Chocolate rum truffles (vegan rum truffles)

Chocolate rum truffles are indulgent rum truffle balls made using chocolate and banana and are a tasty treat or gift idea.

These homemade truffles are made without cream, are dairy free and do not contain added sugar. And as the ingredients are plant based they can be enjoyed by vegans too.

They are perfect for dessert or to enjoy with a cup of coffee. They are also a great homemade gift idea for Mother's Day, Valentines Day, birthdays, Easter or Christmas.

For other homemade edible gift ideas you might also like to make some chocolate coated dates, try this Italian and Portuguese inspired chocolate salami, make some white chocolate truffles or treat your valentine to some chocolate bark hearts.

The quantities in this easy truffle recipe are sufficient to make around 12 truffles.

Ingredients

• 150g plant based dark chocolate (suitable for melting), ideally minimum 70% cocoa content
• A few extra squares of chocolate to grate to coat the rum balls (around 5 squares or 40g) - or you could substitute cocoa powder.
• A medium sized banana.
• 1 teaspoon vanilla extract - or vanilla essence.
• 1 teaspoon rum.

How to prepare

Mash the banana in a bowl using a fork.

Add a teaspoon of vanilla extract (or vanilla essence) and a teaspoon of rum and mix together.

Melt the chocolate. This can either be done using the relevant setting on a microwave, or by placing the bowl of chocolate over a pan of hot water.

If melting in a microwave it is better to do this at low power and in short bursts of 30 seconds at a time to avoid the risk of the chocolate overheating. If melting the chocolate over hot water take care not to splash water onto the chocolate as this may affect its ability to melt to a smooth consistency.

When the chocolate has melted, add to the bowl with the banana, vanilla extract and rum and stir until mixed together.

Add the melted chocolate to the other ingredients and mix.

Place the truffle mixture in the fridge until it has thickened sufficiently to form into balls. This may take around a couple of hours.

Grate around 5 squares of chocolate onto a large plate.

Take a teaspoonful, roll into a ball, and then roll in the grated chocolate. Continue with the remainder of the mixture and then return the prepared truffles to the fridge.

Tips

1. Select a banana which is ready to eat, not too ripe and not underripe.
2. If melting the chocolate in a microwave, it is better to do this is short bursts, say 30 seconds at a time at low power, to avoid overheating and burning.
3. If melting the chocolate over a pan of hot water, take care not to splash water into the chocolate.
4. Store the prepared truffles in the fridge until ready to eat.
5. The truffles can be kept in the fridge for several days (although I usually find they are eaten fairly quickly!).

Other recipes for homemade gifts