Plopped in a mug of milk and heated, these truffle hot chocolate balls make for some seriously delicious hot cocoa and great gifts.

I love me some hot chocolate. In a big, obsessive way. I love the stuff and may or may not be known to enjoy it year round.

If someone happened to give me truffle hot chocolate balls as a Christmas gift? Well, I’d seriously consider leaving my entire inheritance to them. (The fact that it consists of legos and wooden spoons is an inconsequential matter, I’d say.)

White mug filled with hot chocolate with marshmallows floating on top.

These truffled balls are a combination of divine chocolate and silky cream. The resulting ganache is chilled and then rolled into balls and wrapped.

The glorious mounds of chocolate can be frozen or refrigerated so they can be enjoyed as you like. Plopped in a mug of milk and heated, this makes for some seriously delicious hot cocoa.

A hand holding a truffle hot chocolate ball over a white mug filled with milk.

Just in case you might benefit from someone’s valuable inheritance, like mine, I wanted to pass this recipe on for rich, decadent hot chocolate balls that make a wonderful holiday gift (or to hoard and devour yourself).

Pile the wrapped balls in a mug, tie with a ribbon and instructions for the hot cocoa, and you are good to go. Your friends will love you.

But only if you ever make it to their house – I can’t emphasize how decadent and delicious the ganache truffles are. And the resulting hot chocolate is to die for.

Saran wrapped hot chocolate truffle balls in a white mug.

FAQs for Homemade Hot Chocolate Truffles

Can these be left at room temperature?

You can keep them at room temperature for a few hours after frozen (like if you’re giving them as gifts), but they really should be kept in the fridge for freezer for the most part.

Can I substitute water for milk?

I wouldn’t recommend using these with water- without milk, it wouldn’t have the rich, chocolate creaminess.

Would milk chocolate chips work?

My personal preference is that milk chocolate is too sweet….BUT many people love it, so I would definitely follow your chocolate preference on this one and use milk if that is what you like best.

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Truffle Hot Chocolate Balls

4.50 stars (14 ratings)

Ingredients

  • 12 ounces (340 g) semisweet chocolate chips, about 2 cups
  • 1 cup heavy cream
  • 1 tablespoon sugar, optional – I liked the richness of the chocolate without but in another batch, my kids and husband liked the extra sweetness
  • teaspoon salt

Instructions 

  • In a medium bowl, combine all of the ingredients. Microwave for one minute intervals, stirring often, until the mixture is combined and very smooth and silky. When you first start stirring, after the first minute or so, you’ll wonder if this mixture will ever come together. It will look grainy and messy but after it heats thoroughly and is whisked to combine, it will magically become beautifully smooth. Be careful not to overheat as the chocolate can seize. The trick is to stir often since the mixture will blend together even when it looks like the chocolate chips haven’t melted completely.
  • Let the mixture cool for about 10 minutes at room temperature. Cover the bowl with plastic wrap and place in the refrigerator until the ganache mixture is firm and scoopable, about 2-3 hours. Scoop out about 1/4-cup spoonfuls of the mixture and place them on a wax paper-lined baking sheet. My cookie scoop is about 1 1/2 tablespoons. I mounded two of the heaping cookie scoops full of ganache on top of each other to form one ball. Place the baking sheet in the refrigerator and let the mounds harden slightly, about 15-20 minutes. Roll the chilled mounds into balls and place on squares of plastic wrap (about 4 inches by 4 inches). Pull the sides of the plastic wrap over to cover the ball and place the balls in the freezer until ready to use.
  • To make the hot chocolate: pour 1 1/4 to 1 1/2 cups (depending on how rich you like your cocoa) milk into a microwave-safe mug. Carefully drop one truffle hot chocolate ball that has been unwrapped from the plastic in the milk. Microwave for about 2 minutes. Stir well until the chocolate is combined with the milk. Serve warm!
Serving: 1 Truffle, Calories: 315kcal, Carbohydrates: 22g, Protein: 3g, Fat: 24g, Saturated Fat: 14g, Cholesterol: 38mg, Sodium: 46mg, Fiber: 3g, Sugar: 15g
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Recipe Source: my version of a recipe seen in Cook’s Country