i love to give presents that i made in my own kitchen. so for my mums’ birthday i didn’t only make a banana cake but also Tartufo al cioccolato as a sweet treat. these small Chocolate treats are typically served with eg an espresso in italy. it could be that 2-3 of the small cubes with hazelnuts make their way into my mouth the handy thing ist, that you only have to pour the tartufo mixture into a form and after its set you only have to cut it into bite-sized pieces and sprinkle them with cocao powder. so contrary to truffles there is no rolling of ganache and covering everything in cocoa or the like. that makes it a whole lot less sticky and quicker. but with the same great taste! this way you can whip up quickly a little something that brings joy to someone.

ingredients (about 20 pieces)

• 150 g whole hazelnuts
• 120 g heavy cream
• 150 g dark chocolate
• 200 g milk chocolate
• 50 g icing sugar
• 80 g butter
• good quality cocoa powder

preheat oven to 170°. line a baking tray with baking paper.

spread nuts on the tray and bake in hot oven for about 15 min until the hull gets dark brown. move nuts onto a dish towel, grasp at the corners to make a satchel and with your hands firmly rub nuts against each other (be careful it’s very hot!), so the hull comes loose. then coarsly chop them.

heat cream in a pot, add chocolates and let melt, remove from stove.

add in sugar and butter, stir until everything is melted. let cool down a bit, then fold in nuts.

lightly grease a small, flat form (15 x 20 cm) with oil and line with cling wrap. fill in tartufo mixture and let set in fridge for 6-8 hours or over night.

topple onto a cutting board – if it doesn’t come out easly briefly set the form into very warm water. remove cling wrap, cut into 2 cm squares and sprinkle with cocoa. store in fridge.

Filed under: chocolate, presents from the kitchen, sweets Tagged: chocolate, presents from the kitchen, sweets, tartufo