5-Ingredient Peppermint Chocolate Truffles Recipe

The Ultimate 5-Ingredient Peppermint Chocolate Truffles Recipe

Peppermint chocolate truffles revamp ordinary dessert moments into extraordinary culinary experiences.

Sweet treats like these can elevate any gathering with minimal effort and maximum deliciousness.

Rich cocoa and cool mint merge beautifully in this simple confection that feels surprisingly elegant.

Crafting these decadent bites requires just a handful of ingredients and basic kitchen skills.

Home cooks often seek impressive recipes that look complicated but remain wonderfully straightforward.

Small batch desserts like these truffles create instant conversation and excitement among friends and family.

Elegant yet approachable, these bite-sized delights promise to become your new favorite holiday or anytime indulgence.

Why 5-Ingredient Peppermint Chocolate Truffles Steal the Show

  • Create Creamy Chocolate Bliss: These truffles offer a luxurious, melt-in-your-mouth experience with incredibly smooth chocolate and peppermint fusion that feels like a decadent winter treat.
  • Simplify Gourmet Dessert Making: With just five ingredients and straightforward steps, anyone can craft professional-looking chocolates without complicated techniques or advanced baking skills.
  • Perfect Holiday Gifting Delight: Handmade truffles provide a personal, elegant touch for Christmas and winter celebrations, allowing you to impress friends and family with minimal effort and maximum deliciousness.
  • Quick Chocolate Transformation: From start to finish, these truffles require minimal active cooking time, making them an ideal dessert for busy home cooks who want something special without spending hours in the kitchen.

Just 5 Ingredients for Peppermint Chocolate Truffles

Chocolate and Cream Base:
  • Heavy Cream: Rich dairy base that helps create smooth, creamy truffle texture, best when fresh and full-fat.
  • Dark Chocolate: High-quality chocolate provides deep flavor and smooth consistency, choose 60-70% cocoa content.
Flavor Enhancers:
  • Unsalted Butter: Adds richness and silky texture, ensures glossy finish and balanced flavor.
  • Peppermint Extract: Brings cool, refreshing mint taste, pure extract gives most authentic flavor.
Coating and Decoration:
  • Dark Chocolate, Candy Canes: Chocolate creates smooth outer shell, candy canes add festive crunch and peppermint visual appeal, choose traditional red and white striped candy canes.

How to Roll and Chill 5-Ingredient Peppermint Chocolate Truffles

Step 1: Warm the Cream

Place cream in a small saucepan over low heat. Gently warm until tiny bubbles appear around the edges. Remove from heat immediately.

Step 2: Create Chocolate Base

Add chopped chocolate to hot cream. Let sit undisturbed for two minutes, then whisk until silky smooth and completely combined.

Step 3: Enhance Flavor Profile

Stir in:
  • Butter
  • Peppermint extract

Whisk energetically until mixture looks glossy and uniform.

Step 4: Chill Chocolate Mixture

Transfer mixture to a clean bowl. Cover surface with plastic wrap. Refrigerate for 2 hours until firm enough to shape.

Step 5: Prepare Chocolate Coating

Set up double boiler using:
  • Medium pot
  • Heatproof bowl

Melt chocolate slowly, stirring occasionally to prevent burning.

Step 6: Shape Delightful Truffles

Use small scoop or spoon to create uniform chocolate balls. Roll quickly between palms. Place on parchment-lined baking sheet.

Step 7: Dip and Decorate

Carefully dunk each truffle in melted chocolate. Sprinkle crushed candy canes on top for festive crunch.

Step 8: Allow Chocolate to Set

Let truffles rest at room temperature for one hour until coating hardens completely.

Tips to Make Perfect Peppermint Chocolate Truffles

  • Chill for Perfection: Refrigerate the truffle mixture for at least 2 hours to ensure a firm, easy-to-roll consistency that won't stick to your hands.
  • Master the Melt: Use a double boiler method for smooth, evenly melted chocolate without burning, stirring gently to create a glossy coating.
  • Quick Roll Technique: Work quickly when shaping truffles, using cold hands or lightly greased palms to prevent the mixture from warming up.
  • Chocolate Dipping Pro: Tap off excess chocolate after dipping to create a thin, even shell that looks professionally made.
  • Candy Cane Crush: Crush candy canes finely and sprinkle immediately after dipping while the chocolate is still wet for maximum adhesion and festive look.

Keeping Peppermint Chocolate Truffles Cool and Fresh

  • Refrigeration: Store truffles in an airtight container layered between parchment paper for up to 1 week. Keep them in the refrigerator to maintain their firm texture and prevent melting.
  • Freezing: Wrap individual truffles in plastic wrap, then place them in a freezer-safe container. Freeze for up to 3 months. Thaw overnight in the refrigerator before serving.
  • Serving: Remove truffles from the refrigerator 10-15 minutes before enjoying to allow them to soften slightly and develop their full flavor profile.

Sweets That Pair Well with Peppermint Chocolate Truffles

  • Pair with Festive Peppermint Coffee: Brew a warm peppermint mocha or cappuccino that complements the truffles' rich chocolate and cool mint flavor. The hot beverage enhances the truffle's creamy texture and brings out the peppermint's refreshing notes.
  • Match with Creamy Vanilla Ice Cream: Serve a scoop of smooth vanilla ice cream alongside the truffles for a delightful contrast. The cold, sweet creaminess balances the intense chocolate and provides a luxurious dessert experience.
  • Serve with Crisp White Wine: Select a chilled Moscato or Riesling to cut through the truffles' richness. The wine's light sweetness and fruity undertones create a sophisticated pairing that elevates the dessert's complexity.
  • Accompany with Toasted Nuts: Offer a small plate of roasted almonds or hazelnuts to add a crunchy texture and nutty depth. These nuts provide a savory counterpoint to the truffles' sweet and minty profile.

