Mexican chocolate truffles -- and spicy chocolate truffles in general -- have been growing in popularity over the years. These Mayan Chocolate Truffles are a sweet and spicy combination that's incredibly delicious.
My whole family loves Mexican food, so a while ago we had a fun dinner party that was a Mexican food fest of sorts, and it was a whopping success!
(I've listed our delicious menu below.)
It was absolutely lovely -- I think everyone left happy and full. These Spicy Mayan Chocolate Truffles were one of the desserts.
They were gone almost as quickly as I set the platter down on the table. I love when that happens -- as long as I get my share, that is.
The timeless Mayan combination of chilies, spices, and chocolate has seduced food lovers for thousands of years. So of course it makes sense that we love spicy chocolate truffles.
What do they taste like?
They have a fiery bite and a creamy, rich sweetness.
Mexican chocolate truffles are also the perfect Valentine's Day dessert! 
I was going to decorate the Mexican chocolate truffles with white chocolate, but the red sugar in the pantry caught my eye.
It was an obvious choice, because it would add perfectly to the "red-hot" flavor!
If you are loving the idea of Mexican chocolate truffles, you might also love a little heat in your hot chocolate.
If so, you'll go crazy for this cozy Spicy Mayan Hot Chocolate -- especially on a chilly afternoon . . . . with a blanket on the sofa. 😉
Enjoy every last one of these spicy chocolate truffles!
Recipe Tips and Substitutions
- If you love chocolate, but want to skip the heat, you can! Just don't add the cayenne pepper, or add less.
- And if you want to keep it pure, you can also leave out the cinnamon.
- If you're going to add any sprinkles, do so immediately after dipping the truffles -- they have to be a bit wet for them to stick.
- You can make the ganache up to four days ahead of time.
- You can melt the chocolate and dip the truffles up to eight hours ahead of time, and at least three hours ahead.
Our Mexican Food Fest Menu
An (Almost) Classic Bloody Mary
Roasted Poblano Guacamole and Tomato Poblano Salsa
(Served with my all time favorite Chicas Corn Chips)
Mexican Chopped Salad with Honey-Chipotle Lime Dressing
Puerco en Salsa Verde
Spicy Mayan Chocolate Truffles
Spicy Mayan Chocolate Truffles Reicpe
* Please note that the majority of the prep time is refrigeration time.
Ingredients
- 1½ pounds bittersweet chocolate, finely chopped
- ¾ cup heavy cream
- 2 teaspoon vanilla extract
- ½ teaspoon cayenne pepper
- 1 teaspoon ground cinnamon
- red sugar for decoration
Instructions
- Remove 12 ounces of the chocolate and place it in a medium-sized mixing bowl. Set aside.
- In a medium-sized saucepan, scald the cream with the vanilla. Tiny bubbles will appear on the edges of the pan, and it should be very hot, but not boiling.
- Pour the hot cream over the 12-ounces of chocolate and let stand for 4 minutes. Use a spoon to stir to blend and set aside. This mixture is called ganache. Gently stir in the cayenne and cinnamon. Let it come to room temperature, cover with plastic wrap and chill in the refrigerator until it becomes completely firm, at least 6 hours.
- Cover two baking sheets with parchment paper and, in a double boiler, melt the remaining 12-ounces of chocolate.
- Remove the firm ganache from the refrigerator and use a 1-inch cookie scoop to scoop out about 5 dozen truffles, placing them on one of the parchment-covered baking sheets. Now place the shaped truffles in the refrigerator for at least 30 minutes.
- Using a fork, carefully dip each truffle into the melted chocolate to coat it evenly and place them on the other parchment covered baking sheet. You can use a small knife to help you remove the covered truffle from the fork. The truffles will set at room temperature. If desired, sprinkle them with red sugar when they are about halfway set.
- Once set, you can put the truffles in paper truffle cups.
NOTES
NUTRITION
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A Simons
I have made these so many times as they are always well received and after someone has had them, they become a requested item the next time I say I’m brining truffles.
Instead of dusting the top with red sugar, I used a little of the cinnamon/cayenne mixture.
Valentina
Hi! Thank you so much for sharing this. I'm so happy these truffles are a hit for you, and I love that you dusted them with the spices -- great idea! 🙂 ~Valentina
Alex G
I can’t believe I haven’t rated these yet, I’ve made them at least half a dozen times. These truffles are delicious. They’re not too spicy, but have a little kick at the end so they’re good for everyone to enjoy. I’ve had them dipped in chocolate as well as tossed in coco powder and they’re great both ways. Plus they are SO easy to make. Instead of rolling them, I pour the mixture into a silicone mold and freeze before dipping. It allows me to get perfectly uniform chocolates. Yum yum
valentina
Hi Alex. Thanks so much for writing in, I really appreciate it. And I'm so happy you love this recipe! And what excellent tip for everyone (and me!) about using the silicone mold. Thank you for that. Wishing you a delightful holiday season and a very happy new year. 🙂 ~Valentina
Michelle
I'm going to make the truffles today, but I live in Germany and can't get heavy cream Can I use mascarpone instead, or normal whipping cream?
Thank you!
valentina
Hi Michelle! Regular whipping cream will be best. Enjoy and happy holidays! 🙂 ~Valentina
David Scott Allen
Ugh. I still need some small ice cream scoops for this and making cookies.
valentina
In your recent (and beautiful) pear dessert, it looked like your little scoops of ice cream came from a tiny cookie scoop?
Whitney
How spicy are these? My partner and I often eat spicy chocolate, but he always complains that it isn't spicy enough! I want to make these for him for Christmas, wondering if I should add more cayenne or maybe chili powder? They look delicious!
valentina
Hi Whitney, Thanks for writing in. I would say to add a bit more of the cayenne if he loves spicy. That said, first I'd use the 1/2 teaspoon and taste -- when the filling mixture is at room temp. before you refrigerate it. That's the perfect time to add more if you think it's not spicy enough. (A little cayenne goes a long way, so if you're adding it, add a very tiny bit at a time, and keep tasting until it's how you want it.) I hope this helps. Enjoy, and happy holiday season. 🙂 ~Valentina
mimi rippee
Oh goodness! These look good! I don't know how I missed them before. I'm not very good with precise cooking, like dipping and decorating and whatnot, but I will keep this recipe. They're just too pretty!
valentina
Thanks, Mimi. Doesn't matter what they look like -- as long as you think they're delicious. 😉 ~Valentina
Gerlinde
These truffles are divine, the cayenne pepper will give them a real kick.
valentina
Thanks so much Gerlinde. I hope you try them. The spice heat with the sweet chocolate is great. 🙂
John / Kitchen Riffs
These look wonderful! Spicy and chocolate really go together. Black pepper also combines exceptionally well with chocolate -- worth trying, if you don't already know that combo. Good stuff -- thanks.
valentina
Thanks so much, John. I've had dark chocolate with black pepper and lemon, and it was fabulous!
David
Why, yes please! These sound perfect for my valentine!