Spicy Chocolate Almond Truffles with Cumin and Cinnamon

Spicy Chocolate Almond Truffles with Cumin and Cinnamon offer a delightful blend of sweet, savory, and spicy flavors that create a unique and delectable treat. This recipe combines the rich taste of dark chocolate and almond butter with a spice mix including cumin, cinnamon, and a hint of cayenne to deliver an extraordinary burst of flavors. Soaked raisins and pumpkin seeds add an intriguing texture, while the use of soy sauce provides an unexpected umami twist. These truffles are perfect for anyone who appreciates complex tastes and intricate subtleties. Enjoy them as a sophisticated dessert or a gourmet snack to surprise your guests. Whether you're a spice enthusiast or a chocolate lover, these truffles cater to diverse palates by offering a combination that's both luxurious and exciting. They're relatively simple to make, yet boldly stand out on any sweets platter. Perfect for a special occasion or just a treat-yourself moment, the spicy chocolate almond truffles are a fusion of unexpected ingredients that perfectly harmonize to delight your taste buds.

Ingredients

Main Ingredients

• 270 g almond butter
• 250 g melted dark chocolate (at least 75% cocoa)
• 70 g pumpkin seeds
• 90 g raisins + 100 g water for soaking
• 60 ml maple syrup or honey
• 1 tbsp tamari soy sauce

Spices

• 1.5 tsp ground cumin
• 1 tbsp cinnamon
• 4 small dried red chili peppers
• A pinch of ground cayenne pepper
• 1.5 tsp vanilla extract
• 1/4 tsp ground nutmeg

Preparation Time

Total Time: 110 minutes (including prep and cook time)

Step-by-Step Instruction

1. Soak the raisins and chili peppers: Place raisins and chili peppers with their seeds into a bowl of water. Let them soak for at least 4 hours, or preferably overnight.
2. Drain the raisins: Once soaked, strain the raisins, removing any chili seeds from the water.
3. Combine ingredients: In a blender or food processor, add all the ingredients except for the dark chocolate.
4. Add raisins and chili: Follow by adding the soaked raisins and a small amount of the red chili depending on your spice preference.
5. Blend to a smooth paste: Gradually pour in some of the soaking water from the raisins and chili as you blend the mixture to a smooth, sticky, and moist dough.
6. Transfer the mixture: Move the sticky truffle mass to a mixing bowl and combine it with the melted dark chocolate, mixing until everything is thoroughly incorporated.
7. Chill the mixture: Cover the bowl with cling film and refrigerate for about 1 to 2 hours until the mixture firms up.
8. Shape the truffles: Remove the mixture from the fridge and roll into small truffle balls.
9. Coat with flavors: Optionally, roll the truffles in cocoa powder, ground cumin, or other preferred spices for additional flavor.
10. Serve: Enjoy the truffles immediately or store them in an airtight container in the fridge for a later treat.

Tips

• Substitute Ingredients: You can replace almond butter with your favorite nut butter.
• Adjust Spiciness: Modify the chili and cayenne pepper quantities to suit your spice tolerance.
• Storage: Store the truffles in an airtight container to maintain their freshness and texture.

Nutritions

• Calories: Approximately 150 per truffle
• Protein: 3g
• Fats: 10g
• Carbs: 12g

Variations

• Vegan Option: Use vegan dark chocolate and maple syrup for a completely vegan version.
• Nut-Free: Substitute almond butter with a sunflower seed butter for those with nut allergies.

Serving Suggestions

• Garnishes: Sprinkle additional cocoa powder or garnished with crushed nuts for added texture.
• Pairings: Serve with a cup of coffee or tea for a delightful afternoon break.

Best Places

1. Café Chocolate Amsterdam - Known for their exquisite artisan chocolates and truffle variety. Location: Warmoesstraat 69, Amsterdam, Netherlands.
2. L.A. Burdick Handmade Chocolates - Offers a delightful selection of chocolate products, including unique truffles. Location: 52 Brattle St, Cambridge, MA, USA.
3. Pierre Hermé Paris - Famous for luxurious truffles amid a selection of gourmet chocolates. Location: 86 Av. des Champs-Élysées, Paris, France.
4. Teuscher Zurich - Offers a renowned blend of Swiss chocolates and truffles. Location: Bahnhofstrasse 46, Zürich, Switzerland.
5. Bonnat Chocolate - Distinctive for single-origin cocoa chocolates and incredible truffles. Location: 8 Rue Hector Berlioz, Voiron, France.
6. Richart Paris - Known for gourmet truffles, incorporating modern and regional chocolate techniques. Location: 258 Bd Saint-Germain, Paris, France.
7. La Maison du Chocolat - Offers a refined selection of exquisite truffles and pralines. Location: 10 Bd de la Madeleine, Paris, France.
8. Godiva Chocolatier - Famous for a rich variety of truffle flavors. Location: Grand Place 22, Brussels, Belgium.
9. Debauve & Gallais - Historically inspired chocolates with an intriguing blend of truffles. Location: 30 Rue des Saints-Pères, Paris, France.
10. Paul A Young Fine Chocolates - Known for unique truffle variations and innovative flavor combinations. Location: 33 Camden Passage, London, UK.