Ring in the holidays with these rich, smooth, chocolatey truffles with a twist! Move over Godiva there are vegan dark chocolate truffles in town.
Truffles. Vegan dark chocolate truffles in fact. Need I say more? Yes, I need. Because these vegan dark chocolate truffles combine the deep dark chocolate flavor with a cranberry tang and end with a crunch. It’s like a little holiday party in your mouth.
I will warn you though, if you make these, hide them. My vulture children attacked these like they hadn’t seen chocolate before. I’m talking cocoa powder flying, smears of dark on their face making them look like tribal warriors, and teeth as dark as night. It was a fierce battle. And the carnage left behind was not pretty.
It’s all about the flavor combo
The flavors I combined here really surprised me at how well they went together. A touch of cinnamon is the key. Can we talk about how great cinnamon is in chocolate? It’s one of my favorite ways to enhance chocolate flavor. And with vegan dark chocolate, you may as well make sure you’re sitting down…
The uniqueness in these truffles is the crunch I put in. I used cacao nibs to give that real crunchy finish. I love when food has different textures, and these are no exception. Smoothness from the vegan dark chocolate, yet crunchy from the nibs. Absolute perfection!
The inside counts, but so does the outside
I coated each little ball in a variety of ways. Cocoa powder for that extra cocoa flavor, cinnamon and coconut sugar for that deep taste, cacao nibs for more crunch and chopped pecans because, well, pecans are amazing.
Not only are these so delicious, but they are SO easy to make. I’m not joking when I say I made a batch with one child hanging on each of my legs and one in my arms. It was messy, and not the best way to go about it, but it kept them quiet and that’s all I needed at the time. Mom life, where you do things you never thought you’d do.
So I know that you want to run to your kitchen, whip out your food processor and be one step closer to chocolatey heaven. Once you arrive, send me a note and tell me what you think. Something like “mmmhmnnmm” works if you can’t stop shoving these in your mouth. I read piggy, so I’ll get it. And keep reading for a little last gift I am leaving you with…
Extra Tips For Making These Vegan Dark Chocolate Truffles
- It’s critical to have all your ingredients at room temperature or the chocolate will harden, ruining the texture of the truffles.
- You can add less or more cranberries or cacao nibs if you prefer.
- You can also add one more tablespoon of coconut milk if you want these on the softer side. They will be less dense, a bit more like fudge.
- 1 1/2 cups dark chocolate chips ,melts into about 1 1/4 cups
- 1/4 cup light coconut milk ,room temperature (see note_
- 1 tablespoon maple syrup ,room temperature
- 1/2 teaspoon vanilla extract
- 1/2 teaspoon cinnamon
- 1/4 teaspoon sea salt
- 1/3 cup dried cranberries ,chopped
- 1/4 cup cacao nibs
- cocoa powder
- chopped pecans
- cacao nibs
- coconut sugar and cinnamon mix ,I mixed 1:1
- Melt dark chocolate chips in microwave or over stove top until just melted and super smooth, being careful not to burn. It took me about 1 minute and 45 seconds in my microwave, I did it in 15 second increments stirring in between.
- Place melted chocolate with all other ingredients except cranberries and cacao nibs into a food processor. Blend until smooth.
Once smooth, put in dried cranberries and cacao nibs and pulse until thoroughly mixed and slightly chopped.
Place in refrigerator for 2-3 hours until firm but still pliable. If you keep it longer or overnight and it’s too hard in the morning, then leave out for a few hours for it to get soft. You could also very slowly try and warm it in the microwave but do it on a defrost setting so that you don’t get it too soft on the edges but hard in the middle.
Once hardened a bit, scoop out a spoonful and using hands, roll into 1 inch balls.
Coat in topping of choice, using a variety is fun for the holidays.
Enjoy at room temperature, they will be firm but still smooth and easy to eat. Try and resist stuffing multiple into your mouth.
- It’s critical to have all your ingredients at room temperature or the chocolate will harden, ruining the texture of the truffles.
- You can add less or more cranberries or cacao nibs if you prefer.
- You can also add one more tablespoon of coconut milk if you want these on the softer side. They will be less dense, a bit more like fudge.
Remember the present I promised you? Well here it is…I mean, what’s better than a collection of holiday treats from a group of insanely amazing bloggers?! Nothing, that’s what. Welcome to the Vegan & Gluten Free Holiday Cookie Party! You. Are. Welcome.
