With Valentine’s Day coming up, I’ve got chocolate on the brain.
Instead of relying on a box of store-bought confections this year, I highly recommend making these dark chocolate truffles. Calling for just a handful of ingredients, they are quick and easy to prepare, and will impress the socks off your loved ones!
While most recipes rely on heavy cream or butter, these truffles get their creaminess from a ripe avocado. If you don’t care for the flavor of avocado, don’t worry– all you’ll taste is the chocolate! Depending on your sweet tooth and dietary needs, this recipe is completely adaptable to your tastes. I used 67% dark chocolate chips, which creates a very dark, bittersweet truffle, but if you’d prefer something a little sweeter, you can always add a touch of natural sweetener, or use semi-sweet chocolate chips, instead. You can even make them sugar-free by using unsweetened baking chocolate, and adding stevia to taste.
However you make them, they’re sure to disappear as quickly as they come together!
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Dark Chocolate Avocado Truffles
makes 12
Adapted from Apple of My Eye
Ingredients:
6 oz. dark chocolate (I used 67% chocolate chips)
1/3 cup mashed avocado (about 1 small avocado)
1/2 teaspoon vanilla extract
pinch of salt
2 tablespoons cocoa powder, for rolling (optional)
Directions:
Combine the chocolate, vanilla extract and pinch of salt over a double boiler, and melt until completely smooth. (I just use an oven safe bowl over my small saucepan for this.) Mash the avocado with a fork until no lumps are visible, then stir it into the melted chocolate mixture until smooth and thickened. Place in the fridge to set for 20 minutes, or until slightly firm to the touch.
Once the mixture has been chilled and is slightly firm, use a tablespoon to scoop the chocolate into 12 balls. Place them on a pan lined with parchment paper, and roll the balls between the palms of your hand to create an smooth surface. (Be warned: this can get messy!)
Place the 2 tablespoons of cocoa powder in small bowl, and roll each truffle into the cocoa to coat.
Serve at room temperature, but store in the fridge for a lasting shelf life.
Dark Chocolate Avocado Truffles
Ingredients
- 6 oz . dark chocolate
- 1/3 cup mashed avocado (about 1 small avocado)
- 1/2 teaspoon vanilla extract
- pinch of salt
- 2 tablespoons cocoa powder , for rolling (optional)
Instructions
- Combine the chocolate, vanilla extract and pinch of salt over a double boiler, and melt until completely smooth. (I just use an oven safe bowl over my small saucepan for this.) Mash the avocado with a fork until no lumps are visible, then stir it into the melted chocolate mixture until smooth and thickened. Place in the fridge to set for 20 minutes, or until slightly firm to the touch.
- Once the mixture has been chilled and is slightly firm, use a tablespoon to scoop the chocolate into 12 balls. Place them on a pan lined with parchment paper, and roll the balls between the palms of your hand to create an smooth surface. (Be warned: this can get messy!)
- Place the 2 tablespoons of cocoa powder in small bowl, and roll each truffle into the cocoa to coat. Serve at room temperature, but store in the fridge for a lasting shelf life.
Video
Nutrition
Per Serving: Calories: 93, Fat: 6g, Carbohydrates: 7g, Fiber: 2g, Protein: 1g
Notes:
- These truffles can be dairy-free and/or sugar-free depending on the type of chocolate you buy. Be sure to read labels carefully!
- Feel free to roll these truffles in ground nuts or shredded coconut, if you prefer.
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Reader Feedback: What’s your favorite Valentine treat? I’m a big fan of anything chocolate– especially this Flourless Chocolate Cake!
This sounds delicioouuuuss.. However, I was wondering why you didn’t use the vitamix or any oder blender to make a uniform avocado and chocolate mixture . I am close to buying a blender myself, though I am still a bit hesitant because of the high costs of the vitamix. Does the small food processor you have (black & decker) also do the job for most of your recipes or does it really not blend, but just chop? (also may it be used to make nut butters, almond flour and stuff…) thank you very much for all these amazing recipes, I am following you from Switzerland 🙂
There’s just no need for a blender with this recipe. The avocado mashes so quick and easily with a fork that it would be unnecessary to have to clean the blender.
In regards to the small food processor I use, it doesn’t blend the way a larger food processor does, so you couldn’t make nut butters in it. I use it to “mix” things, like hummus or avocado pudding, but it’s not as smooth as the more powerful machines.
I have a food processor (Kitchenaid) and Vitamix. Invest in the Vitamix, it will do so many things the food processor just can’t do.
And a blendtec I can make nut butters different flowers hot soups and veggie ice cream consider that it’s a favorite of mine
looks amazing!
would it be possible to replace the chocolate with cocoa powder and coconut oil? how much?
Yes for every ounce of chocolate use 3 Tablespoons of cocoa, 3 Tablespoons of Sugar, and 1 tablespoon coconut oil.
I just happen to have all these ingredients…hmmmm…may be a sign that i need to try these!
These sound so good! You have people following you from around the world 🙂 I’m over in France!
