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    Home » Italian Desserts » Italian Pastries

    Easy Chocolate Mascarpone Truffles

    Published: Dec 27, 2022 · Modified: Dec 6, 2024 by Silvana Nava · This post may contain affiliate links

    Jump to Recipe

    Chocolate Mascarpone Truffles are Italian treats made with mascarpone cheese, cocoa, plain cookies and a little sugar. Nothing more to get these delicious little sweet Italian truffles!

    With NO EGGS and NO BUTTER, chocolate mascarpone truffles are a perfect dessert for any occasion. From Christmas and Easter celebrations to all other occasions, they are always good and welcome.

    chocolate mascarpone truffles - 1

    It's up to you to personalize and adapt them to different occasions by choosing the most fitting finish! More elegant and refined for an important dinner party or cheerful and colorful for a children's party!The only basic condition for the success of these sweets is the freshness and excellent quality of the main ingredient: Mascarpone cheese.

    chocolate mascarpone truffles - 3

    Mascarpone and chocolate truffles are perfect if you are short on time but want to bring to the table a dessert with guaranteed success. They are incredibly good in their simplicity and very quick to make. Oh, plus they don't require cooking! Soft, creamy and delicate, they are a real treat!

    Follow the step by step recipe to to make Italian chocolate mascarpone truffles. You will definitely make them againand again for your parties and evenings with friends!

    chocolate mascarpone truffles - 4

    Jump to:
    • Ingredients
    • Kitchen Tools and Equipment
    • Instructions
    • Storage
    • Substitutes
    • Variations
    • Tips
    • Recipe Card


    Ingredients

    • Prep Time: 45 Min
    • Cook Time: 0 Min
    • Cooling Time: at least 2 H in the fridge
    • Servings: about 30 truffles

    For the Truffles

    • 150 g (5.3 oz) of plain cookies. We recommend dry cookies such as Oro Saiwa or Kedem Tea
    • 250 g (8.8 oz) of mascarpone cheese at room temperature. You can even make mascarpone cheese at home using our recipe.
    • 35 g (3 tablespoons) of bitter cocoa powder
    • 100 g (½ cup) of granulated sugar
    • 1 tablespoon of rum (optional)

    For the Decoration

    • 40 g (½ cup) of coconut flour
    • 40 g (½ cup ) of rainbow sprinkles
    • 40 g (½ cup) of chocolate sprinkles

    chocolate mascarpone truffles - 8

    Kitchen Tools and Equipment

    • You will definitely need an electric food chopper to crumble the cookies evenly.
    • A large bowl to mix all the ingredients and form the dough.
    • Very useful is a kitchen scale. Of course, as with all recipes, it's important to properly dose the ingredients. But in this case you might also find it useful to weigh the dough and make the balls all equal. Each truffle should weigh about 20/25 g (0.7/0.9 ounces).
    • After the preparation is complete, we recommend that you arrange the balls in mini cupcake liners. These, besides being aesthetically pleasing, are useful for taking the treat without getting your hands messy. Choose the colors best fitting the occasion and match them with the top color of the chocolate mascarpone truffles. With these tricks, your dessert buffet looks stylish and very well cared for.

    Instructions

    Make the Truffles

    BEFORE YOU START! Before you start making the recipe for these delicious mascarpone truffles, it's important to take a small precaution for best results: remove the mascarpone from the refrigerator about 30 minutes before starting.

    Italian chocolate mascarpone truffles step 1

    Step 1) - To make chocolate mascarpone truffles, first chop the cookies witha food processor. It's not necessary to reduce them to a powder, but they should still have a fine grain.

    Italian chocolate mascarpone truffles step 2

    Step 2) - Now put the chopped cookies in a bowl and add the other ingredients. First the sugar then the cocoa and mix.

    Italian chocolate mascarpone truffles step 3

    Step 3) - Add the mascarpone cheese. Mix all the ingredients very well. The dough will be a little difficult to mix with a spoon. You can also knead with your hands if you prefer.

