So you want to make a candy gift for Valentines Day, but not sure which to choose. Simple, easy, difficult, gourmet, chocolate, fruity, what should it be? Ever think you could make something fairly simple and gourmet at the same time? You can. You’ve seen them on the shelves at popular grocery stores around the holidays whether for Christmas time or Valentine’s Day, but now here’s your chance to make them yourself. Your sweetheart will be shocked when he or she finds out you made them instead of buying them.

Homemade Truffles.

These gourmet rich chocolate balls ooze chocolate over your tongue as they melt. Solid on the outside, soft on the inside truffles will be a hit with your boyfriend, girlfriend, husband or wife. Bring a smile to their taste buds and their heart will be filled with joy. If they like chocolate, then you cannot skip this idea without at least looking at it. It’s not as hard as you might think.

There is a long list of truffles recipes but you can keep it simple by choosing one that you can handle after reviewing several. There are so many recipes out there from chocolate covered truffles, cookies and cream, strawberry, orange, chocolate chip peppermint, hazelnut to caramel. The recipes call for a few steps just basically mixing melted chocolate and some type of dairy product over heat with a few other ingredients depending on the recipe. Then letting the mixture cool and next forming the mix into balls. As always with chocolate you must be careful how fast you heat it or it could seize, but this is a treat you can handle. Once you get some experience you could take your truffles to the next level by dipping them in nuts, powdered cocoa, powdered sugar, drizzle them with colored chocolate or learn to fill them with liquors and ganaches.

Don’t forget packaging. It’s an important step in homemade gourmet candy gifts. The anticipation of opening up the delicate and attractive box will make your gift even more special. One idea is to drop your truffles into chocolate candy paper liners then package them in a box designed for gourmet chocolates that you can find at your local baking supplies store. Wrap them in shiny red, brown or golden paper made for Valentines Day and then tie it off with a ribbon.

Now remember before packaging them up taste a few yourself. Treat yourself first. Once you make your first batch of homemade truffles you just might be curious enough to try other great recipes too. The list of truffles recipes is endless so find your favorite flavors.

Happy Valentines Day!