Made With Love.
Valentine's Day means either nothing or everything to an individual person. You're either a skeptic or a romantic. More and more the world is being peopled by skeptics. People who don't believe in anything they can't see or touch and make fun of those who dare to.
I was once one of them before I met Lee. I'm not going to tell you that rainbows and butterflies follow us, but we are ridiculously happy. The kind of happy that gives you cavities and your face hurts from smiling too much. He's my match, my better half, my sweetheart.
A note in a lunch bag. A heart shaped box of chocolates. A bouquet of roses. A romantic dinner on a rooftop. A picnic in the sun. A long distance phone call. A marriage in secret. A well composed email. Whatever love means to you it deserves celebration.
I thought I'd give you all a simple yet sweet recipe for your own sweetheart. Just ganache, raspberries and hazelnuts. These Chocolate Razelnut Truffles are decadent, rich and best enjoyed when made with love.
Chocolate Razelnut Truffles
Makes about 12 truffles
Source: My imagination
8 ounces semisweet chocolate, chopped
3/4 cup whipping cream
2 tbsp unsalted butter
12 raspberries
1 cup hazelnuts, blanched, toasted and chopped
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Put the chopped chocolate in a medium heatproof bowl. In a small sauce pan bring the whipping cream and butter up to a boil on medium heat. Once it's just started boiling pour it over the chocolate and cover it for 5 minutes. Uncover it and whisk it until it's smooth. Refrigerate the ganache for about 1 or 2 hours to harden it enough to keep it's shape.
Scoop about a tbsp of semi-hardened ganache and form it around a raspberry for each truffle. Refrigerate the newly formed truffles for another 10 – 20 minutes to make it sturdy enough to roll again.
Spread out the chopped hazelnuts in a shallow dish and roll the truffles in it to coat them. Gently pat the nuts into the chocolate. Enjoy!
January 24th, 2011 - 17:52
These look amazing! I am going to try them for my Valentine’s Dinner. Married 16+ years and we are in the camp of the romantics!
January 24th, 2011 - 17:57
That’s amazing Allyson! I hope you both enjoy them!
January 24th, 2011 - 18:08
Great recipe! Who wouldn’t love to bite into this for Valentine’s day?
January 24th, 2011 - 18:24
My, oh my, these stopped me in my web-surfing tracks! My hubby, of 24 years, isn’t as much of a chocoholic as I am but I bet he will eat his share when I make these. I know my daughter will love ‘em.
January 24th, 2011 - 19:07
So glad you stopped by, Angela!
January 24th, 2011 - 19:10
looks beautiful and delicious
January 24th, 2011 - 19:22
I love that your imagination came up with these – you have a great imagination! I have been married almost 22 years and we have learned that it is best to celebrate Valentine’s Day at home with a great meal, especially is there are Chocolate Razelnut Truffles. Going out usually means a set menu of foods you don’t want to eat, served by people who would rather be at home with their sweethearts, that is just plain expensive. We go out the weekend after Valentine’s Day and it is still just as romantic.
January 24th, 2011 - 19:23
I completely agree Felice! I think it’s way more special to celebrate Valentine’s Day at home.
January 24th, 2011 - 20:00
hi Lindsey
It’s so nice to hear how happy you two are! I hope you have many many more wonderful valentines days, your truffles would make any day a special occasion! But who doesn’t love chocolate!
Dennis
January 24th, 2011 - 20:27
Thank you so much Dennis!
January 24th, 2011 - 20:11
Oh my. OH. MY. Totally and sinfully decadent. Must have. Must.
January 24th, 2011 - 20:28
Your imagination is wonderful. Just absolutely delicious and sweet and makes even the biggest skeptic weep!
January 24th, 2011 - 20:40
Thank you Belinda!
January 24th, 2011 - 20:36
Love love love these pictures!
January 24th, 2011 - 20:40
Thanks Kita! I’m really proud of them.
January 24th, 2011 - 21:25
These truffles look sooo decadent! Beautiful, I could totally imagine them in a window of a NY store!
January 24th, 2011 - 21:28
Wow, thank you Sara! Don’t tell the folks in NY that they’re so easy to make.
