Chocolate Truffle Bars

(Serves 12)

One of my favorite things to make around the holidays are chocolate truffles.  They’re always very impressive and the coatings can be customized for any taste.  These bars take the best of a truffle and translate it into bar form making them a bit faster and easier to make.  They have a simple pastry crust, a layer of chocolate ganache, and can be topped however you like.  See some other flavors below, the sky truly is the limit. These are also a great recipe to make with young kids.  They can stir the chocolate, sprinkle on the toppings, help press the dough into the pan, and of course the best part – lick the spoon. 

You Will Need:

Chocolate Truffle Bars

Ingredients:

Crust:

• 1 cup all-purpose flour
• 1/3 cup butter, softened
• ¼ cup sugar

Chocolate ganache:

• 1 ½ cups bittersweet chocolate chips
• ½ cup heavy cream
• 1 teaspoon vanilla extract

Topping:

• 1/3 cup chopped pistachios

Instructions:

• Preheat oven to 350 degrees and line an 8×8” pan with parchment paper, allowing it to hang over the edges.
• Beat the butter and sugar together with an electric mixer until fluffy.  Slowly add flour and mix until crumbly. 
• Press the dough into the bottom of the pan as evenly as possible.  Using a flat-bottomed drinking glass can help.
• Bake for 15 minutes, until the edges just start to get slightly golden.
• Set crust aside and allow to cool completely.
• Place the chocolate chips in a medium bowl.  Heat the cream in a small saucepan over medium heat until just simmering/bubbling slightly at the edges.
• Pour the cream over the chocolate chips and let sit for 10 minutes. 
• After 10 minutes, stir the chocolate and cream together.  Start with a rubber spatula to combine the cream and chocolate.  Then whisk until smooth. 
• Once smooth, stir in the vanilla.  Pour the chocolate over the cooled crust and spread into an even layer. 
• Let sit for about 5 minutes, then top with the chopped nuts.  Lay a piece of plastic wrap over the top and lightly press the nuts into the chocolate to help them adhere.  Remove the plastic and allow the bars to set up completely in the refrigerator, for at least 2 hours.
• The bars are best when allowed to come to room temp before cutting and serving.