These chocolate no-bake truffles with Baileys are part of my Christmas dessert challenge for this year. As I mentioned earlier, I challenged myself to create at least five different types of Christmas treats to share with loved ones. And these luscious chocolate truffles with Baileys are the second treat on my list.
I love them so much as they are rich, creamy and so delightful. They remind me of Christmas, family and all the good stuff. I think the secret for such beautiful flavour comes from the natural sweetness of the dates, the coffee flavour of the Baileys, the smokiness of the maple syrup, and the warmth of the cinnamon sugar as a finish. Together, all of these ingredients create a luxurious bite-sized dessert you will want to make again and again.
Why You’ll Love These Truffles
These chocolate truffles are so rich, flavourful, and creamy and they literally melt in your mouth. I advise you to make a few extra because, trust me, you’ll want to keep some just for yourself. And who knows? A plate of these might even bump you to the top of Santa’s nice list!
So Flexible and Versatile
Similar to the other truffles I made as part of this challenge, they are incredibly versatile and easy to swap ingredients around to come to many different flavours and varieties of truffles.
You can easily switch the Baileys for pure vanilla extract (for a non-alcoholic version) or add a spoonful of a strong espresso for a coffee kick.
Want to try out what Kahlúa can do? Make sure you check my other chocolate truffle recipe to try them out.
If you are up for some experiment in toppings, you can roll the truffles in cinnamon sugar, good quality cocoa powder, or even some finely chopped nuts. Trust me, possibilities are endless, therefore flavours too. These truffles are such an easy dessert saver for unexpected guests or even as part of a yummy gift box for a dear friend.
What You Need
Chocolate: Choose your favorite type of chocolate. I used milk chocolate as it is sweet and creamy; the dark chocolate is equally amazing as it adds a rich, bittersweet flavour.
Heavy cream: To get a creamy luscious texture, you need a full-fat heavy cream. For dairy-free options, coconut cream works great. Make sure you download my Last Minute Substitute List to find any alternative ingredients and easy swaps.
Maple syrup: One of my top ingredients! A good maple syrup adds smoky sweetness that only improves the flavours.
Unsalted butter: The butter helps the truffles firm up and be easy to shape.
Dates: Dates add this natural sweetness and a slightly chewy texture. Make sure you use pitted dates and chop them finely, to get a nice chewy texture without being overly messing up the creaminess of the truffles.
Ground cinnamon: A tablespoon of ground cinnamon will add warmth and depth making everything taste just right.
Baileys Irish Cream: I don’t think that is anything better than pairing the Baileys with chocolate. Uh what a luxurious treat!
Cinnamon sugar: A blend of sugar and cinnamon creates a beautiful, festive coating. You can either buy already prepped one, or do what I did – simply mix 2 tablespoons fine white sugar and 1 tablespoon ground cinnamon.
Biscuits: Use your favourite tea cookies as the base. I opted for Biscoff biscuits for extra holiday flavour. Make sure you crush or finely chop them in a food processor and adjust the quantity to achieve a firmer mixture that is easy to roll. You may need to adjust the quantity, but make sure you don’t over do it as too firm and dry texture can make them break and hard to shape.
Chocolate No-Bake Truffles with Baileys
Course: DessertDifficulty: Easy8
servings5
minutes10
minutes2-3
hoursEasy-to-follow recipe for no-bake Baileys chocolate truffles. In just few simple steps, you'll master the art of rolling these delightful treats whether enjoyed as a dessert of gifted to a dear friend.
Ingredients
150g chocolate (milk, dark, or a mix)
¾ cup heavy cream
1 shot (40ml) Baileys Irish Cream
1 tablespoon maple syrup
2 tablespoons unsalted butter, room temperature
1 tablespoon ground cinnamon
8-10 pitted dates, finely chopped
cinnamon sugar for coating, as needed
1 cup crushed biscuits (adjust quantity as needed)
Directions
- Finely chop the dates in a food processor.
- In a small saucepan over medium-low heat, melt the chocolate with the butter. Stir in the dates, Baileys, and maple syrup until well combined.
- Gradually pour in the heavy cream, stirring constantly until the mixture thickens. Add the crushed biscuits with cinnamon and mix well with a spatula to achieve a firm, but pliable texture. Adjust biscuits quantity, as needed. Just make sure you don't add to much as as the truffles will become too dry and can break.
- Transfer the mixture to a bowl, cover with plastic wrap, and refrigerate for 2-3 hours or until firm enough to shape.
Notes
- If the mixture becomes too sticky while shaping the truffles, lightly wet your hands with water. Work quickly to keep the truffles from softening too much as the chocolate and butter easily melt.
How to store the truffles
Store them in an airtight container in the fridge for up to a week or freeze for up to a month. They are a lifesaver when unexpected guests arrive.
Perfect for Gifting
Create a stunning homemade gift by packaging these truffles in a decorative box or jar.
Tie it with a nice ribbon, and you will get a thoughtful, homemade delicious treat to share with dear friends.
Feel free to also experiment with flavours and toppings to make these truffles your own staple.
Don’t forget to share your favourite combinations, because I’d love to hear about your creations. Remember “sharing is caring”, so share this recipe for others to get also inspired.
Try My Other Christmas Dessert Recipes
Fir a festive holiday season and to sweeten things up, cookies and goodies are a must. Try there recipes and enjoy the best time of the year.