January 24th, 2011 - 21:34
Wow! These truffles have definitely caught my attention. Plus, what a sweet post about your sweetheart.
January 24th, 2011 - 22:04
mmm, the simplest of things is the best. these look delicious and i can feel the love!
January 24th, 2011 - 23:46
How lovely looks that raspberry in the middle.. they are really made with love
and look like .. love 
January 25th, 2011 - 05:22
I don’t think I’ve ever seen more beautiful truffles! Perfection!!!!
January 25th, 2011 - 05:49
Lyndsey,
Gosh, these are absolutely gorgeous photos and they look incredible. Oh, here’s to romance and your truffles!
January 25th, 2011 - 07:22
THANK YOU THANK YOU THANK YOU!! I’ve been trying to figure out how to make some raspberry truffles but every attempt I’ve made is a FAIL. These look so awesome!
January 25th, 2011 - 11:00
You’re very welcome Jen! I hope you love them as much as we do.
January 25th, 2011 - 09:19
Mmmmmmm…. I wants one.
January 25th, 2011 - 11:16
not a valentine’s day person but after reading this post things might change and who doesn’t want an excuse to make such things?! Gorgeous!
January 25th, 2011 - 12:07
These sound so delicious! Actually, my first thought was I really just wanted to eat all those delicious looking raspberries in the bowl! Lovin’ the pics!
January 25th, 2011 - 12:31
Oh my goodness!!!! These look so amazing! I will have to try to make these for my Husband, as he loves anything chocolate and raspberry! These may grace the table of his birthday dinner this year! Thanks!
January 25th, 2011 - 13:53
These look amazing! I will have to try this recipe!
January 25th, 2011 - 15:32
Dang girl, this is my first time here and I can’t stop checking out all your gorgeous photos. You sure do have skills!!!!
The fresh rasberry inside this truffle is a genious idea, I mean REALLY!
They look so pretty and delicious!
January 25th, 2011 - 15:50
Thanks so much Amy! I hope you stick around some more.
January 25th, 2011 - 16:59
Just lovely! Thanks for sharing…
January 25th, 2011 - 18:54
These look awesome! Such a decadent treat for that special someone. And your photos are exceptional, very nicely done!
January 25th, 2011 - 18:56
So romantic and beautiful truffles! So easy to make. Thanks for sharing, my beloved will love it he is choc lover! Lovely photographs.
January 25th, 2011 - 20:40
WOW!! Those look amazing!!
January 26th, 2011 - 00:15
Wow Lindsey your photos are really really amazing in this post, just STUNNING! I esp love the close up of the raspberries at the top, but of course the chocolate is the part that has me drooling. Yes, I want.
January 26th, 2011 - 01:39
Thanks so much Amanda!
January 26th, 2011 - 07:30
These look amazing and delicous! I love your photos- so crisp and vibrant!
January 26th, 2011 - 11:59
These look so devilicious!!! I’ll share this with my bf… Thanks for your imagination! =)
January 26th, 2011 - 14:35
These are adorable. My husband would eat all of them in a sec.
January 26th, 2011 - 22:44
simply awesome! the combination of tastes is great – I adore chocolate with forest fruits!
January 27th, 2011 - 09:09
Can you make these ahead of the time and leave them in the fridge? Or they can be store in a cookie jar?
January 27th, 2011 - 13:28
Yes definitely! They should be stored in the fridge and can probably be kept there for 3 – 4 days.
January 27th, 2011 - 11:26
Oh my, these are beautiful! And your photos are ammmmazing!
January 29th, 2011 - 11:06
I love the raspberries in the center – these look delightful!
January 30th, 2011 - 23:39
Oh wow..stunning photos, and I love those truffles look so tempting! Perfection!!!
February 2nd, 2011 - 01:15
Lovely picture and nice blog.
Congratulation:)
Keep it up…..
February 3rd, 2011 - 19:33
those look absolutely wonderful! I think I will make them for this wonderful Valentine’s season
Thank you for the amazing ideas!
And I hope you have an amazing day with your “+1″
February 3rd, 2011 - 23:10
Thanks Hailey!
February 9th, 2011 - 12:00
what is whipping cream? Is it heavy cream?
February 9th, 2011 - 18:03
Yes, it’s the same thing.