The Best Chocolate Truffles

Buying Guide for Chocolate Truffles

Why buy chocolate truffles?

There are almost endless different types of chocolates and candies to choose from, yet chocolate truffles are among the most recognizable and well-loved sorts. They’re known for their creamy filling, being small enough to consume in a single bite, and being often (though not exclusively) round in shape. This makes them popular for snacking, especially truffles that come individually wrapped. They’re a handy way to satisfy a craving for chocolate and sweetness in smaller or more moderate amounts—no need to bake an entire cake or devour an entire bag of candy. You can easily grab one or two of the boxes or bags and save the rest for later. Beyond this factor, many people enjoy truffles because of the variety they provide. For example, a box of six truffles may come with six different flavors. They can also be topped with drizzled chocolate, cocoa powder, sea salt, sprinkles, and more, allowing you to enjoy different flavors and textures in a single box or bag.

What should you look for in chocolate truffles?

• Chocolate Base: What’s your favorite type of chocolate? Are you are milk, dark, or white chocolate kind of person? Bittersweet or semi-sweet? Chocolate truffles come in all three types, sometimes even a combination; it’s not uncommon to see milk chocolate truffles drizzled with dark chocolate on top, for example. And if you buy your truffles in a set or box (as is common), you may have the choice of every truffle being made from the same base chocolate or some assortment of two or all three different types.
• Flavors: During your search, look for chocolate truffles with distinct flavors that will stand out. Sure, plain milk, dark, and white chocolate are common, but quality ingredients or unique textures can make you feel like you are trying them for the first time. Truffles sprinkled, flavored, and/or filled with wafers, nuts, fruits, rice crisps, or more unusual ingredients can surprise and delight those with traditional tastes.
• Quantity: Since truffles are bite-sized, they’re rarely sold individually unless you walk into a specialty chocolate shop and specifically request such (which may garner some odd looks). Due to their small size, truffles are often sold in large boxes, bags, or sets, usually of at least 20-something or more. Larger quantity sets are easier to find, though smaller ones, with only six or eight or so truffles, are out there too.

What’s the difference between chocolate truffles and regular chocolate?

A truffle is more than just a bite-sized piece of chocolate, despite what you might think. By definition, a chocolate truffle is a chocolate ganache (the soft and creamy chocolate filling) inside a harder chocolate outer coating or shell. Other flavors can be mixed in with the creamy chocolate center, but if there’s no chocolate ganache in the center, it’s not technically a truffle. Thus the little drugstore chocolates filled solely with caramel or coconut are technically not truffles.

Our Picks for the Best Chocolate Truffles

Pros: It’s hard to go wrong with classic milk chocolate truffles, and these 5.1-ounce bags are both tasty and plentiful. Each individually wrapped chocolate truffle is made with Lindt’s secret recipe and is formed into a chocolate shell that protects a smooth, creamy center that melts in your mouth. These chocolates are made from Criollo and Trinitario cocoa beans, providing a premium taste in each truffle. You get six bags with your purchase, each with 60 pieces of chocolate, so you get a good supply of truffles for yourself, sharing, or gift-giving. If you want a little extra flavor beyond just chocolate, there are 11 other varieties from which to choose.

Cons: Since these truffles come in a bag rather than a box, they have a higher chance of bumping together than those shipped in boxes with individual compartments. There’s a chance that some of the truffles may arrive broken, cracked, or melted as a result.

Bottom Line: These six bags of milk chocolate Lindt Lindor truffles are ideal for sharing with loved ones or giving as a gift. With 60 pieces per bag and a classic milk chocolate flavor that’s oh-so-smooth, these truffles are meant to be enjoyed, no matter the occasion.

 

Pros: For the classic chocolate lover wanting something with a twist and some crunchiness, Ferrero Rocher truffles feature a whole hazelnut inside the wafer-based chocolate-covered treat. This box also contains a dark chocolate version of the original truffle for those who prefer a deep cocoa taste. An adventurous chocolate connoisseur will enjoy the Raffaello, which includes a white almond covered in coconut flakes. With elegant wrappers and organized packaging, this variety box is excellent for gifting or displaying for guests; each truffle is individually wrapped and nestled in its compartment in the box for extra protection.

Cons: Between the hazelnut and wafer present in each truffle, they aren’t as allergen-friendly as others. Unfortunately, anyone who has a nut allergy or follows a gluten-free diet won’t be able to eat these truffles.

