As Valentine’s Day approaches, every store advertises the “perfect” gift for your someone special or secret admirer. Yet, those items are usually involve some sort of jewel, making it extremely expensive, or have weird tasting centers that get spit out in napkins. Gifts from the heart are treasured most, but you already gave your loved one handmade photo albums, scarves, school wood shop projects, and ceramic creations for the past five holidays. So you may ask, “what is left for me to give?” Well, I have the answer: handmade chocolate truffles!

 You may be thinking, “I’m not a chef! Truffles sound too complicated for my cereal-making skills.” But do not fear, for truffle making is quite easy if you have the time and patience to dedicate to making these tasty treats.

To first craft these decadent chocolate treats, gather the following ingredients below (makes 42 truffles):

–       1 cup whipping cream

–       12 ounces semisweet chocolate, chopped

–       4 tablespoons unsalted butter, cut into small pieces

–       2-3 pounds semisweet chocolate

–       (Makes 42 truffles)

To begin the truffle making process, you will first create a gnash, which will become the center of the truffle. In a medium saucepan, heat the cream until in begins to simmer. Add the chocolate (the 12 oz) and butter into the pan until it combines into a smooth mixture. Set the pan aside and let it cool briefly.

In stores, truffles come in packages of assorted flavors, so at this time, you can divide the gnash into three (or more) bowls to create different centers. To personalize the truffles, an option is picking your valentines favorite flavors (espresso, coconut, and walnut are just some examples).

After adding in your flavors of choice, pour the mixtures onto an undressed cookie sheet and chill it in the refrigerator for freezer until it is quite firm.

Using a spoon or melon-ball cutter, scoop of the gnash and roll it into one-inch balls (use a light, quick touch when rolling the truffles).

 Again, refrigerate the centers of the truffles until they are hard (it will take about one to two hours).

To create the outside of the truffle, melt the 2-3 pounds of chocolate in a bowl. From there, take the hard centers and dip each one into the melted chocolate. Like with the centers of the truffles, I recommend to use three different types of chocolate to cover the balls (dark, milk, and white chocolate). Having the different chocolate shells on the outside of these delicacies gives them a professional appearance and taste variety.

 After dipping the truffles, place them onto a wax-paper-covered cookie sheet. Let the shells cool until they are hard if you want to drizzle chocolate on top, or for Valentine’s Day flair, roll the truffles in pink and red colored sugar or Valentine’s Day themed sprinkles while they are still wet.

Once cool, place the truffles in small muffin-like paper wrappers and put them into a special box.

Unlike store bought gifts, these truffles will melt your sweetheart’s heart and satisfy their taste buds as you impress them with your culinary skills.