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Here's my special chocolate treat – these scrumptious hazelnut balls. I tweaked this creation in my kitchen after trying tons of chocolate combos and methods. Once you taste that smooth middle with its perfect mix of hazelnut spread and light saltiness, you'll see why these have become what I'm known for when celebrations come around.
What Makes These Balls Special
These treats pack an amazing depth of flavor. Every mouthful begins with the crisp dark chocolate outside breaking into the smoothest hazelnut middle you've ever had. They're so adaptable too – dusted with cocoa they look homemade and rustic, but coat them in chocolate and they turn into fancy sweets. I always make these when I need to impress friends who love good chocolate.
What You'll Need for Hazelnut Balls
- Dark Chocolate: Pick something with 54%-65% cocoa for just the right sweetness and a velvety mix. Bars work better than chips when chopped up.
- Heavy Cream: Go for the full-fat kind (40%) to get a thick, stable mixture that won't separate.
- Kosher Salt: This balances the sweetness and brings out flavors without being too strong.
- Nutella: This gives the trademark hazelnut and chocolate taste that makes these so good.
- Hazelnut Flour: Used for coating. You can also use toasted, chopped hazelnuts if you want some crunch.
- Cocoa Powder: Dutch-processed adds richness and a nice dark color outside.
- Amaretto (Optional): A dash of hazelnut booze makes these taste even fancier.
How to Make Them
- Warm the Cream
- Get heavy cream just hot enough to bubble, warming it evenly for a silky mixture.
- Soften the Chocolate
- Put your cut-up chocolate in a bowl and pour hot cream over it. Wait 2 minutes, then stir slowly in the same direction until everything's smooth.
- Mix in Nutella
- Stir Nutella into your chocolate mix until it's completely smooth. Throw in a bit of kosher salt and amaretto if you want.
- Cool the Mix
- Put your mixture in the fridge for 1-2 hours until it's firm enough to shape.
- Shape and Finish
- Take small bits of the mix and roll into little balls. Cover with hazelnut flour or cocoa, or dip in melted chocolate for a fancy finish.
How Long They Last
These treats stay great in my tight-sealed container in the fridge for up to 4 weeks, but honestly they never stick around that long at my place! If you like them at room temp, they'll be good for about 10 days. I don't freeze mine because it can mess up their smooth feel and that amazing taste we worked so hard to get right.
Fun Ways to Switch It Up
I love trying new flavors in my kitchen! Sometimes I'll coat them in smashed pistachios for some color. Adding some orange peel to the mix creates an awesome citrus twist. My top pick? A tiny bit of espresso powder mixed in – it really makes the chocolate flavor pop!
Great for Every Event
These little treats have saved so many parties at my house. Whether I'm having friends over for dinner or need a quick gift to bring somewhere, they always hit the spot. Seeing people's faces light up when they taste one makes all the work worthwhile.
Tips From My Kitchen
After making so many batches, I've figured out some tricks. Keep an eye on that cream – you want it just barely bubbling. I use my favorite French whisk for the smoothest mix, but remember to only stir one way. And don't cut corners on cooling time – taking it slow means your balls will keep their shape every time.
Why This Is So Good
This creation means a lot to me. It's easy enough for beginners but makes something really amazing. The mix of flavors and the rich feel come together in these perfect little bites. Every batch reminds me why I love making chocolate treats so much.
Ways to Enjoy Them
At my house we put these balls on a dessert plate. I place them next to fresh raspberries and serve with bold red wine or coffee. For big events I'll create a whole chocolate spread mixing these with other handmade sweets – you can try so many combos!
Put Your Spin On It
What's great about this is how you can change it to match what you like. Sometimes I mix in crushed pretzels for a sweet and salty bite, or add a splash of Frangelico for more nutty flavor. Try your own ideas – that's how all the tastiest treats start!
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Frequently Asked Questions
- → How can I fix broken ganache?
Stir in a tablespoon of super cold cream, one at a time, until it smooths out. It won't be perfect but will still taste fantastic.
- → What’s the shelf life?
They last up to 10 days at room temp or about 4 weeks in the fridge. Use a tightly sealed container to keep them fresh.
- → Can I substitute the chocolate?
Sure! Just remember that anything less than 55% cocoa will make them very sweet due to the Nutella.
- → Is freezing an option?
You can freeze them, but it’s not ideal since the texture and flavor may suffer a bit.
- → What coatings work well?
Try cocoa powder or finely crushed nuts. To get fancy, dip them in melted chocolate for a smoother finish.