Dark Chocolate Vegan Truffles

These Vegan Truffles are filled with a dark chocolate ganache, then rolled in cocoa powder for a final, elegant touch. They’re rich, velvety, and the perfect vegan spin on the classic French truffles. Dazzle your loved ones with these decadent sweet treats during holidays and special occasions! 

The Origin of Chocolate Truffles

Although many countries claim their own version of the chocolate truffle, the original truffle is said to have originated in Chambery France in the early 1900s. It is unknown who created the first truffle, but credit is given to French chef, Auguste Escoffier and French patisserie, Louis Dufour. 

The word truffle comes from the Latin word, ‘tuber,’ which translates to ‘lump.’ The chocolate truffle is also meant to emulate the shape and look of mushroom truffles. 

Over time, the chocolate truffle has morphed depending on the region, but it has always kept a key ingredient at the center: chocolate ganache. Most truffles are made with heavy cream, but these vegan truffles are made with a simple non-dairy swap and are equally rich and chocolatey!

Ingredients You’ll Need 

• Dark chocolate: When making chocolate truffles, you’ll want to use a high-quality dark chocolate bar. Reserve vegan milk chocolate or semi-sweet chocolate for recipes such as our Vegan Snickers Bars recipe or 3-Ingredient Swirled Chocolate Bark. Extra dark, quality chocolates are low in additives and will harden much faster and consistently than creamy chocolates. 
• Full-fat coconut milk: Most non-vegan French truffles are made using heavy whipping cream. In order to replicate this rich, creamy consistency, we swapped the dairy cream with a can of full-fat coconut milk. It’s so luscious and rich, you won’t believe it’s vegan! 
• Vanilla extract: A small splash of vanilla helps add sweetness and depth of flavor. If you’d like, you can also try almond extract for a similar variety. 
• Cocoa powder: For rolling the vegan truffles! Either cocoa powder or cacao powder work great. When shopping for a vegan-friendly brand, check that the only ingredient is cocoa. There should be no dairy or sugar additives. 

Equipment Needed

• Heat-proof bowl
• Small saucepan
• Spatula
• Cookie scoop or measuring spoons
• Plastic wrap or reusable wrap
• Small shallow dishes

How to Make Vegan Truffles

1. Melt the dark chocolate. Place the chopped chocolate in a heat-proof bowl. In a separate small saucepan, heat the coconut milk over medium heat until simmering. Pour the hot coconut milk over the chocolate and let it sit for 5 minutes. 
2. Stir in vanilla extract. After 5 minutes, add in the vanilla extract and stir until the mixture is smooth and glossy. 
3. Cover tightly with plastic wrap. Press plastic wrap against the surface of the chocolate mixture and place it in the fridge to chill for at least 2 hours. 
4. Roll the truffles. Add the cocoa powder to a shallow dish. Then, once the dark chocolate mixture has chilled for a minimum of two hours, scoop 2 to 3 teaspoons of the mixture at a time and quickly roll it into chocolate balls using your hands. Coat the balls in cocoa powder and repeat until all of the chocolate has been used up. You should be able to make about 24 vegan truffles. 
5. Serve. Enjoy vegan truffles chilled or at room temperature. 

Variations and Add-ins

Classic French truffles are typically rolled in a light coating of cocoa powder, but feel free to switch it up based on your personal preference, or make it with a variety of toppings! Here are a few popular variation ideas to inspire you: 

• Chocolate sprinkles: It’s true that many conventional chocolate sprinkles are not vegan because they often contain ingredients like dairy, cochineal, confectioner’s glaze, or beeswax, but there are a few vegan options to choose from! Whole Foods brand 365 makes vegan chocolate sprinkles and is found in stores. You can also find vegan-friendly brands on Amazon, such as NATURAL Chocolate Sprinkles Jimmies or People’s Keto.
• Valentine’s day sprinkles: You can’t go wrong with gifting your loved ones vegan truffles on Valentine’s day. Roll them in red and pink sprinkles to make them festive! 
• Freeze-dried raspberries: Grind freeze-dried raspberries into a powder, then roll the truffles in them for a naturally pink coloring. 
• Nuts – Crushed hazelnuts, peanuts, walnuts, or even almonds would be delicious. 
• Dipped in chocolate – If you’re looking for the ultimate chocolate truffles, dip the rolled truffles in melted dark chocolate. Place on a parchment-lined baking sheet and refrigerate until the outer shell hardens. You can even drizzle the hardened chocolate shells with additional dark chocolate or vegan white chocolate for a gorgeous finishing touch!

Storage Instructions

Vegan truffles will keep at room temperature for 2-3 days but will keep best when stored in an airtight container in the refrigerator (1-2 weeks!). 

Chocolate truffles can also be frozen in an airtight container or zip-top bag with the excess air removed for up to 3 months. When ready to enjoy, transfer to the fridge to soften or allow to sit at room temperature until soft. 

Recipe FAQs

Tips for Success

• Make sure your chocolate is finely chopped. This will allow it to melt quickly and evenly. 
• Thoroughly mix the coconut milk before measuring. If you are familiar with canned coconut milk, you’ll know that the fat rises to the top of the can and hardens. Thoroughly mix it until homogenous before measuring and heating. 
• Don’t bring the coconut milk to a boil. The milk should be simmering, but not so hot it reaches a rapid boiling point. If the milk temperature rises too high it can cause the milk to separate and make your ganache filling oily. 
• Use a cookie scoop! This will help you work quickly and scoop even spoonfuls of ganache filling, making your vegan truffles equal in size. 
• Keep the filling cold. If you find the filling to become difficult to roll as time goes on, it is likely the ganache filling has become too warm. Stick it back in the fridge for 30 minutes or so until firm again. 

More Chocolate Vegan Dessert Recipes You May Enjoy: 

• Healthy Mini Chocolate Cake Recipe
• 3-Ingredient Swirled Chocolate Bark
• Chocolate Soufflé Cake
• Easy Chocolate Covered Strawberries
• Easy 3-Ingredient Vegan Chocolate Mousse
• Raw Vegan Chocolate Truffles (3-Ingredients)

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