A few days after my grandfather passed away last month, I received a text from one of my best friends. She wrote as soon as she found out the news, sent lots of love, and offered to get together during the upcoming weekend.
That Saturday afternoon, she rode the train from where she lived an hour away, and we met at a Starbucks a few blocks from the station in my town. We ordered our drinks—a tall black decaf for me, a green tea frappuccino with an extra shot for her (she works long hours as a computer scientist and never gets enough sleep!)—then found an empty table and chairs to sit.
Because of our busy schedules, we last saw each other just before New Year’s, so we talked a little about Grandpa and spent the rest of our time catching up and sharing stories about life over those three months. Two hours flew by, and knowing the trains ran less frequently on weekends, I asked if she wanted to head back home…
But she wanted to stop by the See’s Candy store instead! Laughing, I agreed, so we pitched our empty cups and wandered over to the chocolate shop. We browsed around their Easter display before stepping up to the counter, and although my friend simply ordered four chocolates, I decided to walk away empty handed… Because otherwise, I’d end up with a bag containing at least one of every dark chocolate truffle in the display case!
Since I still couldn’t shake the thought of those truffles almost two weeks later, I finally caved and whipped up these Healthy Dark Chocolate Mocha Truffles at home. They’re super easy (just 4 ingredients!), incredibly rich, and just 22 calories!
So I definitely don’t feel bad eating an extra one or two! ?
Like I mentioned, these healthy truffles are extremely simple to make! No heavy cream to heat… No chocolate to melt and temper… You really just need one bowl and a fork!
To start, you’ll add warm milk and instant coffee to that bowl, and whisk until the instant coffee dissolves. Don’t substitute regular coffee grounds or brewed coffee! The former doesn’t dissolve, which means your truffles will be gritty and grainy, and the latter isn’t strong enough to taste over the rich dark chocolate flavor. This is the instant coffee I use (or sometimes the decaf version!), and you can find it at most major grocery stores.
Next, you’ll stir in a little pure maple syrup to sweeten your truffles instead of refined sugar. Be sure you buy the real kind! Skip the pancake syrups and sugar-free syrups because those contain corn syrup or artificial ingredients, which we’re avoiding in this healthy recipe. The only ingredient on the label should be “maple syrup,” and it generally comes in thin glass bottles or squat plastic jugs at the grocery store. (I’ve also bought it online here!)
Now for the most important final ingredient… Cocoa powder! Just regular ol’ unsweetened cocoa powder. Since you’re mixing in 1 full cup, the truffles already taste really rich and dark without Dutched or special dark cocoa powder. It takes a few minutes of stirring to get it fully incorporated, so be patient!
Then chill the mixture so it stiffens up and the flavors can meld… Roll it into spheres…
And enjoy! ? And when you make your own, remember to snap a picture and share it on Instagram using #amyshealthybaking and tagging @amyshealthybaking IN the photo itself! (That guarantees I’ll see your picture! ?) I’d love to see your truffles and feature them in my Sunday Spotlight series!
| Healthy Dark Chocolate Mocha Truffles | | Print |
- ¼ cup (60mL) warm nonfat milk (or your favorite dairy-based or dairy-free milk!)
- 1 ½ tsp instant coffee granules
- 3 tbsp (45mL) pure maple syrup
- 1 cup (80g) unsweetened cocoa powder (measured like this)
- Add the warm milk and instant coffee to a small bowl, and stir until the coffee has completely dissolved. (It will take a few minutes!) Stir in the maple syrup. Add in the cocoa powder, and stir with a fork until completely incorporated. (It takes a bit of effort!) Chill the chocolate mixture for at least 30 minutes. (If chilling for longer than 2 hours, cover the top of the bowl. with foil or plastic wrap to prevent the chocolate mixture from drying out.)
- Line a baking sheet with wax paper.
- Remove the chocolate mixture from the refrigerator, and roll it into 16 small spheres. After shaping each truffle, place it on the prepared baking sheet. Once all of the truffles have been formed, transfer them to an airtight container. Cover and refrigerate until ready to serve.
Any milk may be substituted for the nonfat milk.
Honey or agave may be substituted for the maple syrup.
For a slightly sweeter chocolate flavor, substitute additional maple syrup for an equal amount of the milk.
