Irresistible Dark Chocolate Pumpkin Truffles: Your Ultimate No-Bake, Vegan & Gluten-Free Fall Dessert
Embrace the cozy flavors of autumn with these truly irresistible Dark Chocolate Pumpkin Truffles. This healthy, no-bake fall dessert is not only incredibly easy to make but also naturally gluten-free and vegan, ensuring everyone can enjoy its delightful taste. Picture a velvety pumpkin spice filling, enveloped in a rich, melted dark chocolate shell, and finished with a delicate sprinkle of flaky sea salt. These mouthwatering truffles are destined to become your go-to treat for the season, offering a perfect blend of sweetness, spice, and wholesome goodness.
Pumpkin Truffles: The Quintessential No-Bake Fall Dessert You’ll Adore
As the leaves begin to change and the air turns crisp, there’s nothing quite like the comforting embrace of pumpkin spice. This season, we’re thrilled to introduce you to a truly magical creation: our Dark Chocolate Pumpkin Truffles. These bite-sized wonders are more than just a dessert; they’re a celebration of autumn, offering a perfect blend of convenience, health-conscious ingredients, and an explosion of classic fall flavors.
Imagine a sweet, creamy pumpkin spice filling, meticulously crafted to achieve the ideal texture, then generously coated in a luxurious layer of melted dark chocolate. To elevate the experience, each truffle is finished with a delicate sprinkle of flaked sea salt, which brilliantly enhances the chocolate’s depth and adds a delightful textural contrast. If you’re a devoted fan of all things pumpkin, prepare to fall head over heels for these delectable little bites!
Beyond their incredible taste, these pumpkin truffles stand out as an ideal no-bake dessert option. This means no oven time, less fuss, and more time to enjoy the beautiful fall weather. They are perfect for last-minute gatherings, holiday potlucks, or simply as a wholesome indulgence for yourself. This fall, you might find yourself making these and our popular pumpkin cheesecake truffles on a continuous loop – they’re that good!
Essential Ingredients for Crafting Your Dark Chocolate Pumpkin Truffles
Creating these delightful pumpkin truffles requires a thoughtful selection of ingredients, each playing a crucial role in achieving the perfect flavor and texture. We’ve carefully chosen components that are not only delicious but also contribute to the recipe’s healthy, vegan, and gluten-free profile. Here’s a closer look at what you’ll need:
- Canned Pumpkin: The star of the show! Ensure you use 100% pure pumpkin puree, not pumpkin pie filling, to avoid added sugars and spices. This provides the authentic pumpkin flavor and creamy base for our truffles.
- Coconut Flour: This is our secret weapon for achieving the ideal truffle texture without relying on excessive amounts of powdered sugar. Coconut flour is highly absorbent, helping to thicken the pumpkin mixture beautifully. It also contributes to the gluten-free nature of the recipe and adds a subtle richness.
- Pure Maple Syrup: A natural sweetener that pairs wonderfully with pumpkin and spice. Maple syrup adds a nuanced sweetness and moisture to the truffle mixture, aligning with our commitment to natural ingredients.
- Vanilla Extract: A splash of pure vanilla extract enhances all the other flavors, adding a warm, aromatic depth that is essential in any sweet treat.
- Pumpkin Pie Spice: The quintessential blend of cinnamon, nutmeg, ginger, and cloves, delivering that unmistakable taste of fall. This spice mix is key to the truffles’ seasonal charm.
- Salt: Just a pinch of fine salt helps to balance the sweetness and brings out the vibrant flavors of the pumpkin and spices.
- Cinnamon: While included in pumpkin pie spice, an extra dash of ground cinnamon provides an additional layer of warmth and comforting aroma that truly defines fall desserts.
- Pure Cane Sugar: A small amount of pure cane sugar helps to further sweeten the truffle filling and improve its overall texture.
- Coconut Oil: Used in its melted form, coconut oil helps to bind the truffle mixture together and contributes to its smooth consistency, especially when chilled. It’s a fantastic plant-based alternative to butter.
- Dark Chocolate Chips: The rich, slightly bitter notes of dark chocolate perfectly complement the sweet and spicy pumpkin filling. Opt for high-quality dark chocolate chips (vegan-friendly, if preferred) for the best results.
- Flaked Sea Salt, for topping: This is a non-negotiable ingredient for the finishing touch! Flaked sea salt adds a gourmet touch and, more importantly, a crucial burst of salty contrast that elevates the entire flavor profile of these truffles.
Step-by-Step Guide: Crafting Your Perfect Pumpkin Truffles
Making these pumpkin truffles is a surprisingly simple process, requiring minimal effort for maximum deliciousness. Follow these steps to create your own batch of fall-inspired treats:
Preparing the Pumpkin Truffle Mixture
Begin by combining all the wet and dry ingredients (excluding the chocolate chips and flaked sea salt) in a medium-sized mixing bowl. This includes your canned pumpkin, pure maple syrup, vanilla extract, salt, pumpkin pie spice, cinnamon, pure cane sugar, and melted coconut oil. Mix thoroughly until all ingredients are well incorporated and the mixture is smooth and consistent.
Next, gradually add the coconut flour. This ingredient is key to achieving the perfect, non-sticky truffle consistency. Mix it in well until the batter becomes thick and firm enough to handle. The mixture should be pliable but not sticky to the touch – a perfect dough-like consistency that will hold its shape beautifully.
