While truffles make for a sweet holiday gift, a stunning truffle tree is
sure to make any Christmas celebration unforgettable! This week, we’re sharing steps
to make your own truffle tree from RCI member, Annedore's Fine Chocolates, plus
inspiration for creating a very merry holiday showpiece.
For ease of construction, undipped ganache balls may be stored in the
freezer. Simply follow the instructions below for thawing and dipping the
ganache balls and you are ready to build a tree on demand.
Materials Needed
- Truffles
- Silicone mats
- Plastic wrap
- Foam block
- Parchment paper or aluminum foil (optional)
- Round toothpicks
- Tempered chocolate
- Foam cone
- Wrapping paper or fabric (preferably coordinating with the color of your truffles)
- Flathead pins
- Scissors
- Ribbon or tree topper (optional)
Step-By-Step Instructions
Prepare truffle centers using your favorite ganache
recipe. Pipe ganache onto silicone mats. Cover the mats with plastic wrap and
refrigerate for 12 hours. Transfer mats to the freezer for 12 hours. Remove
mats from the freezer and pop out ganache balls (Note: Ganache centers may
be returned to the freezer for future use). Cover balls with plastic wrap
and allow them to come to room temperature.
Cover a foam block with parchment paper or aluminum foil, so it can be reused. Adhere a toothpick into each ganache ball by dipping one end of the toothpick into tempered chocolate and then inserting that end into the center of the flat side of the ganache ball. Allow toothpick to set up firmly in the ganache ball.
Once the toothpick is firmly set in the ganache ball
you are ready to dip each ganache ball in tempered chocolate. Dip each ball
carefully and then insert tooth-picked end of the ball into the block of foam.
This will allow for perfect-looking, uniform truffles to create your truffle
tree. Allow chocolate to set up. Truffles may be decorated while standing in
the block of foam.
Before you begin to build your tree, first, wrap the
foam cone completely with wrapping paper or fabric – secure with flathead pins,
as needed.
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Beginning at the bottom of the cone, push the tooth-picked truffles into the cone working your way around the cone
to create the first row. On the second row, stagger the truffles by placing
them in the open spaces created by the first row. Carefully work your way up
the cone row by row until the entire cone is covered in truffles. Toothpicks
may need to be cut as you reach the top of the cone.
Christmas Truffle Tree Inspiration
While this truffle tree can be made to celebrate any number of holidays and celebrations, here’s some inspiration to make your truffle tree extra festive this Christmas.
Gingerbread Truffle
Tree
The addition of gingerbread
royal icing decorations, colorful non-pareils and foil balls make this truffle tree
especially festive.
Berries & Bows
This Christmas truffle
tree is understated and elegant with bright, red cranberries and a big wire bow
as embellishments.
Chocolate Roses
We love how this
truffle tree is adorned with hand-sculpted chocolate roses.
White Christmas
The use of white sprinkles, silver sprinkles and desiccated coconut helps achieve this dreamy white Christmas themed truffle tree.
A truffle tree is an eye-catching way for your customers to serve
truffles to a large group, in addition to an impressive merchandising display
for your retail shop. It is a big-ticket item that can add nice revenue to your
store’s sales. With a little advance planning, building the tree can be
relatively easy to execute.
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