Mademoiselle Demers? haha
How did you guess 😉
Fantastic! I can’t wait to make these :0)!
These look delicious!! I can’t wait to make them 🙂
Yum! I sometimes make an avocado mousse using similar ingredients!
These looks so decadent and rich – can’t wait to try these 🙂 Love the idea of a healthy truffle and these look so fantastic!
The difference is that cacao is healthier, cleaner and a more concentrated nutrition., a ‘superfood’. Anything you use cocoa in, you can adapt using cacao. These are the best truffles I’ve ever tasted. A friend made them adding a little almond meal for the texture to help set. SO YUM
any difference if cacao powder is used instead of cocoa? Thanks!
I was wondering the same thing!
There is no difference, they’re both the same thing (:
Megan, you are a genius! I stumbled across you site a few months ago and I am always amazed by your creativity and just how really good your recipes are. Thank you for all that you do… all while having a baby on your hip! Dying to try this one!
Megan do you have to use a food processor for the dishes you recommend? Or could I use my Vitamix for most of these recipes? I have a vitamix but not a food processor.
Thank you
I use the Vitamix much more often than a food processor. In fact, my food processor was in storage for years! So, you definitely don’t need one. I find it useful for making almond butter, pureeing soups and doing some light chopping work, but you can do that in a Vitamix, too.
YUM! This is prety much how I make my ‘icing’ for my chocolate protein bars and other snacks, except I also put in half a banana. You could try that as well if you wanted to lighten it up a bit.
Drooling…can’t wait to make these. Fantastic healthy recipe!
Question for anyone. What percentage of dark chocolate would be best to use to not have to add any sugar?
Depends on how sweet you want it. I’d say 70% would be good for many but for myself, I’d use 85% because I’m accustomed to the extra dark chocolate flavor.
I used 67% and all of my friends loved them at our Super Bowl party. If you were making them for kids, or anyone with a pickier palate, I’d use a slightly sweeter chocolate.
Thanks for answering me on the percentage of the cocoa. I cannot wait to make these. I stumbled upon your website and I am so happy I did. It is awesome!!! Thank you. 🙂
So excited to make these for my 4 year old!! Love when I get that avocado in!! YEAH!
sounds wonderful, we usually enjoy this as pudding never thought to make as truffles 😉
These look AWESOME 😀 (as always 😉
Genius! Can’t wait to try these. Good job!! 🙂
I would be so tempted to eat the mixture before turning it into truffles, haha! This looks amazing!
You continue to amaze me. Fabulous. I added some cayenne and chipotle powder for a spicy kick.
I have made these twice already! They are so good! The longer you let them sit in the fridge, the better the texture (in my opinion). I also used toasted crushed almond as the covering as I didn’t have any cocoa powder. I love your recipes! Please keep them coming!
i can’t get these to set at all – its very wet – idk if i should add more cocoa powder to dry it or what..
i even had them in the freezer for an hour and still they were a pudding consistency. what did i do wrong? how can i fix this?
Did you use chocolate chips or a chocolate bar, and how did you melt it? I’m not sure why it wouldn’t set! You could try adding coconut oil to the mixture, which would help it harden.
i used chocolate chips but i stirred it with the same fork i used to mash the avocados and i think it made a difference in how it melted
Tried them. Love them. Making them again!!!!
I just made these and they are great. I did make a little adjustment to them though. 🙂 I put coconut oil in with the chocolate, salt & vanilla mixture. They taste really good!
How much coconut oil did you use?
Megan do you know how many calories for one truffle?
Holy cow you have made my Valentine’s!!!
I have made this several times over the years and it is wonderful
Hi from Israel!
I am new to your website, and I am in love! Your recipes are fantastic. Can’t wait to to the chocolate truffles!!!
What a great idea. I love raw chocolate avocado pudding so I’m sure I would love these too. Avocados and chocolate are made for each other! I don’t love large-sized chocolate desserts, so these little bites would be perfect after a meal. I also appreciate the step-by-step instructions -so helpful!
Made these last night, definitely make sure the mixture is nice and firm or else you won’t be able to roll the balls. 1 word really- DECADENT. My boyfriend was seriously impressed. I rolled some in cocoa powder and some in coconut flakes, nobody would ever believe there’s avocado in there. Megan. once again. you are a genius.
My mom made these for me and my roommates and friends and it was a huge hit!! But the taste of the avocado was fairly obvious. Is it supposed to be like that or did we make a mistake?
You forgot to add in vanilla extract. I speak from experience because when I made frosting without the vanilla, all I could literally taste was candied fried butter but after adding in the vanilla, it made a huge difference
These are delicious. I made them last night for a little treat. We are snowed in and today is Valentine’s Day. I was happy to have a little treat that I could eat and not feel guilty! Thanks for sharing treats that I can make and feel good when making and eating!