The Smart Way to Shape Your Pumpkin Truffles
My number one hack for making these truffles incredibly easy and uniform is to use a mini cookie scoop. This simple tool will save you a lot of time and mess compared to rolling them by hand. Just grab a mini cookie scoop, firmly press the truffle batter into it, and then release it onto a baking sheet lined with wax paper or parchment paper. This method ensures each truffle is perfectly portioned and shaped, leading to a consistent and professional-looking end product.
Once you’ve scooped all the truffle batter onto your lined baking sheet, it’s crucial to place the sheet in the freezer for about 20 minutes. This chilling step is vital for a smooth dipping process. Cold truffles are much firmer, preventing them from falling apart or melting into the warm chocolate, which ensures a clean, even coating and less mess.
While your truffles are chilling in the freezer, it’s the perfect time to melt your chocolate. The recipe calls for dark chocolate chips, which provide a lovely balance to the sweet pumpkin. However, if you prefer a sweeter truffle, feel free to use milk chocolate chips instead. Melt the chocolate gently, either in a microwave-safe bowl in 20-30 second intervals, stirring well after each, or using a double boiler to prevent burning.
Mastering the Art of Dipping Truffles in Dark Chocolate
Once your pumpkin truffles are thoroughly chilled and your chocolate is perfectly melted and smooth, it’s time for the fun part: dipping! Drop one truffle at a time into the bowl of melted chocolate. Use a spoon to gently drizzle chocolate over the entire surface, ensuring it’s fully coated. Then, with a fork and a toothpick (or two forks), quickly lift the truffle out, allowing any excess chocolate to drip back into the bowl. Carefully place the dipped truffle back onto your wax paper-lined baking sheet.
For those new to truffle making, a quick online search for “how to dip truffles tutorial” can provide helpful visual guides and techniques. Remember, perfection isn’t the goal; deliciousness is! My truffles are rarely flawless, but they always taste amazing.
Immediately after dipping each truffle, and while the chocolate is still wet, sprinkle it generously with flaked sea salt. This step is critical because the chocolate hardens quite quickly, especially on a cold truffle. Doing it one by one ensures the sea salt adheres properly. The flaked sea salt is truly a game-changer; it adds a sophisticated crunch and a burst of savory flavor that beautifully contrasts the sweet pumpkin and rich chocolate, taking these truffles to an entirely new level. Trust me, you absolutely don’t want to skip this!
This recipe is designed to use an entire can of pumpkin, so you won’t have to worry about any leftover pumpkin puree going to waste. This convenience makes the recipe even more appealing and streamlines your cooking process.
These truffles are not only a treat for your taste buds but also cater to various dietary preferences. They are proudly vegan, gluten-free, and require no baking, making them an excellent choice for parties, gatherings, or as a thoughtful gift. Their wholesome ingredients and delightful flavor ensure that almost everyone can enjoy them guilt-free. Store any leftover truffles in an airtight container in the fridge for up to a week, or in the freezer for even longer enjoyment.
Explore More Delicious Pumpkin Recipes
If you’ve fallen in love with these pumpkin truffles and are looking for more ways to enjoy the vibrant flavor of pumpkin this season, check out some of our other favorite pumpkin-inspired creations:
- Vegan Pumpkin Chocolate Chip Cookies
- Gluten Free Pumpkin Cookies
- Frozen Pumpkin Pie Smoothie
- Pumpkin Cream Cheese Dip
- Gluten Free Pumpkin Pie
Dark Chocolate Pumpkin Truffles
Joy Shull
30
minutes
20
minutes
50
minutes
35
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Ingredients
-
15
oz
canned pumpkin -
1
cup
coconut flour -
3/4
cups
pure maple syrup -
1
teaspoon
vanilla extract -
1
teaspoon
pumpkin pie spice -
1/2
teaspoon
salt -
1/2
teaspoon
cinnamon -
1/2
cup
pure cane sugar -
1/8
cup
coconut oil,
melted (measure while solid, then melt) -
3 1/2
cups
dark chocolate chips -
flaked sea salt,
for topping
Instructions
-
Add the pumpkin, maple syrup, vanilla, pumpkin pie spice, salt, cinnamon, sugar, and melted coconut oil to a bowl and mix well.
-
Add the coconut flour and mix until well combined (batter will be thick and not sticky)
-
Use a mini ice cream scoop (see pictures), or a spoon to form the truffles
-
Place the truffles on a wax paper lined baking sheet
-
Freeze the truffles for 20 minutes
-
Melt the chocolate while the truffles are freezing. The easiest way is to melt in a microwave safe bowl in 20-30 second increments. Stir often and do not overcook to avoid burning the chocolate.
-
For each truffle, drop it into the melted chocolate. use a spoon to drizzle the chocolate over the top
-
Use a fork and toothpick under the bottom to place truffle back onto the lined baking sheet
-
Top immediately with flaked sea salt
-
Repeat until every truffle is dipped in chocolate and topped with sea salt
-
Place back in the freezer until solid
-
Store leftovers in the fridge or freezer in an airtight bag or container
Notes
Nutrition
Calories:
153
kcal
,
Carbohydrates:
21
g
,
Protein:
2
g
,
Fat:
7
g
,
Saturated Fat:
6
g
,
Polyunsaturated Fat:
0.1
g
,
Monounsaturated Fat:
0.1
g
,
Cholesterol:
0.2
mg
,
Sodium:
61
mg
,
Potassium:
155
mg
,
Fiber:
2
g
,
Sugar:
14
g
,
Vitamin A:
1893
IU
,
Vitamin C:
1
mg
,
Calcium:
66
mg
,
Iron:
1
mg
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