Name: Christmas Fruit Mince Truffles Recipe
Prep time: 40 min
Cook time: 5 min
Total time: 3 h 15 min
Cuisine: Christmas
Ingredients: 125 ml (½ cup) heavy whipping/thickened cream; 200 g (7 oz) dark cooking chocolate (70 % cocoa solids), finely chopped; ¼ teaspoon ground cinnamon; ⅓ cup fruit mince (homemade or store bought); 180 g (6 oz) milk cooking chocolate; 100 g (3 ½ oz) white cooking chocolate; 9 red glacé/candied cherries, halved

There’s something utterly magical about these little bites of holiday joy, which is why I’m so excited to share my Christmas Fruit Mince Truffles Recipe with you. They’re rich, fruity, and melt-in-your-mouth delicious — perfect for sharing or sneaking a few when no one’s watching.

The image shows a close-up of a round dessert ball with three clear layers: the bottom is a smooth light brown base, the middle is a darker brown textured layer shaped like a sphere, and the top has white cream dripping down the sides. On the very top sits a shiny, deep red cherry. The dessert is placed on a round white stand on a white marbled surface. More similar dessert balls are in the background and foreground, some in a white bowl filled with dark red cherries. 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 Christmas Fruit Mince Truffles Recipe
Top Tip
How to Serve Christmas Fruit Mince Truffles Recipe
Make Ahead and Storage
Frequently Asked Questions:
Final Thoughts
Christmas Fruit Mince Truffles Recipe

Why You'll Love This Recipe

I first made these truffles a few Christmas seasons ago when I wanted something a bit different from the usual sweets on the table. Since then, they’ve become a festive staple, and I keep coming back to them because they’re so easy to make yet feel indulgently special.

Incredible Flavor Balance: The fruit mince and dark chocolate blend together perfectly to offer a rich yet fruity taste.
Simple Prep, Stunning Results: Even if you’re new to making truffles, this recipe is straightforward and forgiving.
Customizable and Festive: You can dress them up with white chocolate and cherries for that classic Christmas vibe.
Last-Minute Gift Idea: These truffles freeze beautifully, making them a great option for quick holiday gifting.

Ingredients & Why They Work

This recipe is a beautiful dance between creamy chocolate, warm spices, and that unmistakable rich sweetness of fruit mince. Each ingredient offers something unique, so choosing quality ones really pays off.

Flat lay of a small white ceramic bowl filled with thickened cream, finely chopped blocks of dark cooking chocolate, a small white bowl of ground cinnamon powder, a small white bowl of homemade fruit mince with visible raisins and chopped dried fruits, a simple white ceramic plate with even pieces of milk cooking chocolate, another small white bowl with smooth white cooking chocolate chunks, and a neat arrangement of nine halved bright red glacé cherries, all placed 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

Heavy whipping cream: It adds creaminess and binds everything into a silky ganache texture.
Dark cooking chocolate (70% cocoa): The high cocoa content gives depth and balances the sweetness of the fruit mince.
Ground cinnamon: Just the right hint of spice to enhance the holiday flavors without overpowering.
Fruit mince: I love using homemade for freshness, but a high-quality store-bought one works too—just pick a flavorful variety.
Milk cooking chocolate: Perfect for the smooth truffle coating that goes on like a dream.
White cooking chocolate: Used for decorating, it adds a lovely contrast and lets you get creative.
Glacé/candied cherries: They bring a pop of color and festive sweetness on top of each truffle.

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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

One of my favorite parts about this Christmas Fruit Mince Truffles Recipe is how easy it is to tweak. Whether you like it a bit boozier or want to swap out the cherries for something different, there’s room to make it really yours.

Variation: I’ve sometimes added a splash of brandy or rum to the cream before melting the chocolate for an extra festive kick. Just remember to reduce the cream slightly to keep the texture right.
Dietary Twist: For dairy-free, use coconut cream and enjoy the tropical hint it adds to your truffles.
Nutty Upgrade: Rolling the truffles in chopped nuts like pistachios or toasted almonds makes for a crunchy surprise and looks gorgeous on a holiday platter.

Step-by-Step: How I Make Christmas Fruit Mince Truffles Recipe

A white plate holds several round chocolate balls, each covered in a smooth milk chocolate layer. On top, a white chocolate drip flows down the sides of each ball, with a shiny bright red cherry set neatly on top. One chocolate ball is cut in half and placed on top, showing a dense, fudgy texture inside with small bits of nuts or fruit. The plate is set on a white marbled surface, and in the background, there is a small white bowl filled with a chunky dark brown spread. The overall look is neat, shiny, and rich with contrasting colors. photo taken with an iphone --ar 2:3 --v 7

Step 1: Warm the Cream and Melt the Chocolate

Start by gently warming the cream in a small saucepan until just below boiling—this is key, as overheating can make the chocolate seize. Turn off the heat and add the finely chopped dark chocolate, stirring slowly until it melts and the mixture becomes smooth and glossy. This silky base is what makes the truffles so luxurious.

