Name: Chocolate Orange Truffles Recipe
Prep time: 30 min
Cook time: 10 min
Total time: 3 h
Cuisine: European
Ingredients: 90 ml thickened/whipping cream (⅓ cup + 2 tsp); 200 g dark cooking chocolate (40% cocoa solids), finely chopped (7 oz); 1 teaspoon orange zest, finely grated; ⅓ cup chocolate sprinkles

There’s something so delightful about the rich, velvety taste of chocolate that’s perfectly matched with a fresh, zesty kick of orange. This Chocolate Orange Truffles Recipe is exactly that — a melt-in-your-mouth treat that’s surprisingly simple to make but feels fancy enough for any occasion. Trust me, once you try them, you’ll want to keep a batch stashed in your fridge all the time.

A white plate sits on a white marbled surface, piled high with round chocolate truffles covered in small, thin chocolate sprinkles creating a rough, textured look. One truffle is bitten, showing a smooth, shiny, dark chocolate inside. Next to the truffles are bright orange slices with a fresh, juicy texture, adding a vibrant splash of color. The plate is simple and clean, focusing attention on the rich brown truffles and bright fruit. Photo taken with an iphone --ar 2:3 --v 7

Jump to:

Why You'll Love This Recipe
Ingredients & Why They Work
Make It Your Way
Step-by-Step: How I Make Chocolate Orange Truffles Recipe
Top Tip
How to Serve Chocolate Orange Truffles Recipe
Make Ahead and Storage
Frequently Asked Questions:
Final Thoughts
Chocolate Orange Truffles Recipe

Why You'll Love This Recipe

I’ve made my fair share of truffles over the years, but these chocolate orange ones have a special place in my heart. They strike the perfect balance of creamy chocolate with the bright sparkle of orange zest, making each bite feel fresh and indulgent. Plus, they’re such a straightforward recipe that you can whip up without any fuss!

Simple ingredients: You only need a handful of pantry staples to create these luscious treats.
Quick chilling: While they do need to rest in the fridge, the hands-on time is less than 30 minutes.
Customizable coating: Chocolate sprinkles give a lovely texture, but you can switch things up with nuts or cocoa powder.
Perfect gift idea: They look wonderfully homemade and taste like a gourmet confection – your friends and family will be impressed.

A clear white plate holds a pile of small round chocolate balls covered in dark chocolate sprinkles, creating a rough texture. Around the pile, bright orange slices with juicy, slightly translucent flesh and a soft rind alternate, framing the chocolate balls evenly. The plate sits on a white marbled surface that adds a soft, clean look to the composition. The image is bright and focused, showing the contrast between the dark chocolate texture and the vibrant orange slices. photo taken with an iphone --ar 2:3 --v 7

Ingredients & Why They Work

This Chocolate Orange Truffles Recipe keeps things beautifully simple so you get that luscious texture and flavors to really shine. The ingredients complement each other perfectly — the cream gives the truffles a silky smoothness while the chocolate brings richness, and that bit of orange zest adds just the right brightness.

Flat lay of a small mound of finely chopped dark chocolate with a rich deep brown color, a small white ceramic bowl filled with thickened whipping cream looking smooth and creamy, a neat pile of finely grated bright orange zest, and a small white ceramic bowl heaped with glossy chocolate sprinkles, all arranged with perfect symmetry on a clean white marble surface, soft natural light, photo taken with an iPhone, professional food photography style, fresh ingredients, white ceramic bowls, no bottles, no duplicates, no utensils, no packaging --ar 2:3 --v 7 --p m7354615311229779997

Thickened/whipping cream: Full-fat cream is key here. It adds that luxurious creaminess that helps the chocolate set into soft, melt-in-your-mouth truffles.
Dark cooking chocolate (40% cocoa solids): I like this percentage because it balances sweetness and richness well, but if you prefer it more bitter or sweeter, feel free to adjust.
Orange zest: Freshly grated zest is a game-changer — it brings a fresh, aromatic note that cuts through the richness perfectly.
Chocolate sprinkles: For coating — they add a fun texture and make rolling easier while still keeping things beautifully chocolatey.

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Note: You'll find the complete list of ingredients, along with their exact measurements, in the printable recipe card at the bottom of this post.

Make It Your Way

I love making these truffles as written, but there’s plenty of room to get creative with this recipe. Whether you want to amp up the citrus, swap coatings, or make a dairy-free version, it’s easy to tailor these to your taste or dietary needs.

Add a splash of liqueur: I once stirred in a tablespoon of Grand Marnier to the cream for an adult twist — it gives a subtle boozy hint that pairs beautifully with orange.
Coatings swap: Instead of chocolate sprinkles, you can roll the truffles in finely chopped nuts, cocoa powder, or even shredded coconut for different textures.
Dairy-free version: Use coconut cream in place of whipping cream and dairy-free dark chocolate to keep these vegan-friendly.