1.Chocolate Candy Cane Crunch Cookies – Rebecca from Strength And Sunshine
2.Gingerbread Fig Bars – Natalie from Feasting On Fruit
3.No-Bake Marzipan Rum Balls – Bianca from Elephantastic Vegan
4.Chocolate Drizzle Ginger Pecan Cookies – Laura from Chronicles Of Passion
5.Chewy Gluten Free Chocolate Gingerbread Cookies – Jenn from Veggie Inspired Journey
6.Cranberry Chocolate Coconut Macaroons – Linda from Veganosity
7.Vegan Orange Cinnamon Christmas Cookies – Sina from Vegan Heaven
8.Cranberry White Chocolate Ginger Cookies – Leah from Love Me Feed Me
9.Chocolate Tahini Cookies – Lucie from Win-Win Food
10.Sugar Cookie (Vegan, Gluten-Free, Oil-Free) – Brandi from The Vegan 8
11.Orange Spice Cookies – Harriet from Harriet Emily
12.Vegan Cranberry Crunch Dark Chocolate Truffles – Sophia from Veggies Don’t Bite
Rebecca @ Strength and Sunshine says
Yes!! You brought in the crunch and all the chocolate!!!! The cranberry chewiness is just bonus!
I love that bite shot 😉 Swooning in chocolate dreams over here!
Thank you so much Sophie, these are wonderful!!! xoxoxo
veggiesdontbite says
Ha! Thank you Rebecca! I love the different textures in my food! And smooth chocolate with a crunch is no exception. Thank you SO much for putting this together!
Linda @ Veganosity says
Sophia, these look amazeballs! I made a version of these for a holiday cookie exchange years ago and I remember my kids looking like your kids must have looked. Black teeth and chocolate fingers touching everything! I can’t wait to make your version, they look incredible.
veggiesdontbite says
Thank you Linda!! I love a kid covered in chocolate. For some reason, I think it’s hilarious! But they were banned from my formal room with my white couch!
Jenn says
Pretty sure I would NOT share these with anyone. Ok, maybe, but I would make a batch JUST for me! My goodness these look and sound amazing! LOVE the added cinnamon and cocoa nibs are so fun! Can’t wait to try!
veggiesdontbite says
Thanks Jenn! The cinnamon and nibs were my favorite part! Cinnamon is SO good with chocolate! I definitely think you should keep them to yourself 😉
Laura says
Oh my golly. The texture on these looks absolutely perfectly. And so fun to coat them in different things. Thanks for sharing!
veggiesdontbite says
Thanks Laura! I made them both ways, with the different amounts of milk I stated, but I like mine on the firmer side. Smooth yet firm. Dense and yummy! The coating was the most fun!
Leah M @ love me, feed me says
These look so decadent and delicious. Love the festive photos too! These are definitely being added to my holiday sweet treat list, only issue is that I’m not sure they’d last long enough for me to gift…
veggiesdontbite says
Ha Leah!! Totally understand. I’d have a hard time keeping them alive over here too. Thanks for your sweet comment!
Bianca @ ElephantasticVegan says
Mhhh.. these look totally amazing, Sophia! I think I’d go with the ones rolled in cocoa because there is never enough chocolate 😀 No wonder your kids were crazy about these! I love that they are so easy to make, they are the perfect addition to every christmas cookie platter 🙂
veggiesdontbite says
Thank you Bianca! I thought the cocoa would be my favorite too but I actually ended up loving the cinnamon sugar ones! Go figure. The fact that they are so easy is a huge bonus!
Natalie | Feasting on Fruit says
These look unbelievably rich Sophia, my goodness! Chocolate with crunchiness and cinnamon, I think you covered just about all the yummy things here 🙂 Your photo was one of my favorite of the whole bunch, I love the festive styling. Thank you so very much for joining the party!
veggiesdontbite says
Awe, thank you Natalie! You are too sweet. Thank you guys so much for including me and putting it together! It turned out amazing!!
Lucie says
Gosh, cranberries in vegan chocolate truffles? I’m pretty sure I’m going to freak out of excitement just by imagining what these taste like.
*freaking out*
Alright, I can form coherent sentences now 😀 I just ADORE the chocolate-cranberry combination <3 Can't wait to make these!
veggiesdontbite says
Ha! Thank you Lucie! I love the tang the cranberries give. Especially with the slight bitter of the dark chocolate! I wish I could send you a batch!
The Vegan 8 says
I love that you called your kids vultures, LOL!!! But that is how I would be too, around these! These look like total chocolate truffle perfection! I love how creamy they look and I totally agree that the more rolled in toppings make these even more amazing. I love rolling mine in coconut sugar and cocoa powder the best and although I love a lot of the toppings, good ole cocoa powder is always my favorite because of the intense dark chocolate flavor. OMG. I now want truffles!! Great job girlfriend, they are beautiful! I love how festive you made them too, so adorable!
veggiesdontbite says
Awe, thank you Brandi! Such sweet comments. I love the variety of toppings. So yummy to switch it up. I love the cocoa too. But I also really loved the cinnamon and coconut sugar!!
