Maple Walnut Truffles Recipe
Delightfully rich and creamy Maple Walnut Truffles combine the sweet, natural flavor of pure maple syrup with toasted walnuts and a smooth chocolate coating. These bite-sized treats are perfect for gifting or indulging, featuring a tender truffle center dipped in luscious chocolate and decorated with elegant swirls. Easy to make and irresistibly delicious, these truffles are a perfect balance of nutty and sweet flavors.
- Author: Daniel
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 10 minutes (for toasting walnuts)
- Total Time: 55 minutes
- Yield: Approximately 24 truffles 1x
- Category: Dessert
- Method: No-Cook
- Cuisine: American
- Diet: Vegetarian
Truffle Base
- ¼ cup (57g) unsalted butter, softened
- 1 tablespoon (15ml) pure maple syrup
- 1 ½ cups (170g) powdered sugar
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
- ¼ teaspoon maple extract
- 1 cup (96g) chopped toasted walnuts
Chocolate Coating
- 8 ounces chocolate candy melts (such as Candiquik)
- 2 teaspoons heavy whipping cream (optional)
- Prepare the Truffle Mixture: In a mixing bowl, combine the softened butter, pure maple syrup, and powdered sugar. Using a hand mixer, blend the ingredients until creamy. Add the vanilla and maple extracts and continue beating. If the mixture is too crumbly or having trouble coming together, add 1 teaspoon of heavy cream or milk and mix again, adding up to an additional teaspoon if needed. Stir in the chopped toasted walnuts until evenly distributed.
- Form and Chill Truffle Balls: Scoop out the mixture into 1 tablespoon-sized balls using a spoon. Place the balls onto a baking sheet lined with wax paper. Chill them in the refrigerator for 30 minutes to firm up before dipping.
- Melt the Chocolate Coating: Place the chocolate candy melts in a microwave-safe bowl and melt according to the package instructions, stirring until smooth.
- Shape Truffles: After chilling, roll each truffle between your palms to form a smooth, cohesive ball to ensure even coating with chocolate.
- Dip the Truffles: Using a spoon, gently spoon the melted chocolate over each truffle without rolling it around in the chocolate. Lift the truffle with a fork and carefully tap off any excess chocolate. Place the dipped truffle back onto the wax paper-lined cookie sheet. Use a toothpick if needed to help release the truffle from the fork without disturbing the coating.
- Re-Chill To Firm Up: Chill the dipped truffles for a few minutes until the chocolate coating is semi-hard. If the truffles soften too much during the process, re-chill them and dip only a few at a time to maintain texture.
- Decorate: Transfer the remaining melted chocolate into a squeeze bottle or a plastic bag with a small cut at the tip. Pipe swirls or decorative swipes over the truffles while the coating is still soft for an elegant finish. Let the decoration set before serving or storing.
Notes
- To toast walnuts, spread them on a baking sheet and bake at 350°F (175°C) for about 8-10 minutes until fragrant and lightly browned.
- Candy melts are ideal for coating as they melt smoothly and harden with a glossy finish.
- The optional heavy whipping cream helps to smooth the truffle mixture if it’s too dry or crumbly.
- If truffles soften too quickly during dipping, keep the mixture chilled and only dip a few at a time for best results.
- For easier handling, use toothpicks and forks as described when dipping and coating to keep the appearance neat.
Keywords: maple truffles, walnut truffles, chocolate truffles, easy holiday desserts, no bake truffles, maple syrup desserts, nutty chocolate treats