Now that Father's Day is just around the corner here in the UK, thoughts in the Only Crumbs Remain kitchen have largely centred around what to treat my Dad with this year. In previous years we've made him a Bavarian Slice, homemade Fig Rolls, and even a scrummy chocolate & cherry cake which I really need to share here.
Knowing how much Dad enjoys coffee centred chocolates it was the perfect opportunity to hone my chocolate tempering skills. Now, I have to admit that these chocolates weren't exactly perfect, but I had great fun in practicing! Well, we are talking chocolate! Despite their small flaws they were thoroughly enjoyed, being as nice if not nicer than the mass produced confectionary bought in shops.
I have to admit that tempering chocolate does need a bit of precision, as well as patience. I've learnt a lot about tempering chocolate and the issues like blooming from experience over time this article by is The Chocolate Doctor is useful reading and I have a whole post on how to temper chocolate properly here.
As I've already mentioned, what's not to love about working with chocolate, so please don't let the science around tempering chocolate put you off trying these homemade coffee cream chocolates, or if you prefer nut centres these hazelnut noisettes or our hazelnut caramel chocolates.
These homemade coffee cream chocolates are definitely worth the effort. The milk chocolate shell is filled with a smooth coffee flavoured chocolate ganache. They certainly pack a punch, a good punch, making them the perfect gift for coffee lovers.
Now, I tailored these coffee flavoured chocolates to my dad's taste. He loves the creamy frothy yumminess of cappachinos, often ordering one when we're out. As a result I made these handmade chocolates with milk, rather than dark, chocolate. However if you're the sort of person who enjoys expressos and stronger coffees in general, then feel free to substitute the milk chocolate for a dark chocolate which will certainly bring even more punch to the confectionary.
So, here's how to make Homemade Coffee Cream Chocolates
📖 Recipe
Homemade Coffee Cream Chocolate
Ingredients
For the Chocolate Shell
- 350 g milk chocolate or if you prefer dark chocolate see note e below for tempering temperatures
For the Coffee Ganache Filling
- 60 ml double cream
- 1 – 1½ teaspoon instant coffee granules
- 60 g milk chocolate or dark chocolate if you prefer
Instructions
- Ensure the mould is thoroughly clean and dry, paying particular attention to the ‘corners’ and edges of the mould’s design.
- Prepare to temper the chocolate. Have a large baking tray, tea towel or square of kitchen roll, a ladle or spoon, and sharp knife to hand.
- Begin to temper the chocolate. Break the 350g chocolate into a heatproof glass bowl. Build a bain marie by suspending the bowl over a pan containing some water, ensuring the water doesn’t touch the base of the bowl. Place the bain marie on the hob over a low – moderate heat. Allow the chocolate to start to melt. Stir the chocolate making a note of the temperature. Melt the milk chocolate to 46℃ / 115℉. Be careful not to take it any higher than this temperature as it could soon seize and become unworkable!
- Cool the chocolate. Remove the glass bowl from the bain marie and sit it on the tea towel / kitchen roll. Stir the chocolate watching the temperature. You’re aiming for it to reduce to 26℃ / 80℉. This will take at least 10 minutes.
- Reheat the chocolate. Return the bowl of chocolate to the bain marie. Continue to stir and monitor the temperature. You’re aiming for it to increase to 30℃ / 86℉. The chocolate is now tempered. Remove the bowl from the heat and sit it in the baking tray you have at your work station.
- Fill the chocolate mould. Use a ladle or large spoon to pour chocolate into the prepared chocolate mould. Once completely full tap the chocolate mould on the work surface to try to dispell any air pockets in the chocolate. Tip the mould upside down over the bowl of melted chocolate to remove the excess chocolate. Give it a shake allowing the excess to drip out. Return the mould the right way round and return to the work surface. Run the sharp knife over the top of the mould to remove excess chocolate. This will neaten the edges of the chocolates and make it easier to remove them from the mould later. Check that all of the surfaces have been completely covered in chocolate. Touch it up with a little more as necessary. Remove the spoon and thermometer from the chocolate (it’ll set into the chocolate if you don’t!) and clean them ready for later.
