Chocolate Truffles.

(From NPR's Kitchen Window)
Chocolate Truffles

The lovely thing about making truffles is that you can take a simple recipe and dress it up with chopped walnuts or hazelnuts or dried fruit, such as dried cranberries. Of course, the pure chocolate version is equally delicious, with either a dusting of cocoa or a chocolate coating. Makes 1 dozen truffles

1 1/4 cups heavy whipping cream
9 ounces high-quality bittersweet chocolate (70 percent cocoa), chopped, divided
Chocolate Coating (recipe below) or unsweetened cocoa powder, optional

Bring cream to simmer in small heavy saucepan. Remove from heat and let cool about 10 minutes.

Meanwhile, stir 7 ounces chocolate in metal bowl over saucepan of simmering water until smooth. Remove from heat. Add remaining 2 ounces chocolate and stir until smooth. Stir in cream. Chill truffle base until firm enough to roll, about 3 hours.

Line rimmed baking sheet with waxed paper. Roll 2 teaspoons truffle base between fingertips into ball. Transfer to prepared sheet. Repeat with remaining truffle base. Chill until firm, about 1 hour.

Chilled truffles can then be rolled in unsweetened cocoa powder or the Chocolate Coating.

Chocolate Coating

8 ounces high-quality bittersweet chocolate (70 percent cocoa), chopped

Line another rimmed baking sheet with wax paper. Stir chocolate in metal bowl over saucepan of simmering water just until melted. Remove from heat and let cool slightly in a shallow bowl.

Take a chilled truffle and lightly roll it in the melted chocolate. Place on prepared sheet. Repeat with remaining melted chocolate and truffles, rewarming chocolate if necessary.

Chill finished truffles until firm, about 1 hour. Truffles can be made 1 week ahead and stored in the refrigerator in an airtight container. Let stand at room temperature 1 hour before serving.