Dark chocolate truffles are an easy, fun dessert to make when I’m cooking many dishes but want to end with something sweet. They’re a no-bake dessert that can last a few days in the fridge.
I love these because your kids can spend time in the kitchen while you cook. Having fun as they completely make these on their own, or with minimal assistance from you.
Get The Kids Involved
Giving your littles ones an early start in the kitchen has its benefits; it’s an occupational therapy win as they learn hand coordination and cooking skills, whilst allowing them to explore their sensory senses and satisfy their curiosity and creativity.
All of which will do wonders for their mental health and help you spend time with them. Obviously dependant on their age and their level of independence, here are a couple of ways they can help:
1. Gather ingredients from the pantry
Treasure hunts can be a regular thing with this trick!
Write out the list of ingredients – or if you’re a super parent use pictures – get the kids to find the ingredients and gather them on the workstation where the magic will be taking place.
They’ll feel great knowing they can help prepare for the fun ahead while learning their way around the kitchen. This will make the ‘big’ spaces around the kitchen less intimidating and help with their confidence to do things on their own.
2. Help measure the ingredients
Who said numbers have to be boring?
If your kids are learning primary level mathematics going up, here’s a way of sneaking in a little practical knowledge. Plus, this is way better than trigonometry homework.
With a little guidance from you, most kids should have no trouble measuring out the ingredients needed with easy-to-follow instructions and good measuring cups.
For younger kids, something as simple as opening the ingredients containers and just dumping them into bowls gives them a sense of achievement.
Don’t be afraid to let them try measuring challenging amounts on their own, check and help guide them along the way and be prepared to “ooh” and “ahh” if the taste comes out different, haha.
3. Stir the chocolate while it melts
Okay, warning, proceed with caution on this one.
If your kids are old enough, they can help you stir the chocolate while it melts over the stove. Alternatively, you can melt the chocolate using the microwave and let younger kids stir in between intervals.
Kids 7 years and older should be able to work with melted chocolate but be sure to judge what your child is able to do before letting them help with this step.
4. Dip truffles in melted chocolate or other coatings
Allow the chocolate to cool to a comfortable temperature and let the messy play begin.
You can use a fork or kebab stick to dip the truffles. If they fall all the way in use a spoon to fish them out.
Allow them to roll the dipped candy in whatever coating you choose and encourage them to be as creative as possible.
With that prep out of the way, here’s how to actually make the dark chocolate truffles.
Ingredients: Yields 20
A slab of dark chocolate
1 packet chocolate Lemon Creams or chocolate Oreos
250g almonds (optional)
1/2 cup icing sugar
Coatings: chocolate Sprinkles, icing Sugar, cocoa
Instructions
Melt the chocolate over the stove or using the microwave.
Crush biscuits until fine. You can leave bits for texture.
In a medium-sized mixing bowl, stir together the melted chocolate and whisk until smooth.
In a separate bowl, mix together chocolate cookie crumbs, chopped almonds and icing sugar.
Add to the chocolate mixture, and stir until well combined.
Cover the mixture and chill it for 15min, or until firm.
Once the mixture is thoroughly chilled, scoop out small teaspoonful or spoonful-sized pieces and roll into balls.
Roll the finished balls in your chosen coating.
Transfer to an airtight container, to store in the fridge.
Notes
You can explore different flavours with biscuits combined with different flavoured chocolate. I tried strawberry biscuits with white chocolate and they came out in the cutest pink. And, always get an extra slab of chocolate in case the truffles come out dry.
You can have so much fun with these, enjoy and remember to let us know in the comments how your experience in the kitchen goes.
For more recipes from me, and to keep up to date with my cooking classes, remember to like ChellzKitchen on Facebook.
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