Easy Homemade Red Velvet Truffles: Perfect Bite-Sized Holiday Treats
Imagine the rich, cocoa-infused taste and vibrant red hue of your favorite red velvet cake, but in a delightful, bite-sized confection. These Red Velvet Truffles are not just a dessert; they are miniature spheres of pure joy, perfect for any occasion, especially during the festive holiday season. Forget messy slices of cake; these truffles are elegant, easy to eat, and incredibly satisfying. Picture them gracing your holiday platters, adding a pop of festive color and an undeniable gourmet touch. They also make an absolutely fantastic and much-appreciated contribution to any cookie exchange, guaranteed to be a crowd-pleaser and a conversation starter.
Today, we have an exceptionally special treat for you! Our blog is graced by a guest post from a very talented young baker – my youngest daughter, Josie! She’s stepping into the spotlight to share her culinary adventures and a recipe that she’s incredibly passionate about. It’s always a pleasure to see the next generation embracing the joy of cooking and baking, and Josie’s enthusiasm is truly contagious.
Meet Our Special Guest: Josie’s Culinary Debut
Hi everyone! My name is Josie, and this wonderful blog, An Affair from the Heart, is my mom’s creative space, and this week, I’m absolutely thrilled to be guest posting! When I first saw my mom talking about my guest post on her Instagram account, I was beyond excited. Many of you might not know this, but I share my mom’s deep love for cooking and everything involving food. From experimenting with flavors to creating delicious treats, I find so much joy in the kitchen.
When I asked my mom what it would take for me to become a guest blogger, she laid out the whole process: I would need to choose a recipe, make it, take beautiful pictures, edit those pictures, and then finally, write up the entire blog post. I’ve watched my mom do all of these steps countless times, and I’ve even had the chance to help her with bits and pieces along the way. But the thought of doing it all by myself, from start to finish, was both incredibly exciting and a little bit nerve-wracking. However, here I am, doing it, right? It’s an amazing feeling to accomplish something new and challenging!
Discovering the Perfect Recipe: Red Velvet Truffles
So, with my new assignment, I dove into Pinterest, searching for the perfect recipe. There are so many amazing ideas out there, but as soon as I stumbled upon a recipe for Red Velvet Truffles, I knew instantly that I absolutely HAD to make them! My decision wasn’t just because they looked incredibly delicious and utterly irresistible, though that was certainly a huge factor. More importantly, I envisioned these truffles as a wonderful, fun project that families could enjoy making together, especially during the Christmas season. Imagine the laughter and bonding over creating these festive treats!
This particular recipe truly proved to be both enjoyable and surprisingly easy to execute. I think that’s one of the best qualities a recipe can have – delightful results without overly complicated steps. And here’s a little secret, one of the main reasons I chose this recipe was because it gave me the perfect excuse to use the sifter! Seriously, I absolutely LOVE that kitchen gadget. There’s something so satisfying about using it. I’ve made cake pops before, and while they were tasty, they often turned out incredibly messy to handle. These truffles, however, are similar in concept but without the sticks, making them much neater and easier to enjoy, which is a huge bonus in my book!
The Irresistible Allure of Red Velvet Truffles
What makes Red Velvet Truffles so incredibly appealing? It’s a combination of their iconic flavor profile and their convenient, elegant form. The classic red velvet taste – a delicate balance of vanilla, cocoa, and a hint of tang from buttermilk, all amplified by that striking red color – is already a beloved indulgence. Transforming this into a truffle means you get all that rich, moist goodness in a perfectly portioned, pop-in-your-mouth size. They offer the ideal level of sweetness and decadence without being overwhelmingly heavy, making them perfect for ending a meal or as a delightful snack.
These truffles are exceptionally versatile. They can be dressed up with various toppings like sprinkles, white chocolate drizzles, or even a dusting of cocoa powder, allowing you to customize them for any event. Their vibrant appearance makes them a natural showstopper on any dessert table, and their easy-to-handle nature ensures guests can enjoy them without fuss. Whether you’re planning a sophisticated dinner party, a casual family gathering, or simply want to treat yourself to something special, Red Velvet Truffles are a surefire hit.
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Print Recipe
Red Velvet Truffles
Ingredients
- For the Truffle:
- 1/3 + 1 T flour
- 2 t. unsweetened cocoa
- 1/8 t. baking soda
- 1/8 t salt
- 1/4 cup vegetable oil
- 1/4 cup sugar
- 2 T buttermilk
- 1 egg white
- 1 t red food coloring
- 1/4 t vanilla
- 1/8 t white vinegar
- 3 ounces cream cheese
- 1/2 cup powdered sugar
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- For the Coating:
- 12 ounces almond bark
Instructions
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Preheat oven to 350 degrees F (175 C).
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Place 4 cupcake liners on the outside edge of a standard cupcake tin. This will be used to bake a small portion of cake for the truffles.
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Sift together the flour, baking soda, salt, and cocoa powder into a medium bowl. Sifting ensures there are no lumps and helps aerate the dry ingredients. Set this aside.
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In a separate mixer bowl, combine and beat together the vegetable oil, granulated sugar, buttermilk, egg white, red food coloring, white vinegar, and vanilla extract until well combined and smooth.
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Gradually add the sifted dry ingredients into the wet ingredients mixture, mixing on low speed until just combined. Be careful not to overmix. Divide the vibrant red batter evenly among the four prepared cupcake liners and bake in the preheated oven for 20-22 minutes, or until a cake tester or toothpick inserted into the center comes out clean. Once baked, remove the cupcakes from the oven and let them cool completely on a wire rack. Cooling is crucial before proceeding.
