thoroughly.

6. Roll out 1-inch balls and place on a lined baking sheet.

7. Chill in the refrigerator for 15 minutes.

8. Serve.

12. Peanut Butter Truffles

Peanut butter and chocolate go great together, especially around the holidays! Although these truffles aren’t exactly the same as traditional truffles, they make for an excellent alternative for anybody looking to indulge in something delicious that’s packed with holiday flavor. Decorate them with red and green sprinkles or any of your other favorite holiday colors to really bring them together for your next party!

Prep Time: 45 minutes

Cook Time: 2 hours

Difficulty: 3

Procedure

1. Place sweetened condensed milk in a large microwave-safe bowl and microwave on high for 1 minute.

2. Add white chocolate and stir until melted completely. Heat in 20-second increments as needed to melt fully.

3. Add peanut butter and stir until completely smooth.

4. Cover and chill mixture for 2 hours in the refrigerator.

5. Roll mixture into 1-inch balls.

6. Roll half of the mixture in pecans and the other half in sprinkles.

7. Serve at room temperature.

13. Energy Boosting Truffles

The holiday season can be a tough time, and sometimes, you need a little extra help to get through that. When you bite into one of these energy-boosting truffles, you’ll be able to enjoy all the benefits of tons of healthy ingredients that are specifically chosen to help give you the extra energy you need to take care of all your shopping, cooking, and more! Though these truffles do include some harder-to-find ingredients, they’re worth the effort when you need something to power you through the season.

Prep Time: 20 minutes

Cook Time: 1 hours

Difficulty: 3

Procedure

1. In a large bowl, combine cocoa powder, maca powder, cinnamon, salt, and sesame seeds until blended well.

2. In a separate bowl, combine nut butter, vanilla extract, and raw honey until blended well.

3. Add wet ingredients to dry ingredients and mix by hand.

4. Roll 1-inch balls by hand and press a single dried cranberry into the center of each one.

5. Roll balls in sesame seeds.

6. Chill in the refrigerator for at last 1 hour before serving.

14. Peppermint Dark Chocolate Truffles

There are a lot of unique ways to change up the traditional truffle at the holiday season, and that’s great when you’re looking for something to help you stand out from the crowd! Sometimes, however, what you really need is the perfect combination of holiday flavors to help you set the mood. With these simple but delicious French-style truffles, you’ll have an excellent go-to truffle recipe that’s sure to surprise everyone in your family by how effortless and tasty it is.

Prep Time: 45 minutes

Cook Time: 5 hours

Difficulty: 3

Procedure

1. In a large microwave-safe bowl, place baking chocolate and microwave for 15 seconds on high, stirring afterward.

2. Repeat this process until chocolate has almost completely melted.

3. In a small saucepan over medium heat, place heavy whipping cream and whisk occasionally until just boiling.

4. Remove from heat. Add peppermint and vanilla extract and whisk again.

5. Pour flavored cream over chocolate.

6. Using a wooden spoon, stir chocolate very slowly and gently in the same direction until smooth and melted completely.

7. Cover tightly with plastic wrap and let stand at room temperature for 30 minutes.

8. Chill, covered, in the refrigerator for 5 hours.

9. Roll mixture into 1-inch balls by hand and place on a lined baking sheet.

10. Roll balls in cocoa powder to coat heavily.

11. Serve at room temperature.

15. White Chocolate Peppermint Truffles

Finally, we’re rounding out this list of holiday truffles with perhaps the most iconic of all chocolate holiday candies: the peppermint white chocolate truffle. This recipe makes for a light and airy ball of smooth chocolate goodness that’s topped with a little bit of peppermint for color and holiday flair. You can always add some food coloring to the coating chocolate if you want to really match your holiday gathering, but these truffles look beautiful without any additional décor, too!

Prep Time: 45 minutes

Cook Time: 2 hours

Difficulty: 4

Procedure

1. Place white baking chocolate in a large microwave-safe bowl with butter and heavy cream.

2. Microwave on high for 30 seconds, then stir. Repeat this process until melted completely.

3. Add salt and stir again.

4. Cover tightly with plastic wrap and place in the freezer for 2 hours to chill.

5. Follow packaging directions to melt melting chocolate in the microwave until smooth.

6. Roll out 1-inch balls of truffle mixture, then dip in melting chocolate with a fork. Tap to remove excess.

7. Place coated truffles on a lined baking sheet and top with a few pieces of crushed candy cane.

8. Chill in the refrigerator for 10 minutes to set up.

9. Serve.

Conclusion

As you can see, the holidays are a great time to try making truffles! Whether this is your first time making truffles at home, or you’re a seasoned pro, you can easily find the perfect recipe to help suit your individual tastes and needs this holiday season.

But which recipe is the best one? Of course, the one you choose all depends on what you’re looking for in a truffle. Do you need something in dark chocolate, or maybe something that’s vegan or gluten-free? Are you looking for something with a little orange flavor, or something kid-friendly?

My personal favorite is the White Chocolate Peppermint Truffles recipe. I think it perfectly encompasses everything the holiday season should taste like, and it looks great on a dessert table, too! It’s easy to make with ingredients you can find in just about any market, too. All in all, it’s my top choice for truffles at the holidays!

Remember, however, that you can choose any truffle you want from this list. The possibilities for your holiday truffle experiences are endless!