Peppermint Truffles

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Peppermint truffles are rich, creamy, and melt in your mouth with every bite. Sounds like a chocolate lover’s dream right? Not only are these truffles made with just 4 ingredients, but they’re also dairy-free, gluten-free and vegan.

Peppermint truffles stacked on a plate.

I’ve been in a bit of chocolate frenzy, which started with my paleo chocolate zucchini bread. But, I’m concluding this month with a special chocolate delicacy just in time for my birthday weekend!

If you’ve been following me for some time now, you know that a mint chocolate cake has been a birthday tradition since I was 6 years old. But, since I was diagnosed with celiac several years ago, I’ve challenged myself to create new variations of gluten-free mint chocolate recipes (you can see them all listed below).

So for this year’s birthday, I’ve decided to make something I’ve never done before: peppermint truffles. These bite sized treats are filled with a velvety ganache and have a refreshing peppermint undertone. They’re easy, decadent and delicious.

Which Peppermint Extract To Use

One thing to note is that you want to use peppermint extract, and not mint extract. The bottles may look the same, but there is a difference in flavors. Peppermint extract is derived from pure peppermint oil, where as mint comes from a combination of mint plants.

While there are tons of peppermint extracts to choose from, I personally prefer Neilsen-Massey Peppermint Extract. I use this extract for almost all my chocolate recipes, because it reminds of a refreshing peppermint patty.

How to Make Peppermint Truffles

Making this peppermint truffle recipe couldn’t be easier. Watch the video below for quick step-by-step instructions and tips:

  1. Create a double boiler. Then reduce the heat into a simmer and place a glass bowl on top of the pot.
  2. Heat the coconut milk by adding it into the bowl for 2-3 minutes until it’s warm.
  3. Add the chocolate chips into the bowl and slowly stir until the mixture becomes silky smooth.
  4. Remove the bowl from the double boiler and stir in the peppermint extract.
  5. Let the ganache cool for about 2 hours in the fridge.
  6. Scoop out the ganache from the bowl using a small cookie scooper, then use your hands to gently roll them into a ball. Note that this can be a messy process! Be quick to roll them because the mixture will melt from the heat of your hands.
  7. Roll the balls in cacao powder, or any coating of your choice, and set them on a serving dish.
  8. Place in the fridge to let it firm for about 15 minutes. Then enjoy!

Making peppermint truffles and rolling in cacao powder.

Serving and Storing Chocolate Truffles

While chocolate truffles taste extremely delicious unadorned, rolling them in nuts, powdered sugar, sprinkles, or cacao powder takes them to the next level. You can even dip them in tempered chocolate for a hard outside and soft inside. But for my peppermint truffles, I chose to coat them in cacao powder.

The truffles are best kept in the fridge and served cold (in my opinion), as they’re a bit firmer and hold their shape better. But they will hold up at room temperature. They’ll just be a bit softer.

You can also make the truffles ahead of time for a party, holiday or function. Store them in the fridge for up to 2 weeks in a storage container.

PRO TIP: You can remove any excess cacao powder by rolling them between your hands again after they’ve chilled. This will remove any excess powder that might otherwise fall off when bitten into (as I’ve done in the photos).

Stack of peppermint chocolate truffles.

Plate of peppermint truffles.

Peppermint truffle that's bitten in half.

More Chocolate Peppermint Recipes

If you love the chocolate peppermint combo like I do, here are my past birthday recipes to enjoy:

And if you just want straight up chocolate, indulge in my Paleo Chocolate Cake, Chocolate Chia Pudding or Chocolate Mug Cake. All three are reader favorites!

Peppermint truffles on a plate.

Peppermint Truffles

4.94 from 16 votes
Prep: 15 minutes
Cook: 5 minutes
Chilling Time: 2 hours
Total: 2 hours 20 minutes
Servings: 16 servings
Author: Lisa Bryan

Description

Made with just 4 ingredients, these peppermint truffles are rich in chocolate flavor and have a smooth ganache texture. Watch the video above to see how quickly they come together!