    Finally, if you like, add the rum and finish mixing very well. The rum is optional. If you don't like the alcoholic aftertaste or you are making the mascarpone and chocolate truffles for children, then don't add it.

    Italian chocolate mascarpone truffles step 4

    Step 5) - Place the bowl with the dough in the refrigerator for about 20 minutes covered with plastic wrap and let it cool.

    After this time, take the dough and form small balls with your hands. If the dough sticks a bit, moisten your hands slightly.

    The balls should be as uniform as possible. About 20/25 grams each (0.7/0.9 ounces). To be more sure, you can use a scale.

    Decorate

    Italian chocolate mascarpone truffles step 5

    Step 7) - Place the toppings in separate bowls. We used rainbow sprinkles, chocolate sprinkles and coconut flour. But these are just some of the choices you can make (read the paragraph below on variations).

    Roll the chocolate mascarpone truffles into the sprinkles and coat them. Arrange the truffles in the mini cupcake liners.

    We recommend leaving the treats in the refrigerator for at least 2 hours before serving.

    chocolate mascarpone truffles - 2

    YOU MUST ALSO TRY:

    • Torta Caprese Recipe
    • Torta Tenerina - Italian Chocolate Brownie Recipe
    • Coffee Mascarpone Cream Served in Chocolate Cookie Cups
    • Authentic Italian Mascarpone Cream Recipe
    • Tiramisu Cake Roll
    • Italian Chocolate Cake | Torta al Cioccolato
    • Tiramisu Gelato
    • Mascarpone Lemon Truffles (Tartufi al Limone)
    • Chocolate Pinecones

    Storage

    You can store the mascarpone and chocolate truffles in the refrigerator for 2 to 3 days. Cover them with plastic wrap or store them in an airtight container.

    You can make the truffles the day before and then coat them with sprinkles just before serving so they keep their crunchiness!

    Substitutes

    • LIQUEUR: The authentic Italian recipe for mascarpone truffles calls for the addition of a liqueur, usually rum. You can substitute rum with other liqueurs of your liking. For example, Sambuca, Limoncello or Vermouth.
    • ALCOHOL FREE: If you do not like the alcoholic taste or are making the recipe for children, you can also omit it. For a non-alcoholic version of this dessert, you can replace the liquor by putting orange juice in the mixture of your truffles with mascarpone. You will still get a mouthwatering dessert that will appeal to young and old alike.

    chocolate mascarpone truffles - 5

    Variations

    • DECORATION: The most fun thing about this preparation is the final decoration. You will be very free to decide how to decorate them. Some people like to sprinkle them with colored sprinkles, others cover them with chopped pistachios or chopped hazelnuts. True chocolate lovers will opt for dark chocolate sprinkles or bitter cocoa. Tiny golden or silver sprinkles can be chosen for the holiday season.
    • TIRAMISU TRUFFLES: Alternatively, we recommend you try mascarpone and coffee truffles; their flavor will remind you of the much-loved tiramisu. For this variation, use the typical tiramisu cookies: ladyfingers. Crumble them in a mixer. Transfer them to a large bowl and add sugar, half a tablespoon of instant coffee and mascarpone. Stir the mixture until smooth and the coffee has dissolved. Allow to rest in the refrigerator for one hour covered with plastic wrap. After this time has elapsed, form the balls. Dip them in bitter cocoa powder and arrange them on a plate. Your tiramisu truffles will be a real treat.

    chocolate mascarpone truffles - 6

    Tips

    • MASCARPONE: We recommend using mascarpone at room temperature, as too cold would be difficult to work with. Therefore, remember to remove the mascarpone from the refrigerator at least 30 minutes beforehand.
    • COOLING TIME: Another tip we give you is to let the dough rest in the refrigerator for about half an hour: this will help the dough firm up to a compact consistency, ideal for working with your hands.
    • MOIST THE HANDS: Always remember to moisten your hands before creating the balls; this way the dough will not stick to the skin and you will work it more easily.
    • CONSISTENCY: The dough should be neither too hard nor, on the contrary, too soft, but soft and firm at the same time. To correct, if necessary, the consistency of the dough, help yourself by increasing the amounts of mascarpone or cookies to reach the right consistency to work with.

