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Dark-Chocolate Hazelnut Truffles

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It’s always a delight to pick up the first book in a brand new series and the cover of ASKING FOR TRUFFLE by Dorothy St. James drew me in… a chocolate shop, a cute dog, and a southern location! The protagonist, Charity Penn (who goes by Penn), was abandoned twice in one day as a newborn infant. Raised in her distant grandmother’s household by staff, she’s learned to shield herself from emotional hurt. As a result, she’s “prickly as a porcupine” and not quite like other cozy mystery protagonists. However, I thought Penn had a unique voice that was a bit self-deprecating, a bit snarky, and definitely world-weary. It gives the reader a different perspective as the story unfolds in the town of Camellia Beach which Penn describes as a rundown, shabby town where “only a bulldozer could fix a town as broken as this one.”

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While Penn may be prickly, Ms. St. James creates other lovable characters to surround her and I was charmed by the two elderly women who run The Chocolate Box, Bertie Bays and Miss Mabel. I loved the time Penn spent with them in the chocolate shop and drooled over the descriptions of the candies. However, Penn didn’t arrive in Camellia Beach to learn to make chocolates. She came in search of why her friend “Skinny” was murdered at the shop and who would do such a thing to him. Especially after the police insist that it was a druggy situation gone bad. Knowing Skinny wouldn’t be involved in that, Penn decides she must find the truth. In addition to the murder plot, there is a strong subplot surrounding Penn and The Chocolate Box. Ms. St. James has a magical way with words that brings magic to the story without it being paranormal. As a result, I felt that Penn found a place that she could grow in both self-confidence and respect for herself and I look forward to seeing what the author has in store for her.

The Chocolate Box is full of delicious candies and fortunately for the reader, the author includes several delectable recipes at the back of the book. Ms. St. James has graciously allowed me to share her recipe for Dark-Chocolate Hazelnut Truffles… which were so incredibly yummy I almost didn’t want to take the time to let the candy set and form into truffle balls! The recipe is very simple to make and didn’t require fussy tempering or difficult steps, which I greatly appreciated. I had to force myself to share some of the truffles with a few friends and the first thing they said after tasting was “Do you have any more?” and then, “You need to make this again, soon!”

Amazon Synopsis

When Charity Penn receives a letter saying she won a trip to Camellia Beach, South Carolina complete with free cooking lessons at the town’s seaside chocolate shop, The Chocolate Box, she’s immediately skeptical. She never entered any contest. Her former prep school friend offers to look into the phony prize―only to end up drowned in a vat of chocolate.

Struck with guilt, Penn heads to the southern beach town to investigate why he was killed. But as wary as she is of the locals, she finds herself lured into their eccentric vibe, letting her defenses melt away and even learning the art of crafting delicious chocolates. That is, until delight turns bittersweet as she steps straight into the midst of a deadly plot to destroy the seaside town. Now, only Penn’s quick thinking and a mysterious cask of rare chocolate can save the town she’s learning to love.

 

 

 

  A special thanks to Dorothy St. James for offering a hardcover copy of ASKING FOR TRUFFLE for one lucky winner! Contest ends Monday, September 18, 2017 at 11:59 pm PST and is open to U.S. residents only. Please use the Rafflecopter box located below the recipe to enter. The winner will be announced on this page and on Cinnamon & Sugar’s Facebook page, as well as notified by email (so check your spam folder!)

 

 

 

A fuss-free recipe, Dark-Chocolate Hazelnut Truffles is a decadent, mouthwatering treat that will have your friends and family begging for more!

Print
Dark-Chocolate Hazelnut Truffles

(So simple even Charity Penn can't ruin this recipe)

Ingredients
  • 3/4 cup powdered sugar
  • 2 tablespoons cocoa powder
  • 1 teaspoon salt
  • 6 tablespoons butter
  • 7 ounces 70% or higher fair trade dark chocolate bars, coarsely chopped*
  • 1/4 cup heavy cream
  • 60 whole roasted hazelnuts
  • 1/2 cup cocoa powder
Instructions

  1. Mix the sugar, cocoa, and salt in a bowl.

  2. In a medium saucepan, melt the butter over medium heat. Add the chocolate and stir until melted.

  3. Add cream and the sugar/cocoa mixture. Stir until creamy and smooth.

  4. Pour into a square dish. Cover and refrigerate for several hours until chocolate is set.

  5. Remove chocolate from the refrigerator.

  6. Use a teaspoon to scoop out chocolate. 

  7. Roll into bite-sized balls with a hazelnut at the center. They might be hard to roll at first, but as the chocolate warms to room temperature, it will become easier to work. If chocolate becomes too soft, return to the refrigerator for a few hours.

  8. Roll balls in cocoa powder. Serve immediately or store in a covered container in the refrigerator.

Tips

  1. *For a little extra crunch, use chocolate bars with nibs added or toss a small handful of chocolate nibs into the melting chocolate. 

  2. If the truffle candy sticks to your hands too much while rolling, liberally dust your clean hands with cocoa powder then try again. 

 

A fuss-free recipe, Dark-Chocolate Hazelnut Truffles is a decadent, mouthwatering treat that will have your friends and family begging for more!

 

 

 

 

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A fuss-free recipe, Dark-Chocolate Hazelnut Truffles is a decadent, mouthwatering treat that will have your friends and family begging for more!