Video

Ingredients 
 

Instructions 

  • Create a double boiler. Fill a small sized pot 1/4 full with water and bring it to a boil. Then reduce the heat to a simmer and place a glass bowl on top of the pot.
  • Heat the coconut milk by adding it into the bowl for 2-3 minutes until it becomes warm.
  • Add the chocolate chips to the same bowl and slowly stir until the mixture has a silky smooth texture.
  • Remove the bowl from the double boiler and stir in the peppermint extract.
  • Place the chocolate ganache mixture in the fridge and let it cool for about 2 hours.
  • Scoop out the chocolate ganache from the bowl using a small cookie scoop, then use your hands to gently roll it into a ball.
  • Roll the balls immediately in cacao powder and set them on a plate.
  • Place the plate in the fridge for about 15 minutes to firm up. Then serve and enjoy!

Lisa's Tips

  • You want to use the coconut milk that is full fat from the can, not the coconut milk in the carton from the refrigerated section at the market. 
  • To make these paleo, use either Hu Kitchen Gems or Eating Evolved Chocolate Chips. Both are chocolate sweetened with coconut sugar. 
  • Truffles are best kept in the fridge and can be stored for up to 2 weeks.

Nutrition

Calories: 92kcal | Carbohydrates: 12g | Protein: 1g | Fat: 5g | Saturated Fat: 3g | Cholesterol: 3mg | Sodium: 12mg | Potassium: 25mg | Fiber: 1g | Sugar: 11g | Vitamin A: 38IU | Vitamin C: 1mg | Calcium: 21mg | Iron: 1mg
Course: Dessert
Cuisine: American
Keyword: Chocolate Truffles, Peppermint Truffle Recipe, Peppermint Truffles, Vegan truffles
Did you make this recipe?Mention @downshiftology or tag #downshiftology!

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About the author

Lisa Bryan

Lisa is a bestselling cookbook author, recipe developer, and YouTuber (with over 2.5 million subscribers) living in sunny Southern California. She started Downshiftology in 2014, and is passionate about making healthy food with fresh, simple and seasonal ingredients.

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Recipe Rating




55 Comments

  1. heyyy, please I need your help.. I made the chocolate truffles but after 5 hours at the fridge they remains like a cream, I don’t know what to do because I followed the recipe correctly… how can I turn them soft????

    1. Hi Sophie – did you use full-fat coconut milk from a can? If you used coconut milk in the carton (like from the refrigerated section of the market), they won’t firm up?

  2. I made these and gave them away as little gifts at Christmas time. Considering doing it again for Valentines! They are so incredible! She mentions that she uses a little more peppermint because she likes a more peppermint flavor. I loved it as is and some made the comment the peppermint was strong but still seemed to absolutely love it! So you could always add a little less. Everyone, even picky eaters really enjoyed it. 5 stars

    1. Hi Danielle – So glad you loved these bite sized treats! These would be a great idea for Valentine’s :)

  3. Made the truffels without peppermint and they are amazing! They are so creamy and nice for a little snack. Also very easy to prepare! Thank you Lisa.5 stars

    1. Hi Laura – So glad you loved these truffles! They’re much easier to make than a lot of people think :)

  4. These truffles were fantastic! Recipe was very easy to follow, we made two versions with vegan dark chocolate and hersheys semi-sweet chips. Topped with cocoa powder and some with coconut, came out great! Perfect dish to have in your dessert arsenal5 stars

  5. Hi! I would love to make this recipe for Christmas, but I’m allergic to coconut. Do you have any other substitution ideas? Thanks!

    1. Unfortunately, I haven’t tried this recipe with any other substitutions so I’m not sure what else might work. Sorry!

  6. So easy and absolutely delicious. This was my first time making truffles and I will definitely be doing this again. Thank you!5 stars

    1. Hi Liz – I’m glad you loved these truffles! You’ll definitely have to whip up a batch for the holidays :)

  7. These are really good and addictive. They are easy to make and I really like the peppermint with the choc. Great combination. Thank you!5 stars

    1. Hi Christine – Glad you enjoyed these truffles! They’re so much easier to make than everyone thinks :)

  8. This recipe looks amazing but I am not a fan of peppermint and chocolate together. Can I substitute the peppermint extract with almond extract?