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After the cake has cooled completely, gently crumble the cupcakes into a large mixing bowl. In a separate bowl, beat together the softened cream cheese and powdered sugar until smooth and creamy, forming a rich cream cheese frosting mixture. Add the crumbled cake to the cream cheese mixture and combine thoroughly, mixing until a moist, workable dough forms. Scoop a heaping tablespoon of this mixture into your hands, then roll it into smooth, uniform balls. Place these beautiful red velvet balls onto a plate or baking sheet lined with parchment paper and refrigerate for at least four hours, or ideally overnight, to allow them to firm up completely.
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To prepare the coating, chop the almond bark into approximately 1-inch chunks and place them in a microwave-safe bowl. Heat the almond bark on medium power in 30-second intervals, stirring well after each interval, until it is completely melted and smooth. Remove the chilled truffle balls from the refrigerator. Dip each firm truffle ball into the melted almond bark quickly, using a fork to turn and ensure an even coating. Lift the truffle out, allowing any excess coating to drip off, then place it on a piece of wax paper or parchment paper to dry and set. Once set, these delightful truffles are ready to be enjoyed! They can be prepared up to 3 days in advance and stored wonderfully in the refrigerator in an airtight container.
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***This recipe is easily doubled if you need more truffles for a larger gathering. If doubling, you can bake the cake portion in a 6-inch round cake pan for convenience. ***
Nutrition
Tips for Perfect Red Velvet Truffles Every Time
To ensure your Red Velvet Truffles turn out perfectly, here are a few extra tips from our kitchen:
- Don’t Skip the Sifting: As Josie mentioned, sifting the dry ingredients is key. It prevents lumps and ensures your cake portion has a wonderfully smooth texture, which translates into smoother truffles.
- Cool Completely: Patience is a virtue here. Ensure your cake is absolutely cold before crumbling it. Warm cake will make the mixture too soft and difficult to roll.
- Cream Cheese at Room Temperature: For the filling, make sure your cream cheese is softened to room temperature. This allows it to blend smoothly with the powdered sugar, preventing any lumps and creating a creamy, uniform mixture.
- Chill Thoroughly: The chilling step is non-negotiable! Refrigerating the truffle balls for at least four hours (or longer) makes them firm enough to handle and prevents them from melting when dipped into the warm almond bark. Don’t rush this part.
- Working with Almond Bark: When melting the almond bark, heat it slowly and stir often to prevent scorching. If it seems too thick, you can add a tiny bit of vegetable shortening or coconut oil (1/2 to 1 teaspoon) to thin it out slightly, making it easier to dip.
- Efficient Dipping: Use a fork to dip the truffles, allowing excess coating to drip through the tines. Work quickly, as the cold truffles will cause the bark to set fast. For a pristine look, you can use a toothpick to gently guide the truffle off the fork onto the wax paper.
- Decorate! While simple and elegant on their own, these truffles are fantastic canvases for decoration. A sprinkle of red sugar, white sprinkles, a drizzle of contrasting white chocolate, or even a dusting of cocoa powder can elevate their appearance, especially for holidays.
- Storage: Store your finished truffles in an airtight container in the refrigerator. They taste even better after a day or two, allowing the flavors to fully meld, and will keep well for up to a week.
Why These Truffles are a Holiday Must-Have
Beyond their delightful taste and ease of preparation, Red Velvet Truffles hold a special place during the holidays. Their striking red color naturally complements festive decor, making them a beautiful addition to any holiday table or gift basket. They are the perfect size for party platters, allowing guests to enjoy a rich dessert without committing to a large slice of cake. Furthermore, these truffles are an excellent choice for homemade holiday gifts. Imagine presenting a small box of these exquisite, homemade treats to friends, neighbors, or teachers – a thoughtful gesture that truly shows you care. They’re also ideal for cookie exchanges, offering a unique and delicious alternative to traditional cookies.
The process of making them can become a cherished family tradition, much like it has for Josie. Gathering in the kitchen to mix, roll, and coat these vibrant red balls is a joyful activity that creates lasting memories, especially for children who love to get involved in the baking process. These Red Velvet Truffles are more than just a dessert; they are an embodiment of holiday cheer and delicious indulgence.
Josie’s Favorite Recipes from Mom’s Blog
In the spirit of sharing and culinary inspiration, I wanted to highlight a few of my absolute favorite recipes that you can find right here on my Mom’s blog. These are dishes and treats that I love to eat and sometimes help make, and I think you’ll enjoy them too!
Shrimp and Salmon with Lemon Caper Sauce: This one is a truly elegant and flavorful meal. The lemon caper sauce adds such a bright, zesty touch to the perfectly cooked salmon and shrimp. It feels like a fancy restaurant dish, but Mom makes it easy to create at home!
Porcupine Meatballs: These are a childhood classic and always bring a smile to my face. The rice cooked right into the meatballs gives them a unique texture, and the savory sauce is incredibly comforting. It’s a fantastic, hearty dinner that the whole family loves.
Bubblicious Bubblegum Cupcakes with Bubblegum ButterCream Frosting: For something truly fun and whimsical, these bubblegum cupcakes are incredible! The flavor takes you right back to childhood, and the vibrant colors make them a party favorite. They’re a joyful treat that’s impossible not to love.
Thank you so much for reading about my Red Velvet Truffles journey and for letting me share my passion for baking with all of you!
Thanks <3 Josie
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