Peppermint Truffles Recipe | Downshiftology (2024)

Peppermint truffles are rich, creamy, and melt in your mouth with every bite. Sounds like a chocolate lover’s dream right? Not only are these truffles made with just 4 ingredients, but they’re also dairy-free, gluten-free and vegan.

I’ve been in a bit of chocolate frenzy, which started with my paleo chocolate zucchini bread. But, I’m concluding this month with a special chocolate delicacy just in time for my birthday weekend!

If you’ve been following me for some time now, you know that a mint chocolate cake has been a birthday tradition since I was 6 years old. But, since I was diagnosed with celiac several years ago, I’ve challenged myself to create new variations of gluten-free mint chocolate recipes (you can see them all listed below).

So for this year’s birthday, I’ve decided to make something I’ve never done before: peppermint truffles. These bite sized treats are filled with a velvety ganache and have a refreshing peppermint undertone. They’re easy, decadent and delicious.

Which Peppermint Extract To Use

One thing to note is that you want to use peppermint extract, and not mint extract. The bottles may look the same, but there is a difference in flavors. Peppermint extract is derived from pure peppermint oil, where as mint comes from a combination of mint plants.

While there are tons of peppermint extracts to choose from, I personally prefer Neilsen-Massey Peppermint Extract. I use this extract for almost all my chocolate recipes, because it reminds of a refreshing peppermint patty.

How to Make Peppermint Truffles

Making this peppermint truffle recipe couldn’t be easier. Watch the video below for quick step-by-step instructions and tips:

1. Create a double boiler. Then reduce the heat into a simmer and place a glass bowl on top of the pot.
2. Heat the coconut milk by adding it into the bowl for 2-3 minutes until it’s warm.
3. Add the chocolate chips into the bowl and slowly stir until the mixture becomes silky smooth.
4. Remove the bowl from the double boiler and stir in the peppermint extract.
5. Let the ganache cool for about 2 hours in the fridge.
6. Scoop out the ganache from the bowl using a small cookie scooper, then use your hands to gently roll them into a ball. Note that this can be a messy process! Be quick to roll them because the mixture will melt from the heat of your hands.
7. Roll the balls in cacao powder, or any coating of your choice, and set them on a serving dish.
8. Place in the fridge to let it firm for about 15 minutes. Then enjoy!

Serving and Storing Chocolate Truffles

While chocolate truffles taste extremely delicious unadorned, rolling them in nuts, powdered sugar, sprinkles, or cacao powder takes them to the next level. You can even dip them in tempered chocolate for a hard outside and soft inside. But for my peppermint truffles, I chose to coat them in cacao powder.

The truffles are best kept in the fridge and served cold (in my opinion), as they’re a bit firmer and hold their shape better. But they will hold up at room temperature. They’ll just be a bit softer.

You can also make the truffles ahead of time for a party, holiday or function. Store them in the fridge for up to 2 weeks in a storage container.

PRO TIP: You can remove any excess cacao powder by rolling them between your hands again after they’ve chilled. This will remove any excess powder that might otherwise fall off when bitten into (as I’ve done in the photos).

More Chocolate Peppermint Recipes

If you love the chocolate peppermint combo like I do, here are my past birthday recipes to enjoy:

• Mint Double Chocolate Chip Cookies (2018 birthday)
• Chocolate Peppermint Slice (2017 birthday)
• Mini Skillet Brownies with Mint Chocolate Chip Ice Cream (2016 birthday)

And if you just want straight up chocolate, indulge in my Paleo Chocolate Cake, Chocolate Chia Pudding or Chocolate Mug Cake. All three are reader favorites!