Step-by-Step: How I Make Chocolate Orange Truffles Recipe

Step 1: Warming the Cream & Zest

First up, gently heat the cream and orange zest together in a small saucepan over low heat. You want the cream just below boiling—so keep a close eye on it to avoid scorching. The warm cream extracts the oils from the orange zest, infusing that lovely citrus aroma throughout the truffles.

Step 2: Melting the Chocolate

Once the cream is hot, turn off the heat and add the chopped dark chocolate. Stir patiently until the chocolate is fully melted and the mixture looks glossy and smooth. This is key to those silky truffles, so take your time stirring — no lumps here!

Step 3: Chilling & Setting

Pour the chocolate mixture into your prepared dish lined with baking paper, then pop it in the fridge for about 2 hours. You’re aiming for a firm texture that’s still soft enough to scoop and roll — like a creamy fudge.

Step 4: Rolling & Coating

This part’s really fun! Using either a small ice cream scoop or a teaspoon, scoop out just under a tablespoon of the chilled mixture. Roll it quickly into a small ball—pressing slightly to compact it. If the chocolate is too firm, let it sit at room temp for 5-10 minutes before rolling. To keep your hands cool (and avoid melting the chocolate), I like to keep an ice pack or a pack of frozen peas nearby along with paper towels to dry my hands occasionally.

Once rolled, toss each ball in your bowl of chocolate sprinkles, moving the bowl around so they get an even coating. Place each truffle on the lined tray, then refrigerate again for at least 30 minutes to set.

Top Tip

From my personal experience, the biggest challenge with this Chocolate Orange Truffles Recipe is rolling the truffles before the chocolate gets too hard. Keeping your hands cool makes a huge difference – it stops the truffles from turning into a sticky mess and helps you get nicely rounded balls every time.

Keep everything cool: Chill your bowl of sprinkles and your tray ahead of time, so that when you drop the truffles on them, they set quickly without sticking.
Use a small ice cream scoop: This helps keep the truffle size consistent, which not only looks better but also ensures even chilling.
Don’t rush the chilling step: Proper chilling is what gives the truffles their signature creamy yet firm texture.
Dry your hands often: It seems small, but moisture can ruin the texture when rolling, so keep a paper towel handy to keep hands dry.

How to Serve Chocolate Orange Truffles Recipe

chocolate orange truffles - Serving Suggestion

Garnishes

I typically stick to chocolate sprinkles because they’re easy and chocolaty, but sometimes I sprinkle a light dusting of cocoa powder or even finely chopped pistachios for a festive touch. Grated orange zest on top adds a beautiful burst of color and an extra hit of citrus aroma that really makes the truffles pop.

Side Dishes

These truffles pair wonderfully with a cup of strong espresso or even a glass of dessert wine like Muscat. They also complement fresh berries or a dollop of whipped cream if you want to plate them up as part of a dessert spread.

Creative Ways to Present

For special occasions, I love arranging these truffles in mini cupcake liners and placing them in pretty boxes or jars tied with a ribbon — instant handcrafted gift! You can also create a truffle platter with assorted coatings and a few slices of candied orange for a stunning dessert centerpiece.

Make Ahead and Storage

Storing Leftovers

Store your truffles in an airtight container in the fridge — they’ll keep beautifully fresh for up to a week. If you have multiple layers, lay down sheets of non-stick baking paper between them so they don’t stick together.

Freezing

I’ve frozen these truffles successfully by placing them on a tray to harden, then transferring them to a freezer-safe container layered with parchment paper. They freeze well for up to two months. When ready to enjoy, just let them thaw in the fridge — no sogginess or texture loss!

Reheating

Reheating isn’t really necessary for these truffles since they’re best served chilled, but if they’ve been in the freezer, just thaw them in the fridge overnight. This keeps their creamy texture intact without melting them.

Frequently Asked Questions:

Can I use milk chocolate instead of dark chocolate?

You can swap dark chocolate for milk chocolate, but keep in mind the truffles will be sweeter and less rich. It might change the overall texture slightly because milk chocolate has a different fat content and cocoa solids ratio.

How do I know when the chocolate mixture is set enough to roll?

The mixture should be firm to the touch but still soft enough that you can scoop it easily without cracking. If it’s too firm, leave it at room temperature for a few minutes to soften before rolling.

Can I add different flavors besides orange?

Absolutely! The base recipe is quite versatile. You can try adding peppermint extract, coffee, or even a splash of your favorite liqueur to switch up the flavor profile.

What’s the best way to store these truffles?

The best way to store your truffles is in an airtight container in the fridge. If stacking, separate layers with parchment paper to prevent sticking. They’ll keep fresh for about a week this way. For longer storage, freezing is also an excellent option.

Final Thoughts

This Chocolate Orange Truffles Recipe is one of those delightful little treats that never fails to impress — and honestly, it’s such a joy to make. Whether you’re gifting it, serving up at a dinner party, or just sneaking one (or three!) after dinner, these truffles always bring a smile. I hope you enjoy making and sharing them as much as I do — they’re truly a little bite of happiness.