Chocolate Truffles

Diwali (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Diwali) is a traditional Indian festival of fireworks, lights and sweets. One of the best part of Diwali is exchange of umpteen varieties of sweets amongst family, and friends. Somehow indulging in sweets during Diwali does not even seem guilty!

My family is huge fan of dark chocolate.  Hence we decided to make these decadent dark chocolate truffles to complement the traditional Indian Diwali sweets.



We realized that the beauty of making truffles at home is that you can mix your custom flavors,  and control the intensity of each one of them. Flavored syrups, nuts, expresso, tea, cardamom, cinnamon..the list is endless!

Recipe

Ganache:
2 cups chocolate
1/3 cup heavy cream
1 tbsp butter

Tempering:
Dark chocolate

Step 1
Ganache (the soft truffle center)

• Chop good quality chocolate dark with sharp knife or use 60% chocolate chips
• In a pan bring 1/3 heavy cream just to a bare simmer
• Pour over chocolate,  and let it stand till the chocolate melts
• At this point, add different flavors
• Whisk until well blended
• Set it in the fridge for 3 hours
• After it is set, use a small melon baller to scoop out round balls of chocolate
• Use hands to roll it smooth

Work quickly so that they don't melt with the heat of your hands
Bit messy but fun!

Roll the truffle balls in coating of your choice: cocoa, toasted almonds, coconut etc. 
Refrigerate and Enjoy!

If you want some more adventure, go ahead with step 2.

Step 2 (optional)

Tempering
If you need to dip the truffles in chocolate coating, you have to temper it.
Tempered chocolate gives the truffle a smooth, shiny finish and a snap. Not to forget the professional look!

Temper chocolate as below.
http://www.ghirardelli.com/bake/chocolate_tempering.aspx
Dip the cocoa dipped truffles in tempered chocolate and lay it on the parchment paper.
Sprinkle some chocolate sprinkles, and luster dust. (http://www.amazon.com/Super-Gold-43-1233-Luster-Dust/dp/B0000VLH8S)   
Indulge in a guilt-free decadence. Watch it disappear right before your eyes!

A Book Cake

I enjoyed baking this cake for my friend's son's Annaprasana - ceremony of a baby's transition to solid foods.

It was the right time to flip the page and embark upon a new chapter in his life.
Bookmarked for easy reference!

Cake: Pound cake
Frosting: Simple buttercream topped with homemade fondant
Picture: Printed with edible ink on sugar sheet

My first 3-D cake!

I wanted to make my husband’s 40th birthday a memorable event. Since he is very passionate about photography, I figured that a camera cake would be the perfect surprise for his special day!

It turned out well although some imperfections can be seen on the surface. But considering that it was my first time making and working with fondant, I was satisfied with the outcome.

My husband was in awe and even now adoringly remembers this memorable gift!

Making of the cake

My husband’s camera and camera-cake!