Bottom Line: Ferrero Rocher chocolate truffles are known for their unique flavors, special ingredient combinations, and just the right amount of crunch. Between the variety and aesthetically pleasing presentation, these truffles are perfect for sharing with the whole family or placing out for guests to nibble on during parties.

 

Pros: The intense, deep flavor of the Lindt Lindor Dark Chocolate Truffles will please those with a more sophisticated palate. The classic sphere shape of the Lindt Lindor truffles combined with the smooth center is a far cry from the often stiff and powdery chocolates that feature larger amounts of cocoa in their recipes. You get a pound and a half of extra dark, 60% cocoa truffles (60 in total) with your purchase, and they come individually wrapped in a box that can be used to display them nicely on your countertop or tabletop. The high-quality dark chocolate is kosher-friendly, and if you like your chocolate dark, there’s also an even darker (70% cocoa) version available.

Cons: As is often the case with truffles that aren’t boxed in individual compartments, there’s a chance that the chocolates will bump into each other or get pressed together, which can lead to them melting, cracking, breaking, or becoming misshapen.

Bottom Line: Not everyone is a fan of milk chocolate or super sweet chocolate, which is where these truffles come in. The rich, indulgent experience of these dark chocolate truffles satisfies a sugar craving without an overly sweet taste.

 

Pros: Another great option for anyone who prefers pure dark chocolate truffles over any other type, these TRUFF Chocmod Truffettes de France are shaped into bite-sized chunks of chocolate that are the ideal treat for a quick sugar fix. Each chocolate’s surface is lightly dusted with cocoa powder to add a touch of pleasant bitterness to the rich, sweet truffle for a much more complex and subtle flavor than many other truffles provide. Even with the layer of cocoa powder, these truffles are still rich and creamy and will melt in your mouth but not your hand. The elegant gold packaging makes them another great option for gifting to the chocolate lover in your life.

Cons: These truffles are quite expensive for chocolate, even considering the high quantity. And while the cocoa powder adds a nice flavoring, some consumers found the texture too gritty.

Bottom Line: These French delights place you right in the streets of Paris with their elegant gold packaging and divine chocolate flavor. Whether you are picnicking next to the Eiffel Tower or grabbing a snack at the office, these chocolate truffles are sure to satisfy you.

 

Pros: If you’re after a smaller box of truffles, you’re in luck. This box of six dark chocolate truffles from Godiva is perfect for someone who wants to indulge their sweet tooth but doesn’t want the temptation of several dozen truffles lying around. Even though each truffle’s base is dark chocolate and there are only six truffles per box, you get excellent variety. Each of the six truffles has a different flavoring or coating; no two are exactly alike. And each one is rich, sweet, and creamy— precisely as you’d expected from such a well-known and trusted chocolatier. If you like these truffles enough to order them in a larger box or want to give them as a gift, there are 12- and 24-packs available for purchase as well.

Cons: Even by truffle standards, these little chocolates are quite small. So the price tag is relatively expensive for the amount of chocolate you receive, especially since you get so few truffles in the box.

Bottom Line: Made by one of the worldwide leaders in chocolate, you know you’re getting tasty, quality chocolate when you order from Godiva. And you won’t have to feel guilty about eating the entire box of truffles in one go since the quantity is so small.

 

Pros: It’s hard to go wrong with a box of chocolate truffles as a gift, no matter the occasion, and this box of truffles can be appreciated by just about anyone. Not only do you get a box of assorted truffles in several tasty flavors, including milk fudge and salted caramel, but these chocolates are also allergy-friendly, vegan, and free from artificial colors and flavors.

Cons: Some of the flavors, like raspberry and coffee, and white chocolate, may not be appealing to all taste buds. There also aren’t plain truffles, so this may not be the best box if your loved one has a particular palate. They’re also a bit pricier than some other truffles.

Bottom Line: Chocolates are a time-honored gift that never goes out of style. This heart box of assorted truffles was specifically made for gifting and treating, even if your intended recipient has a common food allergy or dietary restriction.

Final Thoughts

Whether you want to indulge your sweet tooth without going overboard or you want to give a gift to a friend or loved one, you can’t go wrong with a good box or bag of truffles. With so many varieties and flavors available, there’s sure to be a type that satisfies every chocolate lover.