It’s no surprise this week’s topic is using hops in food, as those are two of my favorite things so I might as well combine them. Today I came across a very interesting recipe for Dark Chocolate Truffles made with hops. I found it on http://www.celebrationgeneration.com‘s blog.  Enjoy!

Hop Flavored Dark Chocolate Truffles

12 oz Hershey Special Dark chips
3/4 cup heavy whipping cream
6 dried hop cones, crushed (we used Centennial)*
3 tbsp butter
2 tbsp sugar
Cocoa – We used Hershey’s Special Dark

Place chocolate chips into a glass mixing bowl, and set aside.

On stovetop, bring heavy whipping cream, hop cones, and butter to a light simmer. Remove from heat, allow to steep for 10 minutes. Once steeping time is complete, bring to just a simmer again.

Strain hot cream mixture into bowl of chocolate chips, discarding hop cones/leaves. Let sit for 3-5 minutes. Starting in the middle of the bowl, slowly start stirring the chocolate and cream until all of the chocolate is melted the cream disappeared into it – it should be smooth.

Cover with plastic wrap, preferrably resting right on top of the surface – this prevents a skin from forming while it cools. Chill in the fridge for at least an hour or two, until it’s pretty solid. Once solid, scoop out small balls (a teaspoon or so), and roll them into balls. Try to handle the chocolate as quickly as possible, or it will melt. Then, roll them in cocoa and eat them!

* Hops can vary wildly in size and flavor. Be sure to taste as you go – you may not want to use the whole 10 minute steeping time. If you don’t have access to whole dried hop cones, you can use 1/4 tsp – 1/2 tsp of hop pellets! It doesn’t take much, so your next batch of homebrew won’t miss it!