Beetroot Chocolate truffles
Beetroot chocolate truffles – made with a mixture of cooked and pureed beetroot, dark chocolate, cream, and a few other simple ingredients. Easy to make and require only a few steps. Smooth and creamy truffle with a subtle beetroot flavour and a rich chocolate taste. These chocolate beetroot truffles are perfect for a healthy dessert or a sweet treat to snack on during the day.
Have you ever tried combining chocolate and beetroot? I know it sounds unusual, right? Growing up, beetroot was a staple in my household. We’d have it at least once a week, and I loved it! But chocolate? We rarely had it, so the thought of mixing it with beetroot never crossed my mind.
But let me tell you, the combination of chocolate and beetroot took me by surprise. And now, I’m making beetroot chocolate truffles for all of us to enjoy! I mean, who would’ve thought that hiding vegetables in snacks could be so fun, especially when you can’t even taste them?
Beetroot has a quiet and sweet taste that brings a beautiful flavour when combined with cacao and chocolate. And let’s not forget about the nutritional benefits! Beetroot is high in fibre, vitamin C, and antioxidants. So not only are these truffles delicious but also healthy.
I urge you to step out of your comfort zone and give these beetroot chocolate truffles a try. You might be surprised by how much you love them. Who knows, it might become a new staple in your household too. But shh, let’s keep the secret ingredient between us, and watch your friends and family guess what it is.
A Brief History of Chocolate Truffles
Before we dive into the specifics of chocolate beetroot truffles, let’s take a moment to appreciate the rich history of chocolate truffles in general. These bite-sized treats got their start in France in the late 1800s and were named after their resemblance to the prized truffle mushroom. Originally made with a ganache filling of chocolate and cream, truffles have since evolved to include a wide variety of flavours and ingredients, including the star of our show today: beetroot.
Fun Facts About Beetroot
Before we dive into the recipe for chocolate beetroot truffles, let’s take a moment to appreciate the star ingredient – beetroot. Did you know that beetroot was used by the ancient Romans? They used it for medicinal purposes, such as treating fevers and constipation. Today, beetroot is enjoyed for its sweet and earthy flavour, as well as its vibrant colour.
Beetroot is also a nutritional powerhouse. It is high in fibre, folate, and potassium. Additionally, it contains nitrates, which have been shown to improve blood flow and lower blood pressure. So not only will you be satisfying your sweet tooth with these chocolate beetroot truffles, but you’ll also be getting a dose of healthy nutrients.
Health Benefits of Ingredients in Chocolate Beetroot Truffles
Beetroot isn’t the only healthy ingredient in these truffles. There’s also dark chocolate: with a high percentage of cocoa solids, is packed with antioxidants that can protect your body from free radicals and inflammation. It also contains flavanols, which have been shown to improve heart health by lowering blood pressure and improving blood flow.
Hazelnuts are a great source of healthy fats, fibre, and protein. They are also rich in vitamin E, which is an antioxidant that can protect your cells from damage. Additionally, hazelnuts contain magnesium, which is important for bone health and can help regulate blood sugar levels.
Cacao powder is made from raw cacao beans that have been ground into a powder. It is a great source of flavanols, which as mentioned earlier, can improve heart health. Cacao powder is also high in iron, magnesium, and zinc.
Tips for Perfecting Your Chocolate Beetroot Truffles
Now that you know what chocolate beetroot truffles are, let’s get into how to make them. Here are some tips to help you perfect your truffles:
- Use fresh ingredients: When making chocolate beetroot truffles, it’s important to use fresh ingredients. Fresh beetroot will have a better flavour and texture than canned or frozen beetroot. Similarly, using fresh cream and high-quality dark chocolate will give your truffles a richer taste.
- Use a food processor: To get a smooth and creamy texture for your truffles, it’s important to use a food processor to puree the beetroot. This will ensure that there are no lumps in the mixture and that the beetroot is evenly distributed throughout the truffle.
- Chill the mixture: After you’ve mixed all the ingredients together, it’s important to chill the mixture before rolling it into truffles. This will make the mixture easier to handle and will help the truffles keep their shape.
How to Melt Dark Chocolate
One of the key ingredients in chocolate beetroot truffles is dark chocolate. Here’s a step-by-step guide on how to melt dark chocolate:
- Chop the chocolate into small pieces and place it in a heatproof bowl.
- Fill a saucepan with water and bring it to a simmer.
- Place the bowl of chocolate over the saucepan, making sure that the bottom of the bowl doesn’t touch the water.
- Stir the chocolate occasionally until it’s completely melted.
- Remove the bowl from the saucepan and let the chocolate cool slightly before using it in your recipe.
Creative Ways to Serve and Enjoy Your Chocolate Beetroot Truffles
Now that your truffles are ready, it’s time to think about how to serve and enjoy them. Here are some creative ideas:
- Dust with cocoa powder: Dusting your truffles with cocoa powder will give them a professional look and add a little extra chocolate flavour. Be sure to allow the chocolate to dry before dusting the cocoa powder.
- Roll in chopped nuts: Rolling your truffles in chopped nuts, such as almonds or hazelnuts, will add a crunchy texture and a nutty flavour.
- Drizzle with white chocolate: For an extra touch of sweetness, drizzle your truffles with melted white chocolate. This will also add a beautiful contrast to the dark chocolate truffles.
FAQS ON BEETROOT CHOCOLATE TRUFFLES
Reasons to have these chocolate beetroot truffles
- Refined sugar-free
- Packed with antioxidants
- Super simple to make
- Tastes heavenly
And there you have it - everything you need to know about chocolate beetroot truffles! Not only are they a delicious and indulgent treat, but they're also packed with healthy ingredients like beetroots, dark chocolate, and hazelnuts. Step out of your comfort zone and try this recipe for yourself? Have you ever hidden vegetables in your treats and desserts? Share your favourite recipes in the comments below!
More treats!
Beetroot Chocolate truffles
Ingredients
- 2 beetroots small: cooked & peeled
- 1 cup hazelnuts You can use 1 cup of oatmeal to make it nut-free
- 6 Medjool dates pitted, soaked in warm water
- ½ cup oatmeal
- ¼ cup dried cranberries
- 2-3 tbsp cacao powder
- 4 tbsp coconut oil
- 2 tbsp maple syrup
- 85% 200g dark chocolate melted
Instructions
- Start by processing your hazelnuts in a food processor until they’re finely ground. If you’re using oatmeal instead, you can skip this step.
- Add the cooked beetroots, soaked dates, oatmeal (if using), dried cranberries, cacao powder, coconut oil, and maple syrup to the food processor. Pulse until everything is well combined and forms a sticky dough.
- Transfer the dough to a mixing bowl and chill in the fridge for at least 20 minutes.
- Line a baking sheet with parchment paper.
- Roll the chilled dough into small balls, about 1 inch in diameter.
- Melt your dark chocolate using a double boiler or by microwaving in 30-second intervals, stirring between each interval.
- Dip each truffle in the melted chocolate, using a fork to coat it evenly.
- Place the coated truffles on the lined baking sheet and chill in the fridge for at least 10 minutes to set.
