Watch CBS News

Market District Recipes: Chocolate Truffles & Sauces

If you're looking for a gift for your foodie friend or family member, be sure to check out this idea from the Giant Eagle Market District!

Chocolate "Truffles"

Compliments of Market District Chef Benjamin D'Amico

Ingredients:

  • 8 oz Callenbaut Bittersweet Chocolate, shaved into very small pieces
  • 1 cup Heavy Cream
  • 1 drop Fruit or Vanilla Extract (optional)
  • 1-2 tbsp Liquor (optional)
  • - Best: Chambord, Bailey's Irish Cream, Grand Marnier

Garnish:

  • Toasted Coconut
  • Sprinkles
  • Cookie, any type, crumbled
  • Peanuts, Pecans, or Almonds, crushed
  • Chocolate or Red Velvet Cake, crumbled
  • Powdered Sugar
  • Cinnamon-Sugar
  • Cayenne or Chipotle Powder & Sugar
  • Graham Crackers, crushed

Directions:

1. Measure out the chocolate and heavy cream out in microwave safe bowls. (for best results place the chocolate into a medium sized mixing bowl)

2. Heat the heavy cream in a microwave for 45 seconds or until slightly hot, set aside. (You can also heat in a pot on the stove, but be careful not to burn the cream)

3. Heat the chocolate in a microwave for 20-35 seconds at a time, each time remove and give a stir so the chocolate doesn't burn. Continue this until the chocolate is fully melted.

4. Add a small amount of the semi-hot heavy cream into the melted chocolate, about 2 tbsp at a time.

5. Stir the mixture until the heavy cream is blended into the chocolate, continue this until out of heavy cream.

6. Add in the optional slash of liquor or if desired fruit extract.

7. Refrigerate for an hour or until hardened.

8. Once hardened the mixture will be ready to handle.

(Note: The end result is actually a chocolate ganache, typically this would then be dipped in a chocolate and allow to hardened, thus giving a hard shell and creamy middle.)

9. Lay out any of the garnishes in small bowls of plates.

10. Take about a tablespoon of the chocolate mixture, roll into a small ball, then gently roll in desired garnish. (food safe plastic gloves are recommended, because the chocolate melts from the heat of your hand)

11. Refrigerate the truffles until ready to serve and garnish with choice of sauce.

Dessert Fruit Sauce

Compliments of Market District Chef Benjamin D'Amico

Makes: 1/3 cup Prep Time: 2 min Cook Time: N/A

Ingredients:

  • 1-2 tbsp Warm Water
  • ¼ cup Jelly or Jam (any type of fruit will work)
  • 1 tbsp Chambord Liquor or other Fruit Based Liquor (Optional)

Directions:

1. In a mixing bowl combine water with the fruit jam or jelly.

2. Whisk together until jam becomes a thick syrup.

3. Refrigerate until ready to use. If possible pour the sauce into a food safe squirt bottle & drizzle your favorite dessert.

Mint Sauce

Compliments of Market District Chef Benjamin D'Amico

Makes: 1/3 cup Prep Time: 2 min Cook Time: 10 minutes

Ingredients:

  • ½ cup Water
  • ¾ cup Sugar
  • ¼ cup Fresh Mint Leaves
  • 1 drop Mint Extract
  • 1-2 drops Green Food Coloring

Directions:

1. Heat the sugar, water and fresh mint in a pot over medium heat. Stir occasionally.

2. Once sugar is completely dissolved turn the heat down to low and allow to simmer for an additional 7-10 minutes.

3. Remove from the stove and add in a splash of food coloring, stir until color is blended .

4. Strain out the mint and discard.

5. Refrigerate until ready to use. If possible pour the sauce into a food safe squirt bottle & drizzle your favorite dessert.

Classic Chocolate Sauce

Compliments of Market District Chef Benjamin D'Amico

Makes: 1 cup Prep Time: 5 min Cook Time: 2 min

Ingredients:

  • 1/3 cup Heavy Cream
  • 1 tbsp Sugar in the Raw
  • 2 tbsp Agave Nectar
  • 4 oz Callenbaut Bittersweet Chocolate, Cut into small pieces
  • ½ tsp Vanilla Extract

Directions:

1. Stir together the heavy cream, sugar, agave, & vanilla in a microwave safe bowl. Microwave the heavy cream mixture for 45 seconds.

2. Remove from the microwave & stir in about 1/3 of the chocolate pieces. Stir until the chocolate is dissolved.

3. Repeat the heating & stirring process 2 more times until the chocolate is all mixed into the sauce.

4. Allow to sit for 15 minutes at room temperature for ease of serving.

View CBS News In
CBS News App Open
Chrome Safari Continue
Be the first to know
Get browser notifications for breaking news, live events, and exclusive reporting.