HALLOWE'EN CHILLI CHOCOLATE TRUFFLES, easy, lower added sugar

Sophisticated low-added-sugar treat for chocolaholics on Hallowe'en...                         

Deep dark chocolate truffles with shards of fresh chillis 
'Perfect!' 'I can taste the chilli but it's not hot; the chocolates are dark, rich & velvety' ''Really smooth, lovely chocolate.'

Though this 67 recipe is perfect for a Hallowe'en gathering, mixing chilli with chocolate is a year-round thing in Mexico and Latin America.  They add chocolate to everything - gorgeously - in drinks, treats and even meat casseroles.

This specially-created recipe by 67goingon50 is European-style -- sophisticated but delicate.  There's a little less fire but enough of a slow, gentle burn to enhance the deep undertones of dark chocolate.

And if you hate wrestling with truffle balls that smear chocolate all over your kitchen?  Well, all you have to do is  turn the truffles out of the pan in which they've set and cut it into small rectangles.  Simples!

These adult morsels are perfect after fireworks, as a warming treat or dropped into hot chocolate.  Kids should have a non-spicy version (alternate recipe below.) 

Cost: £2.50
Makes: 24 to 30 truffles

Ingred:
   200gm/7oz 70% cocoa-butter dark or bittersweet chocolate (67 prefers M&S but Morrisons will do, or for the frugal, Bournville) 
   200ml double cream
     35gm/1 1/4 oz unsalted butter

   1 med-large dried chipotle chilli*, steeped in boiling water 3-4 mins & drained
  1/2 tbsp cinnamon
  1/4 tsp cayenne powder
  1/4 tsp salt

Note: for the full effect of the spices, don't stint on the cayenne 

Garnishes: cocoa powder; slivers of fresh red/yellow chillis, seeds & membranes removed (opt)

Method:

1. Chop chocolate finely - use a sharp heavy knife not a processor;  set aside  
2. Melt cream & butter in a med saucepan over med-low heat until the butter melts & small bubbles appear around the edge of the pot; keep your eyes on it and don't let it boil
3. Take it off the heat; add chipotle chilli, stir in cinnamon, cayenne & salt; transfer to a clean bowl; cover loosely, leave to steep 2 hours.  
4. Clean the pan
5. After cream has cooled, remove chipotle chilli; add a few tablespoons of cream and reheat in cleaned pan until steam rises and small bubbles appear around the edge of the pot; DO NOT ALLOW TO BOIL; the task is to make the cream hot enough to melt the chocolate when it's added but not so hot that the cream boils
6. Remove from heat
7. Add the finely chopped chocolate in thirds, stirring with a whisk, making sure each addition is completely melted before you add the next third
8. Pour into a square container 8 inches x 8 inches/20cm x 20cm or equiv rectangle lined with a double layer of clingfilm pushed into the corners
9. Cool to room temperature, cover with clingfilm; refrigerate 4 hours or overnight.
10. When truffle base is cold, sprinkle cocoa (not hot chocolate) over a large piece of greaseproof paper; turn truffle out onto it; remove clingfilm; cut into 24 equal pieces with a sharp knife dipped in very hot water 
11. Sift more cocoa over the bricks until they are well covered
12. Decorate some bricks with finely sliced fresh chilli (opt)
13. Serve with serviettes; freeze up to one month

Comments:

• 'Perfect.' Local council candidate
• 'Mmm. I can taste the chilli but it's not hot; the warmth hits the back of the tongue. The truffles are dark and lovely, rich and velvety.' The delightfully youthful Judy, aromatherapist & reflexologist for hospital cancer patients 
• 'A warming heat without the harshness of chilli in smooth, lovely chocolate.' Political Agent
• 'The final version is lovely; I like the heavier dusting of cocoa powder and there's more of a kick of chilli afterwards.' Senior office Woman Friday

Tips:

• Child friendly option - use milk baking chocolate; replace spices with 1/2 tsp vanilla, orange or peppermint essence; when set & cut into bricks.  For added colour, coat individually in melted white baking chocolate & drizzle with orange or red icing (1/2-1 tbsp milk to 3 tbsp icing sugar) 
• obviously you can make round truffles but bricks are quicker &  easier
• *dried chipotles are not outrageously expensive & pep up other dishes; 67's came from Waitrose

                                                                                 More Skinnier sweets on NavBar: Recipes 11

        

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This recipe has been developed by B M Lee/ Bright Sun Enterprises.  It may not be reproduced without the author's written permission.