Red Wine Truffles Recipe
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An easy, four-ingredient red wine truffles recipe made with cocoa powder, dark chocolate, cream, and your favorite bottle of wine. The ganache only requires a few minutes of active prep time, plus an hour or two to chill. Then just scoop, roll, and enjoy. These red wine truffles are so simple to make. And the best part? No tempering required!
What Inspired These Red Wine Truffles?
I love to drink red wine, especially during the winter months. On a cold, dark evening, there is nothing better than a glass of Cabernet Sauvignon, Malbec, or Pinot Noir.n But as much as I enjoy drinking red wine, I think I’m even more fond of incorporating it into my cooking, baking, and chocolatemaking projects. (See also: my favorite red wine hot chocolate recipe, or these boozy red wine marshmallows!) Red wine makes a delicious addition to savory soups and stews as well. So, why not try adding red wine to a batch of dark chocolate truffles?
I created my first red wine truffle recipe a few years ago, while studying for my chocolatier’s certification at Ecole Chocolat. Since then I’ve made this recipe at least a dozen times, using lots of different combinations of wine and chocolate. These red wine truffles are easy to prepare and keep well in the fridge, so they make lovely last-minute gifts and dinner party desserts. They also offer a sweet way to use up all of the “odds and ends” of leftover chocolate left over from other recipes, or that last half-glass in an open bottle of wine.
Ingredients for Making Red Wine Truffles
- Red Wine – I’ve made cabernet truffles, and also tried this recipe with pinot noir and sauvignon blanc. Any red wine you happen to have on hand will work. Select a good-tasting wine you enjoy drinking, not a cooking wine.
- Dark Chocolate – You’ll want to use a good-quality dark chocolate couverture for this recipe, not grocery store chocolate chips. I like Callebaut 54.5% dark chocolate; a couverture by Valrhona, Guittard, or Cacao Barry would also make a good choice for this recipe, and better supermarket brands (Lindt, Ghirardelli) are also suitable. For the video below, I tested with Guittard Lustrous 55% dark chocolate couverture.
- Cocoa Powder – You’ll need unsweetened cocoa powder, not the sweetened kind you’d use to make hot chocolate. I like the bittersweet finish of plain cocoa powder, but for a pop of color, you can roll your truffles in freeze-dried beet powder, or use red sanding sugar for a sweeter finishing touch.
- Whipping Cream – Whipping cream (or heavy cream, if you’re in the US) gives the ganache its smooth and creamy texture. Don’t use milk or plant milk; these do not contain enough fat.
Red Wine Truffle Recipe Tips and Tricks
- Repurpose already-tempered chocolate. After a tempering project, I pour the leftover couverture out onto a sheet of parchment, allow it to cool and harden, then store it in a resealable bag labeled with the date, percentage, and quantity. When I’ve gathered enough odds and ends, I chop the chocolate into chunks and use it to make a big batch of truffles, or a chocolate ganache filling for macarons.
- Bring up to temperature. If making these truffles in advance, allow 15-20 minutes for the ganache to come up to room temperature before serving. You’ll also want to re-roll each truffle in cocoa powder prior to serving—the powder will absorb into the ganache when stored in the fridge for any length of time.
- Use truffle cups. Paper truffle cups are a nice way to serve your red wine truffles. They’re also less messy than placing the truffles directly on a plate.
- Scoop with a metal scoop. I recommend choosing a melon baller or cookie scoop with a release (like this one). Otherwise, the chocolate ganache may be difficult to remove from the scoop. (I also like to keep a mug of hot water nearby to dip the melon baller as needed, which also makes scooping easier.) You can make your truffles in any size you’d like, but don’t make them too big—they’re meant to be eaten in a few bites.
- Make a bain-marie. To melt the chocolate, you can use a double boiler, or sit a bowl over a pot of simmering water to create a hot water bath, or bain marie. See this post to learn how to make a simple bain marie.
Easy Red Wine Truffles
- Total Time1 1/2 hours (including chilling time)
- Yield12-14 1-inch truffles 1x
A 4 ingredient red wine truffles recipe made with wine, cocoa, dark chocolate, and cream.
Ingredients
130 grams dark chocolate couverture (4 1/2 ounces; about 1 cup)
60 milliliters red wine (1/4 cup)
30 milliliters whipping cream (2 tablespoons)
Cocoa powder, for rolling the truffles
Instructions
Line a quarter sheet tray with parchment or a silicone baking mat.
Melt dark chocolate over a bain marie or double boiler.
Meanwhile, combine red wine and whipping cream in a small saucepan and warm over medium-low heat. Do not boil.
Whisk the warm cream mixture into the melted chocolate. Remove from heat.
Cover bowl with plastic wrap. Refrigerate 1-2 hours, or until firm enough to scoop.
Use a melon baller or small cookie scoop to portion the chilled ganache, using your hands to smooth and shape each portion into a round ball.
Roll balls in cocoa powder. Arrange on prepared tray. Refrigerate until ready to serve.
Roll chilled truffles in a second coating of cocoa powder prior to serving. Serve in paper truffle cups.
Store leftover red wine truffles in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 1 week. Re-roll in cocoa powder and allow to stand at room temperature for 10-20 minutes prior to serving.
Notes
You can make your truffles in any size you’d like. I made mine about 1 inch in diameter.
Make-Ahead and Storage Suggestions
To make ahead: You can prepare the red wine ganache up to 24 hours in advance, cover with plastic wrap, and refrigerate. Allow to come up to room temperature for 10-15 minutes prior to scooping.
To store: Store homemade red wine truffles in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to one week. Re-roll in cocoa powder and allow the truffles to stand at room temperature for 5-10 minutes prior to serving.
Other Chocolate Truffle Recipes You Might Enjoy
Coconut Oreo Truffles
Guinness Truffles
Basil Coconut Truffles
Sparkling Rosé Truffles
Creamsicle Truffles
And if you do make these, or any of my recipes, don’t forget to tag me @bastecutfold or use the hashtag #bastecutfold on Instagram. I always love to see what you’re making!
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