Step 2: Add Cinnamon and Fruit Mince, Then Chill

After letting the chocolate-cream mixture cool for about 5 minutes, stir in the ground cinnamon and your fruit mince. Make sure it’s combined evenly so every bite tastes just right. Pour the mixture into a lined small flat dish—this helps the truffle layer chill and firm up evenly. Pop it in the fridge for about 1½ to 2 hours, or until it’s firm enough to roll.

Step 3: Roll and Chill the Truffles

Using a small ice cream scoop or spoon, scoop out balls and gently roll them in your hands to compact. If the mixture feels too hard, let it sit out for 5–10 minutes until it softens slightly. Place each ball on a baking tray lined with baking paper and chill them again for at least 30 minutes to firm up before coating.

Step 4: Melt Chocolate for Coating

Break the milk chocolate into even chunks and melt it gently over simmering water or in short bursts in the microwave, stirring often. Do the same with the white chocolate for decoration. Let both cool for about 15 minutes; if they’re too warm they’ll melt your truffles instead of coating them.

Step 5: Dip, Decorate, and Chill

Dip each truffle fully in the milk chocolate, using two forks to coat evenly and scrape off excess. If the coating hardens too much while you work, gently rewarm it. Once coated, chill the truffles again until firm. To decorate, add a dollop of white chocolate at the top and press half a glacé cherry onto each — it’s a simple but stunning festive touch.

Top Tip

From my experience making these Christmas Fruit Mince Truffles Recipe, these easy tips can really make your life easier and keep your truffles looking flawless.

Chocolate Tempering: Let the melted chocolate cool but stay fluid—too hot will melt the truffles; too cool will make dipping tricky.
Rolling Consistency: If the mixture is too soft to roll, chilling longer helps; don’t rush or the truffles won’t hold shape.
Use Two Forks to Dip: It’s a neat little trick I learned — it helps coat the truffle evenly and gets rid of excess chocolate.
Storage Layers: When storing, separate the truffles with baking paper to avoid sticking and preserve their perfect shape.

How to Serve Christmas Fruit Mince Truffles Recipe

Christmas Mince Truffles - Serving Suggestion

Garnishes

Besides the classic glacé cherry, I sometimes sprinkle edible gold dust or roll truffles lightly in crushed pistachios for a festive sparkle and texture contrast. It’s amazing how a little garnish makes these treats feel party-ready.

Side Dishes

These truffles are perfect alongside a hot cup of spiced tea or mulled wine. They also make a delightful finish to a Christmas dessert board with cheeses, nuts, and fresh fruit.

Creative Ways to Present

I love placing these truffles in pretty mini cupcake liners arranged on a tiered platter for holiday gatherings. Wrapping small batches in cellophane tied with ribbon makes for delightful homemade gifts that everyone will adore.

Make Ahead and Storage

Storing Leftovers

I store leftover truffles in an airtight container in the fridge layered with baking paper. They keep their texture and flavor beautifully for up to a week — perfect for savoring slowly or unexpected guests.

Freezing

Freezing is a lifesaver for holiday prep. I freeze the truffles in layers with parchment paper, then thaw in the fridge overnight before serving. The chocolate sometimes develops a slight bloom, but it’s purely cosmetic — the taste stays just as rich.

Reheating

If you want the truffles a little softer after chilling, I leave them at room temperature for 10–15 minutes. Avoid microwaving, which can ruin the texture, but if you gently warm them in a sealed container with very low heat, be extremely careful to keep them from melting.

Frequently Asked Questions:

Can I use store-bought fruit mince for this recipe?

Absolutely! While I prefer homemade fruit mince for freshness and flavor control, a good-quality store-bought fruit mince works wonderfully. Just check the ingredients to make sure it suits your taste and dietary preferences.

What’s the best way to prevent the chocolate from seizing?

The key is to keep water out of the chocolate when melting—any moisture causes seizing. Melt chocolate over simmering water with the bowl not touching the water, or microwave in short bursts stirring frequently. Also, using dry utensils helps a lot!

Can I make these truffles ahead of time?

Yes! These truffles are great make-ahead treats. You can prepare them a few days or even weeks before Christmas, store them properly in an airtight container in the refrigerator, and they’ll still be delicious and fresh when you’re ready to serve.

What’s the best chocolate to use for this Christmas Fruit Mince Truffles Recipe?

I recommend a dark cooking chocolate with around 70% cocoa solids. It brings the right bitterness and richness to balance the sweet fruit mince and cream. For the coating, milk chocolate melts smoothly and adds sweetness, while white chocolate is perfect for decorative touches.

Final Thoughts

This Christmas Fruit Mince Truffles Recipe holds a special place in my heart because it brings together familiar Christmas flavors in a fresh, elegant bite you can enjoy any time during the holidays. Give it a go—you’ll not only impress your loved ones but also get the joy of making something truly delicious that’s both simple and festive. I promise, once you try them, you might just make them your new favorite holiday treat too!