FRAN COSTIGAN

Queen of Vegan Desserts

  • FRAN COSTIGAN
  • MEET FRAN
  • APPLAUSE
  • SERVICES
  • EVENTS
  • BOOKS
  • RECIPES
  • VIDEOS
  • BLOG
  • RESOURCES
  • CONTACT

December 23, 2015 by Fran Costigan 8 Comments

Vegan Chocolate Orange Sesame Truffles

Chocolate Orange Sesame Truffles from Vegan Chocolate by Fran Costigan, Photo © Kate Lewis
Photo © Kate Lewis

This unusual, slightly chewy chocolate confection that goes together 1-2-3 is good anytime, but is especially nice to serve after a Middle Eastern or Moroccan meal. To make the liquid part of the recipe, fresh orange juice and finely minced orange zest are cooked with tahini, which is a paste made from sesame seeds, and a small amount of agave syrup. While this truffle ganache is not perfectly smooth, the truffles taste creamy, and the coating of lightly toasted sesame seeds provides color contrast and crunch. Note that raw tahini is slightly sweeter than the roasted kind, but either can be used. I’ll be bringing a platter of these easily made, brightly flavored truffles to a New Year’s Eve party.

 

Vegan Chocolate Orange Sesame Truffles

Chocolate Orange Sesame Truffles

Makes 20 to 24 1-Inch Truffles

Ingredients

  • 4 ounces / 113 grams dark chocolate (70 to 72%), finely chopped
  • Finely minced zest of half a medium organic orange
  • 3 tablespoons / 45 ml freshly squeezed orange juice
  • 1/4 cup / 60 ml agave syrup
  • 1 tablespoon / 15 ml raw or roasted tahini, stirred
  • 3 tablespoons / 26 grams natural sesame seeds, lightly toasted, more as needed

Preparation

  1. Put the chocolate into a small heatproof bowl.
  2. Mix the orange zest and juice and agave in a small saucepan. Cook over medium heat just to a boil.
  3. Reduce the heat to low and add the tahini, whisking vigorously. The mixture will thicken immediately. Do not be concerned if it looks broken or curdled. It will smooth out as you whisk. Simmer the mixture for 30 seconds until it is shiny and smooth. Remove from the heat.
  4. Wait about 30 seconds until the mixture is no longer steaming and pour it over the chocolate. Cover the bowl with a plate. Wait 1 minute and then stir until the chocolate is completely melted. Remember: the ganache will not be perfectly smooth.
  5. Cool to room temperature, stirring a few times with a silicone spatula.
  6. Spoon into a small shallow container and refrigerate uncovered for about 2 hours until the ganache is firm. The ganache can be covered and refrigerated at this point for up to 1 week.

Make The Truffle Centers

Remove the ganache from the refrigerator. Use a spoon to scoop out 1-inch pieces of ganache and another to push the ganache off the spoon into the container. When half the ganache has been used, roll the pieces into logs about 1 inch long, washing and drying your hands as needed. (If at any time the ganache becomes too soft to shape, refrigerate until cold and proceed.) Cover and refrigerate the truffle centers for 15 to 25 minutes to set for before shaping and finishing with the sesame seed coating.

Shape and Coat The Truffles

Put the sesame seeds in a small bowl. Sprinkle about 2 tablespoons / 18 grams on the bottom of a shallow container. Put a few logs at a time into the bowl of sesame seeds and roll until lightly coated. Pinch the ends to form the oval quenelle shapes. Place the finished truffles in the refrigerator to set for 35 to 45 minutes. Serve at room temperature.

Note: When I am pressed for time, I simply score the firm ganache into squares, then cut all the way through. Lift the squares right into the seeds and coat.

Keeping: Store in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to four days or freeze up to one month. They defrost in minutes.

 

Recipe reprinted with permission from Vegan Chocolate: Unapologetically Luscious and Decadent Dairy-Free Desserts, by Fran Costigan, (Running Press 2013).

