Heart-Shaped Chocolate Alternate Flavor Combinations
Since my book is titled Love, Guns, and Heart-Shaped Chocolate, when I was asked to write a guest blog post my mind immediately went to making a chocolate recipe. I did heart-shaped chocolate with espresso flavored ganache and toasted hazelnuts.
The espresso and the hazelnuts can be substituted for other things. And, let me tell you, I tried so many different flavor combinations it was insane.
I experimented with so many different flavors and ended up with so much chocolate that I looked like Lucy in the Chocolate Factory.
The espresso and the hazelnuts can be substituted for other things. And, let me tell you, I tried so many different flavor combinations it was insane.
I experimented with so many different flavors and ended up with so much chocolate that I looked like Lucy in the Chocolate Factory.
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I didn't put any down my shirt, though
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The other combos that I chose were:
Honey ganache with pistachios
This one was inspired by baklava and it was one of my favorite combos. For this one I started out with a Tbsp of honey. Taste as you go (I know that's tough but take one for the team) so that you can decide if you prefer a stronger flavored ganache. Don't go crazy with it though as it can affect the consistency. I'd say no more than 3 tablespoons.
Then I got plain, roasted pistachios already shelled because I do not have the patience to shell them all, chopped them and pressed them on the back into the ganache before letting it set in the fridge.
Raspberry ganache with cocoa powder (cocoa powder is traditional on a truffle but not every one cares for the it as it can taste kinda dry so I also tried it with a little bit of hot cocoa powder and it was so good.)
For the raspberry element I used Torani Raspberry Syrup that I had on hand because I put it in my coffee. It can be found in the coffee isle. I cannot stress this enough: use sparingly. This stuff is super sweet so I only used a tiny dribble. 1/8 to 1/4 tsp. Again, taste as you go.
Plain ganache (nothing fancy added) with oreo
Don't add any flavors to the original ganache recipe.
Then I put an Oreo between two paper plates and crushed it then pressed it into the chocolates.
Plain ganache with peppermint hot cocoa mix (this would be amazing for Christmas time)
My cousin bought me peppermint hot cocoa powder for Christmas this year and it tasted so good as the backing.
Peanut butter ganache with hazelnuts
1-3 Tbsp of peanut butter, press the hazelnuts on the back of the chocolates. (Oreo would also be yummy)
Kahlua ganache with hazelnuts
1-3 Tbsp Kahlua (this one's a good one for girl's night!)
I had quite a bit of hazelnuts left from the mocha ones so I used them a lot :) Almonds would be good, too.
Honestly, anything you can think of you can try with this recipe. Have fun with it, be creative.
Honey ganache with pistachios
This one was inspired by baklava and it was one of my favorite combos. For this one I started out with a Tbsp of honey. Taste as you go (I know that's tough but take one for the team) so that you can decide if you prefer a stronger flavored ganache. Don't go crazy with it though as it can affect the consistency. I'd say no more than 3 tablespoons.
Then I got plain, roasted pistachios already shelled because I do not have the patience to shell them all, chopped them and pressed them on the back into the ganache before letting it set in the fridge.
Raspberry ganache with cocoa powder (cocoa powder is traditional on a truffle but not every one cares for the it as it can taste kinda dry so I also tried it with a little bit of hot cocoa powder and it was so good.)
For the raspberry element I used Torani Raspberry Syrup that I had on hand because I put it in my coffee. It can be found in the coffee isle. I cannot stress this enough: use sparingly. This stuff is super sweet so I only used a tiny dribble. 1/8 to 1/4 tsp. Again, taste as you go.
Plain ganache (nothing fancy added) with oreo
Don't add any flavors to the original ganache recipe.
Then I put an Oreo between two paper plates and crushed it then pressed it into the chocolates.
Plain ganache with peppermint hot cocoa mix (this would be amazing for Christmas time)
My cousin bought me peppermint hot cocoa powder for Christmas this year and it tasted so good as the backing.
Peanut butter ganache with hazelnuts
1-3 Tbsp of peanut butter, press the hazelnuts on the back of the chocolates. (Oreo would also be yummy)
Kahlua ganache with hazelnuts
1-3 Tbsp Kahlua (this one's a good one for girl's night!)
I had quite a bit of hazelnuts left from the mocha ones so I used them a lot :) Almonds would be good, too.
Honestly, anything you can think of you can try with this recipe. Have fun with it, be creative.