Oh my gosh! These were ABSOLUTELY divine. I used rough measurements: half a bag of 12 oz. dark chocolate chips and then 1/3 C of mashed avocado and that was it. I let it sit in the fridge longer than I had intended because my run lasted a while but they were still fairly easy to shape and everybody at my office has loved them. I could tell there was another ingredient in them but if someone had pressed me to name it without knowing the recipe I would have never guessed that it was avocado.
Really fantastic, Megan, thank you. Have a Happy Valentine’s Day!
Wow! Just made these. Sinfully good!
Mine seemed a bit soft after the fridge ( but i subbed in a little 100% unsweetened, adollup of peanut butter and cocoanut oil so…) but a double roll in the cocoa powder and 5 minutes in the freezer firmed them up. Might depend on size and ripeness of the avocado?
Consider a little five spice powder mixed with the cocoa if you happen to like that flavor and smell…
Holy crap… these look amazing! I can’t believe the recipe is so simple and actually on the healthy side!
I quadrupled this recepie as I was making valentines for 6 people (I figured I would still have too many)! In total it made 40 truffles! This was on Thursday (very late so they’d be ready for Friday morning) it is now Sunday morning and every single truffle is GONE! No on could stop eating them! I only even got one lol! But rave rave reviews from everyone they just loved them and I loved giving my family and close friends a delicious yet healthy valentines treat! Thanks Megan as always you have outdone yourself! Can’t wait for more delicious posts!
Made these last night to share with my neighbor and family. Nom! I NEVER would have thought to add the avocado…the mouthfeel was devine.
I had two with a glass of red wine, and had a difficult time going to sleep. Too much caffeine in the cacao??? Totally worth it though. =)
you recepies are divine!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!keep the good work going I come from Prague and my mother was superb baker this is much healtier way to eat sweet!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
A tip while rolling the balls… Moisten ur fingers with water and the chocolate will not stick to ur palms as much.
Ahhh! That was a pain for me! My hands were covered!
My hands never touched the mixture. Thinking I would be rolling them in my palms, I preparedly put on food gloves, which have worked great in the past. However, the mixture was firm enough (I put it in the freezer for about 15-20 minutes) to use my melon baller, which scooped perfectly-sized balls that I added, one by one, into the bowl with the coating. Then I just covered the ball with the coating using my gloved fingers, rolling it around in the coating. The chocolate never melted or got messy at all! If you don’t have a melon baller, I highly suggest investing in one, as it will make your life SO much easier! 😉
these look awesome! i’m going to make them in the morning!!
these. are. amazing. i made them with 85% dark chocolate (i like my chocolate super dark) and they are so rich and divine. 🙂
Truly delicious. I put a pecan in the middle of each one as a filling, and instead of cocoa powder to coat them, I threw dried cranberries and shredded coconut into a blender and used that as the coating. Wow are they ever good. It was a great Valentines, and I got way more browny points than had I bought a box of chocs.
great idea! how long do you think these could last in the fridge and not spoil?
I am thinking of making these as gifts but wondering the same thing about shelf life in fridge??
OMG! I just finished making these and they taste incredible!! I had dark chocolate melting chocolate on hand, so I used that (Chocoley bada-bing melting chocolate if anyone’s looking for a pre-tempered high quality nut-free chocolate that you can microwave). Just a tip though for anyone tried these: go VERY light on the cocoa powder! I completely coated mine to make them look pretty and even, but I almost choked on the powder when I tried my first one. In the future, I think just dusting them wouldve been better lol.
We all loved them!! Next time, I will put some nuts in processor and roll balls in that.
Made them last week. awesome.
Next time I will try adding a little more avocado and less cocoa, just enough for dusting.
Oh My! These look AMAZING!!! Can’t wait to try these!
I wanted to make more than 12 so I doubled the measurements. I took it out of the fridge after the 20 minutes and it didn’t seem to firm so I put it in longer. Should I double the time to 40?
I made three bathes: One flavoured with a couple tbsps of coffee and a couple bit of homemade cashew butter, one with cashew butter then rolled in cashews, and one regular.
You can make cashew butter, as I’ve figured out, by pounding cashews with a mallet or chopping them into tiny pieces then with a tiny bit of coconut oil mash the cashew pieces up with a mortar and pestle. I actually just sifted out and used the tiny crumbs left over from chopping the cashew used for rolling.
Okay, so they’re not actually finished yet… Still chillin’ in the fridge! 😉
(Well, my first attempt to comment was full of typos! I’m just so darned excited!)
I made three batches: One flavoured with a couple tbsps of coffee and a bit of homemade cashew butter, one with cashew butter then rolled in cashews, and one regular.
You can make cashew butter, as I’ve figured out, by pounding cashews with a mallet or chopping them into tiny pieces then with a tiny bit of coconut oil, mash the cashew pieces up with a mortar and pestle until smooth. I actually just sifted out and used the tiny crumbs left over from chopping the cashews used for rolling.
Okay, so they’re not actually finished yet… Still chillin’ in the fridge! 😉
Success! Added some instant dark roast coffee for more flavour in the coffee truffles.