    chocolate mascarpone truffles - 7

    Recipe Card

    STEP BY STEP PHOTOS ABOVE!Have a look at my step-by-step photo instructions, variations and tips. That way, you can get it perfect the first time you try it!
    chocolate mascarpone truffles

    Easy Chocolate Mascarpone Truffles

    Silvana Nava
    Chocolate Mascarpone Truffles are Italian treats made with mascarpone cheese, cocoa, plain cookies and a little sugar. Nothing more to get these delicious little sweet Italian truffles!
    With NO EGGS and NO BUTTER, chocolate mascarpone truffles are a perfect dessert for any occasion. From Christmas and Easter celebrations to all other occasions, they are always good and welcome.
    5 from 2 votes
    Print Recipe Pin Recipe Save Saved!
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    Prep Time 45 minutes mins
    Cook Time 0 minutes mins
    Cooling Time 2 hours hrs
    Total Time 2 hours hrs 45 minutes mins
    Course Dessert
    Cuisine Italian
    Servings 30 truffles
    Calories 96 kcal

    Ingredients
      

    For the Truffles

    • 150 g cookies 5.3 oz, plain such as Oro Saiwa or Kedem Tea
    • 250 g mascarpone cheese 8.8 oz, at room temperature
    • 35 g cocoa powder 3 tablespoons, unsweetened
    • 100 g granulated sugar ½ cup
    • 1 tablespoon of rum optional

    For the Decoration

    • 40 g coconut flour ½ cup
    • 40 g rainbow sprinkles ½ cup
    • 40 g chocolate sprinkles ½ cup

    Instructions
     

    • chop the cookies with a food processor. It's not necessary to reduce them to a powder, but they should still have a fine grain.
    • Put the chopped cookies in a bowl and add the other ingredients. First the sugar then the cocoa and mix.
    • Add the mascarpone cheese.
    • Mix all the ingredients very well. The dough will be a little difficult to mix with a spoon. You can also knead with your hands if you prefer.
    • Finally, if you like, add the rum and finish mixing very well. The rum is optional. If you don't like the alcoholic aftertaste or you are making the mascarpone and chocolate truffles for children, then don't add it.
    • Place the bowl with the dough in the refrigerator for about 20 minutes covered with plastic wrap and let it cool.
    • After this time, take the dough and form small balls with your hands. If the dough sticks a bit, moisten your hands slightly. The balls should be as uniform as possible. About 20/25 grams each (0.7/0.9 ounces). To be more sure, you can use a scale.

    DECORATE

    • Roll the chocolate mascarpone truffles into the sprinkles and coat them. Arrange the truffles in the mini cupcake liners.
    • We recommend leaving the treats in the refrigerator for at least 2 hours before serving.

    Nutrition

    Serving: 100gCalories: 96kcalCarbohydrates: 11gProtein: 1gFat: 6gSaturated Fat: 3gPolyunsaturated Fat: 0.4gMonounsaturated Fat: 0.4gCholesterol: 8mgSodium: 25mgPotassium: 22mgFiber: 1gSugar: 7gVitamin A: 121IUCalcium: 14mgIron: 0.3mg
    Keyword chocolate mascarpone truffles recipe
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    Comments

    1. Joanne says

      January 11, 2023 at 10:44 pm

      5 stars
      I love the cookie recipe. Look forward to all your authentic Italian recipes. ojo

      Reply
    5 from 2 votes (1 rating without comment)

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    Barbara & Silvana

    CIAO! Barbara & Silvana here! We are the authors of these amazing Italian recipes. Living in Italy, they are part of our culture, tradition and everyday life. And we want to share them with you all, straight from Italy! Learn more about us! Read our story!

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