Becky Striepe says
These look amazing!
veggiesdontbite says
Thank you Becky!
Trinity Bourne says
OMG!!! They are amazing! And your photos are incredible. Big thumbs up!
veggiesdontbite says
Thank you so much Trinity! Your comment totally made my day! It’s funny because I didn’t think the photos would turn out too well, but I’m pretty happy with them in the end. Funny what our thoughts are as we photograph!
Tracy says
These were by far my favourites from the hop! Can’t wait to recreate these this weekend.
veggiesdontbite says
Hey thanks Tracy!!! You are too kind! Let me know what you think if you try them!
Dianne says
These look amazing!
veggiesdontbite says
Thanks Dianne!
Sarah says
These look absolutely delicious! I can’t wait to find a spare minute – or 5 – and make some! And then eat some!
veggiesdontbite says
Thanks Sarah!! I’d account about 2 minutes to eat, doesn’t take long 😉
Sara- The Organic Dietitian says
These look so perfect for the holidays. I love to include some homemade gifts like with my store bought presents.
veggiesdontbite says
Yes! I agree. Homemade chocolate is the best. Now I wonder what my kids teachers would think if there were little bites out of each one…
Maureen says
So this recipe serves 1, right?? Because I really don’t want to share with anyone else! 🙂
veggiesdontbite says
Yup. Exactly. See you and I would be friends. But not the kind that share chocolate…
The Food Hunter says
I couldn’t be trusted in a room with these.
veggiesdontbite says
I agree. You shouldn’t be trusted. Nothing comes good with trusting someone NOT to eat chocolate 😉
Kelly @ TastingPage says
Sooooo many great options here. Is it wrong to want them all?!
veggiesdontbite says
If it’s wrong then I want to be very wrong ?
Ceara @ Ceara's Kitchen says
I want to stuff five in my mouth of these babies! How adorable for the holiday season!!!
veggiesdontbite says
Thanks so much friend!! I did. lol.
Mandy says
Hubby was sitting next to me while I was reading this blog post and said, “What are those?! We need to make them!” Oh, man, Sophia!! These look insanely dangerous. You know my love (ahem, addiction) for chocolate and these look like a dream. I have to laugh because I can totally picture you making these one-handed! And you can read piggy…I almost died! I’ve got this recipe pinned and plan to make these asap!
veggiesdontbite says
Haha Mandy!! Well being a mama I know you’ve been there! Although I highly recommend two hands. Much less messy. Let me know if you give these a try! I’m totally making them again next week as teacher gifts!
Mel @ avirtualvegan.com says
Here is another vulture hovering and ready to swoop!
A perfect combination of amazing flavours and textures. They look so good!
veggiesdontbite says
Ha! Thanks Melanie! Swoop away!
Abigail Raines says
You had me at dark chocolate! These truffles look absolutely delicious and a must-try for me. Pinning to try later!
veggiesdontbite says
Thank you so much Abigail! Let me know if you try them!
Nissrine @ Harmony a la Carte says
These look and sound incredible Sophia. I love all the ingredients you used and love the heart warming story of two kids hanging off your legs and one in your arms. Supermama!!
veggiesdontbite says
Thank you so much Nissrine! Yes, they were quite a hit with the kids. LOL They keep asking when I will make them again!
Patricia @ Grab a Plate says
Yeah, I’d say chocolaty heaven for certain! These are so perfect for this time of year (or any time, really)! And quick to come together, too! Ding, ding, ding! Last-minute gift idea! Love these!
veggiesdontbite says
Thanks so much Patricia! I agree, any time of year!!
Donna says
Oh my goodness, your description of your children made me laugh so much – sounds just like my littles when there is chocolate around! I am going to make these with the kids this afternoon, they sound great 🙂
veggiesdontbite says
Ha Donna! There’s something about chocolate right?! I mean, I get pretty excited myself. LOL Hope they turned out great!
Sina @ Vegan Heaven says
These look like such a great treat, Sophia! 🙂 Haha! You did a great job making these while your kids were hanging on each of your legs. 😉 This really made me laugh when I read it.
veggiesdontbite says
Awe, thanks so much Sina! My kids definitely make life fun 🙂
Howie Fox says
Wow, what a well crafted post! love the shot with the jars and ingredients! Will have to give these a try at home for Christmas!! :-))
veggiesdontbite says
Thanks Howie! So kind of you to say. They are really quick and easy so a great holiday treat!