Goat Cheese Truffles

Preparation is easy

Preparation time 2 hours

Yield – 20 truffles

Ingredients

• 6 ounces fine-quality bittersweet chocolate (not unsweetened), chopped
• 6 ounces (about 3/4 cup) fresh goat cheese (goat fromage blanc)
• 2 tablespoons confectioners’ sugar
• ½ teaspoon vanilla
• 1/8 teaspoon pure lemon extract
• ¼ cup unsweetened cocoa powder, sifted, for coating the truffles
• ¼ cup of minced fresh basil, for coating.

Directions

1. Melt chocolate in a bain-marie – a metal bowl set over a pot of barely simmering water.  Be sure that your bowl is not touching the simmering water.  Stir chocolate until it is smooth.  Remove the chocolate from heat and cool slightly.
2. In a bowl whisk together goat cheese, icing sugar, vanilla and lemon extract.  Beat until light and fluffy.  Add your chocolate and stir until well combined.  Cover bowl and chill for 1 hour until firm.
3. Using two spoons, form small truffle balls of mixture and roll in the cocoa powder and/or minced basil. Chill the truffles on a baking sheet lined with waxed paper for 30 minutes, or until they are firm.
4. The truffles keep in an airtight container, chilled, for 3 days