Pin it
These elegant white chocolate treats feature real freeze-dried strawberries for a natural pink center. Each bite offers the perfect balance of sweet chocolate with bright berry flavor. The smooth ganache middle gets coated in creamy white chocolate for a fancy yet simple dessert. They started as a lucky experiment with leftover ingredients but turned into something truly special for celebrations.
What Makes These Special
You won't find any fake colors or flavors in these pink beauties. They get their gorgeous color and intense strawberry taste from freeze-dried fruit alone. The concentrated berry powder works magic with creamy white chocolate. Though they look like they took hours to make, they're actually quite simple to prepare at home, making them perfect for impressing guests without spending all day in the kitchen.
Key Ingredients
- Premium White Chocolate (225g for filling): Go for real cocoa butter varieties for smooth melting and rich taste.
- Heavy Cream (80ml): Need at least 35% fat to make your ganache set properly.
- Freeze-dried Strawberries (20g): Turn into powder and sift out seeds for the smoothest results.
- White Chocolate for Outer Layer (170g): More quality chocolate needed for dipping.
- Extra Freeze-dried Strawberries (10g): Broken up small for pretty topping.
- If You Want More Flavor: A drop of natural strawberry extract works wonders.
Step-by-Step Instructions
- Make Your Strawberry Dust
- Blitz freeze-dried strawberries in a food processor until they're super fine. Use a strainer to catch any seeds for the smoothest texture possible.
- Mix Your Base
- Warm cream until it's almost bubbling (82°C/180°F). Pour it over finely cut white chocolate and wait 2 minutes before you stir until smooth.
- Add Strawberry Flavor
- Gently mix strawberry powder into your warm mixture until it's evenly pink throughout.
- Let It Set
- Put plastic wrap right on the surface and stick it in the fridge for 3-4 hours or leave it overnight until it's firm enough to handle.
- Shape Your Treats
- Scoop out small portions and roll them into balls. Put them back in the fridge for 15 minutes between batches.
- Add Chocolate Coating
- Properly melt white chocolate for dipping. Coat each ball completely, let extra drip off, then quickly sprinkle with strawberry bits.
Expert Tricks for Success
Watch your temperatures carefully from start to finish. Keep your ganache around 18-20°C (65-68°F) when you're rolling it into balls. Don't let white chocolate get hotter than 32°C (90°F) or it'll break down. Cool your plates in the fridge first so the coating hardens fast. Try weighing each portion or using the same size scoop for even truffles. Work with small amounts at a time and keep the rest cold between batches.
Presentation and Service
Put your finished truffles in little paper cups inside a nice box or on a pretty plate. Mix whole ones with cut-in-half ones to show off the pink centers. They look amazing next to fresh strawberries or decorative flowers for parties. Don't serve them straight from the fridge - take them out 10-15 minutes early so they warm up slightly and taste even better.
Storage and Shelf Life
Keep your truffles in the fridge in a sealed container and they'll stay fresh for 7-10 days. Want to make them way ahead of time? You can freeze the centers without chocolate coating for up to 2 months if you wrap them well. When you're ready, just move them to the fridge overnight before dipping them. Let them sit at room temp for a bit before eating so they're not too cold.
Frequently Asked Questions
- → What causes ganache to break?
It can happen if the cream is overly hot or stirred too fast. Smooth it out using an immersion blender.
- → Any tricks for rolling?
If it's sticky, chill it longer. If it's too stiff, let it soften. Get it just right for easy handling.
- → How do you coat them well?
Keep melted chocolate warm and smooth. Shake off extra chocolate quickly before it hardens.
- → Why does setting time differ?
It depends on the ganache's temperature and how much you're working with. It should feel firm before rolling.
- → How should I store them?
Keep these refrigerated and serve at room temperature. They're perfect to prepare ahead for parties or gifts.
Conclusion
Put together heavenly strawberry-flavored white chocolate balls with just three easy ingredients. Lovely for events or gifts.