- Set aside to firm up. Set the chocolate mould aside for at least an hour whilst it firms up. Make the coffee ganache. Use a sharp knife to break up the 60g chocolate into small pieces. Place it into a bowl. Pour the cream into a small pan. Set over a low heat on the hob. Add the coffee granuals. Allow the coffee to dissolve as the cream heats up. Stir thoroughly. Once the cream is hot, though not boiling, pour it over the broken chocolate pieces. Stir thoroughly until it is smooth, shiny and completely combined. Set aside to cool a little.
- Fill with the ganache (see notes c & d below). Once the chocolate in the mould has completely set and the ganache has cooled put half of the ganache into a piping bag (no nozzle required). Cut off the tip of the piping bag and pipe the filling into the chocolate shells. Aim to fill them no more than two-thirds full. Set aside for the ganache to firm up.
- Cover with more chocolate. Reheat the remaining chocolate over the bain marie until it reaches 30℃ / 86℉. If the chocolate hasn’t completely melted at this point, or the temperature goes above 30℃ / 86℉ re-temper it as before. Spoon some of the melted chocolate over the ganache. Ensure that each chocolate mould is completely covered. Use the sharp knife to scrape away the excess.
- Set aside. Set the chocolates aside to firm up.
- Turn out. Once the chocolate has completely set turn the chocolates out. Wiggle the silicone mould to gently loosen them. Position the mould upside down over a clean tea towel or piece of kitchen roll. Gently push one of the silicone shapes to remove the chocolate. Repeat with the remaining chocolates.
- Enjoy!
Notes
- Digital Sugar / Chocolate Thermometer
- Long Sharp Knife / Pallet Knife
- Chocolate Mould
Emma Charlotte @ PhD says
Awesome. I believe that your tutorial will make me able to make a homemade coffee cream chocolates to serve my family and friends and let them to have a kind of new taste.
Angela - Only Crumbs Remain says
Thankyou Emma, I hope you have a lot of success with making homemade chocolates. Do let me know how you get on if you give chocolate making a go.
Angela x
Lathiya says
Love those cute little chocolates..nice addition of coffee
Angela - Only Crumbs Remain says
Thankyou Lathiya, coffee is such a popular flavour and goes so well with chocolate too 🙂
Angela x
Kay says
These sound delicious! I love anything which is a combination of chocolate and coffee! A match made in heaven!
Angela - Only Crumbs Remain says
Thankyou so much Kay, I know my dad thoroughly enjoyed them 🙂
Angela x
Recipes Made Easy says
Coffee filled chocolates my absolute favourite. milk white or dark chocolate I could easily scoff the lot! Thank you for sharing on #CookBlogShare
Angela - Only Crumbs Remain says
Hahaha, My dad had the same opinion Jacqui!
Angela x
Corina says
I love all the chocolates you've been making recently Angela! They look so professional and as a coffee chocolate lover these would be perfect for me as I prefer milk to dark chocolate, even though I like a good strong coffee. Thanks for sharing with #CookOnceEatTwice x
Angela - Only Crumbs Remain says
Aw thabkyou Corina, my dad thoroughly enjoyed them too - they soon disappeared!
Thanks for your lovely comment,
Angela x
Deepika|TheLoveOfCakes says
Tempering chocolates is a bit intimidating because of the technique.. But I the fact that I can customize them to my liking makes me want to try this��.. Chocolate and coffee is such a great combination.. These chocolates look so sinful and delicious.. Yum��
Angela - Only Crumbs Remain says
Ooh don't feel intinmidated by it Deepika. I'd definitely recommend having a go, after all if it doesn't temper properly it'll still be edible so there's nothing lost! Right? 🙂
Thanks for your lovely comment too,
Angela x
Anca says
They sound perfect. Coffee and chocolate, that is my idea of a perfect treat. x
Angela - Only Crumbs Remain says
Aw thankyou Anca,
Angela x
Monika Dabrowski says
What a perfect Father's Day treat! I love desserts with coffee in them and chocolate with coffee sounds yummy. #CookBlogShare
Angela - Only Crumbs Remain says
Thankyou Monika, coffee and chocolate rocks!
Angela x