 

 

 

 

 

If you receive my blog post via email you will need to visit my website to view the video.

 

 

 I was provided a copy of this book with the hopes I would review. All thoughts and opinions are my own.

 A fuss-free recipe, Dark-Chocolate Hazelnut Truffles is a decadent, mouthwatering treat that will have your friends and family begging for more!

 

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51 thoughts on “Dark-Chocolate Hazelnut Truffles”

  1. I don’t actually have a favorite candy shop, though I remember the wonder and excitement of visiting them in my younger days. I don’t see them very much in my area and miss the fun of opening a door and being inundated by the sight and scents of a wide variety of the sweet treats. A chocolate shop mystery sounds like grand fun.

  3. While I do love candy and chocolates, I don’t have a favorite candy shop. I only allow myself to indulge while on vacation. I try to find store that carry things I can’t find in Brooklyn. I grew up in the days of the “Penny Candy” store. We love Colonial WIlliamsburg and Cape Cod. Both of these places allow me to indulge my inner child.

  7. I do Sees candy but it’s a 70 minute bus ride but well worth it. Great review thank you, I love hte cover too
    Penney

  11. We have the coolest vintage candy shop that opened up a couple of years ago in town. It’s so much fun! You can get candy, soda pop and other yummy treats and fun, quirky gifts. It’s great!

  13. I live in a very rural area and we do not have any true candy shops. there is a Amish community within a short drive that i occasionally visit and stock up on fudges and other sweets

  14. We don’t have any local candy shops but on vacation in Gatlinburg, I always like to go and watch them make salt water taffy. Disney has some yummy candy shops as well.

  16. We had a wonderfday, a candy shop in our town for years! It was a sad day when it closed. They even had “penny” candy.

  17. I have visited a lot of candy shops and my fav used to be in San Bruno, Ca,. called Shaws ! I also like Sees candies and their dark choc mollasses sticks but my fav is honeycomb and years ago they used to have it just plain with no choc on it and wow that is just so good. Talking candy is my kind of talk!

  18. My favorite candy shop would have to be See’s Candy. I remember my Dad taking me there when I was little and for Valentine’s Day, I always received a few of the rectangle hard suckers as a gift from him.

  19. Well we always got candy from a kiosk in our local mall when we were younger, but I can’t remember its name. However, we had a little store around the corner called Mary’s. It was owned by a little old Italian lady, named Mary, and we kids would walk there. My favorite candy to buy there were ChicaSticks, and they only cost a penny.

  20. Candy shops are almost reduced to just tourist areas, however we used to have a See’s Candy shop that even made some of their delights on site. I remember going there with my mom to pick up some…
    c-h-o-c-o-l-a-t-e c-o-v-e-r-e-d c-h-e-r-r-i-e-s! Oh, they were the best! But just standing in the shop and enjoying the sights, the smells, and the occasional sample taste makes this memory hard to forget.

  21. My favorite candy shop growing up would be Mrs. Cavanaugh’s in one of the malls. As an adult it is Lindt, love their truffles!

  23. When I lived in California, it was always a special treat to get to a SEES candy shop. Unfortunately, there’s only one in Arkansas. and it’s inside a Dillards a good ways from home.

  26. There is one I love back in Ohio, were I am from, called Suzn L, They have the best chocolate covered strawberries.

  28. My favorite candy shop is Godiva. Several of the are malls have one. I love the chocolate covered strawberries! I’m really looking forward to reading this new series!

  29. I live in the Chicago area and I really like Fannie Mae and the Frango mints that used to be made by Marshall Fields and they are now sold at Macy’s. This recipe looks awesome, I love hazelnuts. Can’t wait to read “Asking for Truffle”.

  30. “Do you have a favorite candy shop?” I do not! But I love Fifth Avenue chocolate bars, napoleons, bismarcks, and macarons! I’m sure I would love Laduree in Paris if I got a chance to visit it! (I’m probably conflating “candy” and “pastry,” but I’m sure that’s okay.)

  32. We have See’s candy here. I don’t go there often. When I do, they always give a sample piece. They are so yummy.

  33. I used to love visiting the candy store at the mall when I was a kid. I can’t remember the name of it. My sisters & I just called it The Candy Store.

  34. when i was growing up we would go to Fannie May’s for a special treat.havent been to one since i moved,i will have to see if there is one around here.

  35. We have a Chocolate, Chocolate about 20 miles away.
    I seldom get that way so I go with the mixed Hershey bag
    from Wal-Mart. I don’t think I’ve ever had a truffle.
    Going to have to remedy that.
    thanks.

  39. Where I used to live, we did. I do not remember the name. It was situated in a mall. They had a chocolate, peanut butter swirl type candy that so one has been able to match. You had to be careful with it because it melted so easily. We moved back in the 80’s. To date. No one has come close

  46. You had me at Truffle! They are so rich and yummy. It doesn’t take much to get your chocolate fix! They are a few candy shops near me but they can be a bit on the pricy side. During holidays my husband makes his own candy!

  48. The first thing that came to mind was the Russell Stover Outlet stores! We stopped at one last week on a day road trip near Wheeling WV..

  50. Does Wal-Mart, or the grocery store, count? I do not believe there is an actual candy shop within 50 – 60 miles around.
    I do buy a lot of candy (almond joy, snickers, peanut butter cup, Hershey plain or almond, candy kisses, etc.) — at Wal-Mart.

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