Gift Box Truffles recipe

1 pound good quality dark chocolate, chopped
1/2 cup unsalted butter, at room temperature
1 1/3 cups heavy cream
1 tablespoon whiskey or brandy
1 1/2 cups toasted pecans, very finely chopped, see note
Holiday colored sanding sugars, optional

In medium heat-proof bowl, stir together the chopped chocolate and butter until combined. Butter will coat the chocolate. Set aside.

In saucepan over medium heat or Pyrex glass measure in microwave, heat heavy cream until boiling. Pour over chocolate mixture and quickly whisk until melted and smooth. Stir in whiskey.

Allow mixture to cool at room temperature for 30 minutes, stirring at 5 minutes intervals. Cover and chill 6 hours or overnight.

Using small 1-inch scoop, portion mixture into rounded balls. Quickly roll in finely chopped pecans. Adjust shape as needed with palms of hands working quickly. Roll again in nuts and sprinkle with colored sugar. Place in covered container and refrigerate until serving or packaging.

Allow truffles to warm 20 minutes before serving.

Baker's hint: To finely chop nuts, place coarsely chopped nuts into food processor. Pulse until finely ground. If nuts clump, add 1 teaspoon flour to absorb the oil.

Makes about 40 truffles.

Nutrition values per truffle: 119 calories, 10 g fat, 8 g carbohydrates, 1 g fiber, 1 g protein, 17 mg cholesterol, 4 mg sodium