 

 

Subscribe graphic

Related

Filed Under: Chocolate, Holiday, Recipes, Truffles & Confections Tagged With: Chocolate Orange Sesame Truffles, Dairy Free, Dairy-Free Chocolate, Dairy-Free Dessert, Dairy-Free Truffles, Fran Costigan, Gluten-free, GoodCakesFran, vegan baking, vegan chocolate, Vegan Chocolate Orange Sesame Truffles, vegan dessert, vegan food, vegan recipe, vegan truffles

Want to learn to make the best ever vegan desserts? Of course you do! Check out Fran’s Essential Vegan Desserts Course at Rouxbe.

Rouxbe is recognized by the American Culinary Federation Education Foundation as a quality program.

SaveSave

Comments

  1. AvatarMimi says

    December 23, 2015 at 4:26 pm

    Do you use sweetened or unsweetened dark chocolate for this recipe?

    Reply
    • FranFran says

      December 23, 2015 at 4:32 pm

      The recipe calls for 70 to 72% chocolate, which is sweetened. Unsweetened chocolate is 100%. You will find lots of detailed information about kinds of chocolate in my past newsletters and blogs and the most of course, in Vegan Chocolate book! I hope you will make these truffles. They are very special.

      Reply
  2. AvatarMarti Hall (tofu_mom) says

    January 8, 2016 at 12:18 am

    YESSSSSSS…. My favorites, first, because I love how easy they really are – and second, the fun memories I have of making them with you!
    Good times!

    Reply

Leave a Reply Cancel reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

This site uses Akismet to reduce spam. Learn how your comment data is processed.

ENROLL FOR CLASSES


Want to learn to make the best ever vegan desserts? Of course you do! Check out Fran’s Essential Vegan Desserts Course at Rouxbe.

Rouxbe is recognized by the American Culinary Federation Education Foundation as a quality program.

Subscribe to Fran’s newsletter

Featured Books

MORE GREAT GOOD DAIRY-FREE DESSERTS NATURALLY

MORE GREAT GOOD DAIRY-FREE DESSERTS NATURALLY

Even if you're a novice baker, you'll be able to make rich, moist cakes, delightful cookies, and flaky pie crust--all cholesterol free.

More info →
Buy This Book Online
Buy from Amazon
MORE GREAT GOOD DAIRY-FREE DESSERTS NATURALLY
Buy now!

Vegan Chocolate : Unapologetically Luscious and Decadent Dairy-Free Desserts

Vegan Chocolate : Unapologetically Luscious and Decadent Dairy-Free Desserts

It can be difficult to find truly indulgent vegan desserts—especially chocolate. But for the first time, chocolate cakes, brownies, truffles, puddings, ice creams, and more are within reach: dairy-free, organic, fair-trade, and sublime.

More info →
Buy This Book Online
Buy from Amazon
Vegan Chocolate : Unapologetically Luscious and Decadent Dairy-Free Desserts
Buy now!

Upcoming Events

There are no upcoming events.

View Calendar
Add
  • Add to Timely Calendar
  • Add to Google
  • Add to Outlook
  • Add to Apple Calendar
  • Add to other calendar
  • Export to XML

RECENT POSTS

  • Almond Flour Marzipan
  • Double Chocolate Chunk Cookies Made with Vegan Butter
  • Hannukah Latkes
  • Dreena’s Nanaimo Bars – Dreena’s Kind Kitchen (Giveaway)
  • Rouxbe Culinary Courses Summer Flash Sale

SPECIAL OFFERS



Main Street Vegan Academy

RECIPES

beverages
cakes & cupcakes
cookies & bars
frozen-desserts
fruit desserts
muffins & breads
pies & tarts
puddings, mouse & creams
savory dishes
truffles and confections

Subscribe to Fran’s newsletter

  • Facebook
  • Instagram
  • LinkedIn
  • Pinterest
  • RSS
  • Tumblr

Privacy Policy

SEARCH

Top 30 Vegan Baking Blogs Winner
Vegan Baking Blogs

Copyright © 2023 Chef Fran Costigan — Site by KAPOK STUDIO

Cookies

This site uses cookies: Find out more.