Fun Flavor Additions for Peppermint Chocolate Truffles

  • Mocha Mint Marvel: Swap peppermint extract with espresso powder for a rich coffee-chocolate flavor that adds depth and complexity to the truffles.
  • Dark Chocolate Chili Kick: Incorporate a pinch of cayenne pepper into the chocolate mixture for a spicy-sweet sensation that tingles the taste buds.
  • Nutty Crunch Sensation: Mix finely chopped roasted almonds or hazelnuts into the truffle filling for added texture and a subtle nutty undertone.
  • Coconut Dream Bites: Replace a portion of cream with coconut milk and sprinkle toasted coconut flakes on top for a tropical-inspired truffle experience.
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5-Ingredient Peppermint Chocolate Truffles Recipe

5-Ingredient Peppermint Chocolate Truffles Recipe


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4.6 from 15 reviews

  • Total Time: 2 hours 35 minutes
  • Yield: 24 1x

Description

Silky peppermint chocolate truffles melt hearts with luxurious French chocolate and cool mint essence. Quick holiday magic happens when rich cocoa meets festive peppermint, creating irresistible bite-sized indulgences you cannot resist.


Ingredients

Scale

Peppermint Chocolate Truffles Ingredients:

Main Ingredients:

  • 2 ⅔ cups (454 grams/16 ounces) semi-sweet chocolate, finely chopped
  • 1 cup (227 grams/8 ounces) heavy whipping cream
  • 5 ½ tablespoons (78 grams/2.75 ounces) unsalted butter, cut into small cubes and at room temperature

Flavoring and Coating Ingredients:

  • 1 teaspoon peppermint extract
  • 1 ⅓ cups (226 grams/8 ounces) semi-sweet chocolate, chopped
  • 6 full-size candy canes, finely crushed

Instructions

  1. Gently warm the cream in a small saucepan until it reaches a delicate simmer, then immediately remove from heat to prevent scorching.
  2. Add chopped chocolate to the hot cream and let it rest undisturbed for two minutes, allowing the heat to melt the chocolate naturally.
  3. Whisk the chocolate and cream mixture until it transforms into a silky, glossy ganache with no visible chocolate chunks.
  4. Incorporate softened butter and peppermint extract, stirring vigorously to create a smooth, homogeneous mixture.
  5. Transfer the ganache to a medium bowl and allow it to cool to room temperature, ensuring no residual heat remains.
  6. Cover the bowl with plastic wrap and refrigerate for approximately 2 hours until the mixture firms up enough to hold its shape.
  7. Create a double boiler by placing a heatproof bowl over a pot of simmering water, ensuring the bowl doesn’t touch the water’s surface.
  8. Melt two-thirds of the chocolate in the bowl, stirring occasionally with a silicone spatula until completely liquefied.
  9. Remove the bowl from heat and fold in the remaining chocolate, creating a glossy, tempered chocolate coating.
  10. Line two baking sheets with parchment paper and clear space in the refrigerator for chilling.
  11. Using your palms, quickly roll small portions of the chilled ganache into uniform spheres, working swiftly to prevent melting.
  12. Chill the formed truffles for 15 minutes to ensure they maintain their shape during chocolate dipping.
  13. Using a fork or dipping tool, carefully submerge each truffle in the melted chocolate, allowing excess to drip off.
  14. Gently place the chocolate-coated truffles on the prepared baking sheets and immediately sprinkle with crushed candy canes.
  15. Allow the truffles to rest at room temperature until the chocolate coating sets completely, approximately 1 hour.

Notes

  • Chilling is crucial for achieving the perfect truffle texture, allowing the mixture to firm up and making it easier to shape into balls.
  • Work quickly when rolling truffles to prevent the mixture from becoming too soft, which can make shaping challenging.
  • Use a fork or dipping tool when coating truffles to ensure a smooth, even chocolate shell that looks professionally made.
  • Crushed candy canes add a festive crunch and visual appeal, transforming these truffles from simple to spectacular.
  • Store truffles in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to a week, letting them sit at room temperature for 10 minutes before serving to enhance flavor and texture.
  • Opt for high-quality chocolate and pure peppermint extract to guarantee the most robust and delicious truffle experience.
  • Prep Time: 25 minutes (plus 2 hours chilling time)
  • Cook Time: 10 minutes
  • Category: Desserts, Snacks
  • Method: Simmering
  • Cuisine: American

Nutrition

  • Serving Size: 24
  • Calories: 202
  • Sugar: 14g
  • Sodium: 34mg
  • Fat: 13g
  • Saturated Fat: 8g
  • Unsaturated Fat: 4g
  • Trans Fat: 0g
  • Carbohydrates: 22g
  • Fiber: 1g
  • Protein: 2g
  • Cholesterol: 30mg
David Bennett

David Bennett

Founder & Head Recipe Developer

Expertise

Culinary Nutrition​, Recipe Development​, Nutritional Counseling​, Food Science​

Education

Johnson & Wales University

  • Degree: Bachelor of Science in Culinary Nutrition
  • Focus: Blending culinary arts with nutritional science to create health-focused cuisine.

Certified Nutrition Specialist® (CNS®)

  • Credential: Advanced certification in personalized nutrition therapy. ​

David Bennett is the lead recipe creator and nutrition expert at HealthyChoices.org, your friendly space for tasty meals that nourish body and mind. 

With a Culinary Nutrition degree from Johnson & Wales University and a Certified Nutrition Specialist® credential, David pairs practical nutrition with delicious cooking, creating recipes you’ll crave daily. 

At Healthy Choices, David shares easy, nutritious dishes and smart cooking tips to make healthy eating something everyone can enjoy, with no complicated diets needed.

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