These rich, indulgent treats are super easy to make and will deliver gluten-free joy to your sweetheart!
Chocolate isn’t just for Valentine’s Day anymore! In fact, I consider chocolate to be the perfect gift for any occasion—from Mother’s Day to graduations to the moment your bestie realized she’d won her dream job. And if it’s homemade chocolate? Well, that takes it to a whole new level of sweetness.
I’d never made any kind of candy before discovering this dairy-free vegan chocolate truffles recipe. Rolling the balls of batter made a bit of a mess, but it was fun with my 10-year-old niece and her friend helping me. We donned our art class smocks, streamed some pop music, and pretended we were world-class pastry chefs! The toughest part was keeping ourselves from sampling all the treats while we made them. As an incentive, each of us decorated a cute little box with stickers and glitter to present the truffles to someone special. I made one for my partner, and the girls each designed one for their mothers. It was such a memorable afternoon!
When I finally got to taste the product of our efforts, I was overwhelmed. Even without butter or cream, these chocolate truffles are creamy, rich, and decadent. I think I’ll roll my next batch in crushed pecans for an even more complex flavor profile.
Are Dairy-Free Vegan Chocolate Truffles Healthy?
These truffles are a healthier alternative to traditional chocolate truffles, which often use heavy cream and butter, resulting in higher saturated fat and cholesterol. The coconut milk and agave in the recipe provide a creamy, rich texture and sweetness without dairy or refined sugar. However, the saturated fat content is still relatively high due to the coconut milk. While these truffles can fit into most vegan, dairy-free, and gluten-free diets, they’re still an indulgent treat that should be enjoyed in moderation.
Make a Paleo-friendly version by going with raw honey instead of agave and opting for unsweetened chocolate.
Pretty Presentation Tips
Giving these truffles as a gift? Whether it’s for Valentine’s Day, a special birthday, an anniversary—or just to sweeten the moment—you can dress up your vegan truffles with some thoughtful presentation. Make yours unique by pressing them into a silicone mold instead of rolling them into balls. Heart-shaped molds make a romantic statement, but you could use candy molds shaped like flowers, seashells, eggs, animals, or anything that fits the occasion. You could also roll your truffles in colorful edible sprinkles before or after rolling them in cocoa for a more festive effect. Achieve a luxurious feel with little effort by presenting your treats in dessert liners. Similar to muffin tin liners, candy paper liners keep the truffles from sticking to each other while making each one look like a precious little jewel. Extra points for placing them inside a sweet gift box.
How Do I Store Leftovers?
Don’t leave these chocolate truffles out at room temp for more than a couple of hours. They’ll start to melt and lose their shape—plus, the coconut milk could spoil. Store leftovers in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 4 weeks. You can also freeze truffles for up to 6 months. Freeze them until firm in a single layer on a baking tray, then transfer them to a freezer-safe zip-top bag or container. Thaw overnight in the fridge.
Serving Suggestions
These dairy-free vegan truffles make a delightful partner to a strong cup of Café De Olla. For a sweeter breaktime pairing, consider a Homemade Caramel-Vanilla Iced Coffee. You could also sneak these into a brown-bag lunch as a special treat alongside Basil Pesto Chicken Pasta Meal Prep Bowls or a simple Salami Sandwich.
Recipe
Ingredients
- 3/4 cup full-fat coconut milk
- 2 tablespoons agave or honey
- 1 1/4 cups dark chocolate morsels
- Cocoa powder for rolling
Instructions
- In a large pot over medium heat, stir together the coconut milk and agave. Cook until mixture just begins to steam, but don't let it come to a boil.
- Once the mixture is steaming, remove the pot from the heat and add the dark chocolate morsels. Let them stand without stirring for 30 seconds. Then whisk until the chocolate is smooth and melted.
- Pour the mixture into a small bowl and lay a piece of plastic wrap directly on the surface of the chocolate to prevent a skin from forming. Refrigerate until the chocolate is set, about 2-3 hours.
- Once set, take the chocolate out of the refrigerator. Use a cookie scoop to form balls of chocolate. Roll each ball in the cocoa powder and set aside.
- Enjoy immediately or refrigerate.
yummy!
Yay! Thanks for reading.