Vegan, gluten free, easy, dark chocolate, and truffles. Need I say more? This is the best recipe for vegan chocolate truffles, made with coconut cream. It’s so simple, so delicious, and so beautiful that I think a batch of these vegan truffles would pretty much make the perfect gift (for yourself or someone else)!

I knew I wanted to try creating a vegan chocolate truffle recipe when I received a comment on my Easy Dark Chocolate Truffles asking me if the same recipe could be made with coconut milk. This recipe, made with coconut cream, is just as simple (if not more so), with fantastic workability and just 3 main ingredients.

Making vegan truffles

Coconut cream truffles have made the world of truffle making a whole new experience for me. 

When you make traditional chocolate truffles with regular cream, the consistency of the chocolate ganache (truffle filling) is much more soft, and can get pretty messy as you work with it, especially as the heat from your hands softens and melts the chocolate. This recipe, however, has a much stiffer consistency for working, while still maintaining its creamy texture and taste.

Since coconut fat melts at a much lower temperature than butter, I added a little cocoa to the recipe as well, just to stiffen the texture – which creates a better workability for the ganache. The result is more hardy, which makes it a simpler process overall. I call that a success!

Coconut cream vs coconut milk

Coconut cream is the fatty part of the coconut milk that separates from the liquid coconut water. You can purchase coconut cream already separated from the water in cans, or you can just scoop the separated, fatty milk off the top yourself. 

You may have purchased coconut milk in cans in the past that needs to be stirred back together in order to maintain a creamy “milk” consistency. The texture of the cream on top is thick, white, and fatty, and the coconut water on the bottom is liquidy and clear. 

Coconut milk that is already well mixed will have a more watery/milky texture and may not work as well for this recipe. Refrigerated coconut milk will not work the same way for these homemade truffles.

The best vegan chocolate to use

Any kind of good dark chocolate chips that are marked as vegan should work. For this tutorial, I used Kirkland chocolate chips (Costco brand), which (disclaimer) are labelled “May contain milk or wheat.” 

Since those two things are not listed in the actual product ingredients, however, I’m okay with the fact that the chocolate itself is vegan and gluten-free. If you’re dealing with allergies or other sensitive concerns, get the chocolate that seems best to you.

If you make this recipe with another brand of vegan chocolate chips, let me know in the comments! I’d love to know what worked for you. 

How are truffles made?

Truffle ganache (the smooth filling centre) can be made in a number of ways. Traditionally it is made with just melted chocolate and hot, heavy (whipping) cream. The mixture is chilled after it is blended together to set, and then it is shaped into balls (or scooped with a small cookie scoop) and typically covered with nuts, coconut, chocolate, or cocoa. 

If you want to get right to it, go ahead and check out the recipe (scroll down) to learn more! It may seem tricky, but honestly if you’re not coating them in melted chocolate… they are one of the simplest things on earth to make.

To make these easy vegan coconut cream truffles, I have chosen to roll my shaped truffles in toasted flaked coconut.

Additional toppings

If you prefer, you can also coat your truffles in melted vegan chocolate, thinned with a bit of food-grade paraffin wax. Check out this tutorial for the basics on how to to do this!

Since I have never coated my vegan chocolate truffles in a chocolate coating, I can’t recommend good chocolate bars or a brand of vegan chocolate pieces to use for coating. Let me know in the comments if you know of a great one! 

Here are a few ideas for other toppings to finish your truffles:

• Chopped peanuts
• ​Walnut pieces
• Almonds
• Other nuts
• Mini vegan chocolate chips
• Vegan chocolate savings
• Cocoa powder mixed with a bit of icing sugar
• Cacao nibs
• Crushed vegan cookies

Making different flavors

You can easily create different flavors of truffles by using food-grade essential oils. A few drops added to this recipe will give you just about any flavor your can imagine! 

You will need:

• Vegan chocolate chips
• Coconut Cream
• Cocoa Powder
• Unsweetened Shredded Coconut
• Frying pan
• Glass pyrex bowl
• Melon baller or mini ice cream scoop
• Wash cloth
• Parchment paper
• Wooden bowl (optional)

Printable Recipe:

Vegan truffles from scratch, step-by-step:

1 – Make the vegan chocolate ganache

To make the ganache, measure out the chocolate chips and cocoa powder into a small-medium sized glass mixing bowl. Set aside.

In a small saucepan over medium heat, heat the coconut cream until just beginning to boil. Pour over the chocolate chips and cocoa, and allow to sit for about 3 minutes.

Whisk the hot cream and chocolate until just combined. At this point, if there are still chunks in the chocolate that aren’t melting, place the bowl of ganache in the microwave for 10 seconds at full power. Continue whisking until smooth. Cover and refrigerate at least 2 hours or until cold.

2 – Toast the coconut 

In the meantime, put the coconut into a clean, dry frying pan. Toast over medium-high heat on the stove, stirring constantly, until the coconut is lightly toasted and fragrant. Remove from heat, and allow to cool.

3 – Shape the truffles

Once the ganache is cold, using a teaspoon or a melon baller, scoop the ganache out of the bowl (about 1 tablespoon per truffle), and using your fingertips, shape into rough balls on a piece of parchment paper or a plate lined with plastic wrap. 

If the truffles are too warm after you’re done working with them, stick them in the refrigerator for at least 20 minutes before moving on to the next step.

4 – Roll in toasted coconut

Roll the shaped truffles in toasted coconut, and enjoy! Store the finished truffles in the refrigerator in an air-tight container.

If you like this recipe, you may also like:

• Kiwi Honeydew Smoothie (w/vegan option)
• Strawberry Raspberry Smoothie Bowl (w/vegan option)
• Easy Milk Chocolate Truffles (regular)
• Easy White Chocolate Truffles (regular)

That’s all for today folks! I hope you enjoyed this recipe; making truffles is one of my favourite things, and I hope it becomes the same for you. I am convinced your life will be a little more joyful because of it.

Thanks for stopping in,

Naomi

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