The Key To Tasty Chocolate Truffles After They've Been Refrigerated

Few can argue that chocolate is one of life's sweetest temptations. From white, milk, and dark chocolate varieties to decadent additions like peanut butter, coconuts, and peppermint, it's no wonder why chocolate is so hard to resist. And that's especially true for truffles, 

According to Dilettante Chocolates, chocolate truffles are considered to be top-tier level chocolates that are small, round, and taste very rich and chocolatey. Their appearance is also similar to the prized truffle mushrooms, per Chuao Chocolatier, as these look like chocolate truffles from a distance (and cost up to $4,000 per pound, via CNBC). Though you won't find any savory mushroom tastes in such chocolate truffles, you will be treated to a mix of heavy cream, unsweetened cocoa powder, and lots of bittersweet chocolate (per Science of Cooking) as well as occasional findings of fruit and liqueurs in the centers.

Making chocolate truffles isn't overly complicated, and one of the steps involves refrigerating such newly-made truffles for a minimum of one hour, as the latter source notes. Here's how to make them taste extra decadent after they've solidified in the fridge.

Refrigerating chocolate truffles so they can hold their shape is a no-brainer. But eating them while they're cold and firm? Now that's something Taste of Home advises against. The outlet explains that truffles have a melt-in-your-mouth quality that can only be experienced when they are softened, kind of like butter. And how do you get butter to naturally soften? You let it sit at room temperature before eating. And for chocolate truffles, this means about one hour. But if you're in a pinch, 30 minutes at room temperature will do just fine, per The Kitchn.

Keep in mind, though, that the truffles may start to melt if they sit out too long (as the former source mentioned), so be sure to promptly place any uneaten truffles back in the fridge. Simply Recipes also notes that since heavy cream is one of the main ingredients in chocolate truffles, there's an implication of a spoilage issue if truffles sit out at room temperature for an extended period.

Chocolate truffles are often presented as gifts as well because of their beauty, and if that's the current case, BBC Good Food advises putting each truffle inside a small lining of paper or foil (see the brown lining of Ferrero Rocher chocolates for reference) and then placing these in a gift box of your choice. The box should be stored in the refrigerator until it comes time to present your work of art.