    1. Hi Sara – I have not tried it with almond extract, but you can definitely try! Do let me know how it turns out :)

  9. After my extract order arrived, I made this super easy recipe coating half with matcha powder and half with cacao.  I like them cold too.  Soft and chewy.4 stars

    1. Hi Hillary – Amazing! Glad you loved these truffles. I love how you mixed in a little matcha powder in there too :)

  10. Wow! These are so delicious and easy to make. YUM! I had a hard time getting the truffles to look uniform like yours, but my family ate them so fast it didn’t really matter. Thank you!5 stars

    1. Hi Malia – Aren’t they so simple to make! And don’t worry, the first time I made these, my balls were not perfect by no means. The rolling process can get messy. But, I’m glad you and your family loved these truffles!

  11. Another recipe rated 5 stars! Seriously exceptional. 
    I just made these & they are so yummy. I made half the mixture with mint and the other half, I added a tiny bit of almond extract and chopped nuts which was also super delicious. 5 stars

    1. Hi Alla – I’m so glad to hear you made them already! I love how truffles can be so versatile depending on what topping you roll them in, and I love how you added the almond and chopped nuts. Sounds delish :)

  12. Happy birthday Lisa! :-)

    My birthday is this Saturday, and as a boy my mother always used to give me chocolate cake with peppermint icing (green in colour) for my birthday cake. I’ll have to try these truffles for Saturday – assuming there’s an equivalent chocolate chip option in the UK (I’m sure there will be). Thanks.

  13. Hi Lisa! Happy birthday! I would like to use peppermint oil not extract because in my country we don’t have that. Is it okay too?

    1. Hi Burcu – If you only have peppermint oil, I would suggest to use about 1/4 teaspoon. The oil is much more concentrated than the extract and doesn’t evaporate as well, so you’ll want to use a lot less that stated in the recipe!

  14. These would also be yummy if you rolled them in shredded coconut flakes! Yum! I’m going to have to make this! Thanks for sharing!

  15. This sounded so yummy that I immediately ordered some of your recommended chocolate chips to make some. However, there is an inconsistency – in the recipe it states 6 teaspoons of coconut milk while the video has 6 tablespoons. I assume the video is the correct amount but thought you’d like to know.

  16. This is perfect because it’s also MY birthday weekend! I haven’t made truffles like these since I was living a raw lifestyle. Excited to make these today!5 stars

  17. Happy Birthday! 
    There is a minor mistake in the truffle recipe above.  It should be 6 tablespoons of coconut milk, (according to your video), not teaspoons. 
    Best wishes!

  18. SO happy to have found this recipe. I’m recently dairy free and I miss all the things I used to make with heavy cream, but coconut milk is genius and delicious! Thank you!5 stars

    1. Hi Mikayla – I’m glad you found this recipe! Being dairy free is hard at first, but coconut milk is the perfect alternative and you won’t even notice a difference.

  19. These truffles are just what I need for my Chocolate fix. Love it that they are vegan. Saving it for later.5 stars

    1. Hi Deepika – I’m glad you found your vegan chocolate fix! These are great to snack on since they are bite size too :)

  20. Peppermint season is almost here! From one chocolate lover to another, I really think that truffles are the best vehicle to get chocolate in my mouth. So creamy and melt-in-the-mouth delicious!5 stars

  21. Oh yes these are a chocolate lovers dream and the peppermint is sooo yummy. Thanks for the tip to roll them in your hands a second time. I’m notorious for making a powderpuff mess when I eat them 5 stars

  22. Oh yum!!! What a delicious treat! I love that these truffles are rich, and you only need a bite here and there. Thanks for sharing this recipe!5 stars

    1. Hi Ashley – If you’re a chocolate lover, you will definitely love this recipe! Not to mention how easy it is to make :)