For a stronger coffee flavor, increase the instant coffee by an additional ¼ to ½ teaspoon. Do not substitute regular coffee grounds or brewed coffee.
The chocolate mixture tends to stick to your hands a bit, so wipe off your hands with a damp paper towel after shaping each truffle.
Here is my video on how to make truffles! (It's located just above the recipe.)
{gluten-free, vegan option, clean eating, low fat, low calorie, lower carb, paleo option}
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You may also like Amy’s other recipes…
♡ Healthy Dark Chocolate Orange Truffles
♡ Healthy Dark Chocolate Strawberry Truffles
♡ Healthy Dark Chocolate Peanut Butter Truffles
♡ Healthy Dark Chocolate Peppermint Mocha Truffles
♡ Healthy Dark Chocolate Raspberry Truffles
♡ Healthy Dark Chocolate Blueberry Truffles
♡ Fudgy Mocha Brownies with Coffee Drizzle
♡ Healthy Mocha Chocolate Chip Scones
♡ Fudgy Peppermint Mocha Cookies
♡ Healthy Single-Serving Mocha Chocolate Chip Mug Cake
Hi Amy…. Really enjoying your blog and wonderful recipes. I also try to avoid honey & maple syrup because of the effect on insulin. I love your chocolate truffle recipe but wonder what I could substitute the maple syrup with that would not raise insulin. I use a lot of xyletol but that’s dry, obviously, something wet is needed. I wondered if I could use my xyletol powdered sugar and add a little milk? Any suggestions? Thanx bunches…??
I really appreciate your kind words and interest in my recipes Roseanne! If you’d like to substitute xylitol for the maple syrup, use the equivalent of 3-4 tablespoons of sugar. If it’s a 1-to-1 substitute for granulated sugar, then add an additional 1½ tablespoons of milk. If it’s less (ie 1 teaspoon xylitol = 1 tablespoon sugar), then add an additional 2-3 tablespoons of milk. 🙂 I can’t wait to hear what you think of these truffles!
Hi Amy — I am not a mocha person. Can I just leave that out of all your truffle recipes?
Yes! I only use instant coffee in this and one other truffle recipe (my dark chocolate peppermint mocha truffles), but you’re welcome to omit it from those two recipes. My other truffle recipes (they’re linked to underneath the recipe!) don’t use instant coffee, so perhaps those will be more to your liking. 🙂 I can’t wait to hear what you think of them Linda!
My mix tasted amazing but wasnt firm? so i mixed a few table spoons of natural peanut butter into it and it firmed up. They were great but not sure where i went wrong? ?
I’m glad you enjoyed the flavor Roxy! We’ll get this sorted out. 🙂 How did you measure each of the ingredients — with a kitchen scale or measuring cups/spoons? You used the instant coffee granules, not prepared coffee? And you used the given amounts (just to double check!)?
i used scales and the right coffee. But i read the recipe again and realised i didn’t refrigerate mixture. I was rushing and just mixed it then went to roll them lol.
Will try again this time i will chill the mixture lol.?
Ah!! That makes a huge difference. 🙂 I can’t wait to hear how they turn out with the chilling step included Roxy!
I would have found it extremely difficult to walk away from those dark chocolate truffles, I don’t know how you managed it!! But these look like they were well worth the wait – they look so gorgeous and delicious! Only 4 ingredients too! My mum’s birthday is tomorrow, so I may have to make these for her as she does love dark chocolate…?
Thank you so much Katie! And happy birthday to your incredible mum! 🙂 I’d love to hear what you think if you try these truffles!
Thank you Amy, my mum had a wonderful birthday!? I made these truffles for her on Thursday, and when I gave them to her as a present yesterday, her eyes lit up – she loves dark chocolate! She took a bite of one and said it was absolutely delicious! Although with a slight reluctance to share them, she let us try one each. I ate a truffle, and it was so indulgent and yummy! When I told her it was one of your recipes, and that it was in fact a healthier treat, she was amazed! Thank you so much for this recipe Amy, I will definitely be returning to it many times in the future! ?
Aww Katie, that means SO much to me!! I’m so excited that your mum enjoyed these truffles — and that you plan on making them again in the future! ♡
The variety of truffles is incredible. Everything looks so delectable. So wonderful that one can enjoy healthy desserts without having to compromise on the taste and flavor. You must experiment in the kitchen a lot and come up with such wonderful recipes. Your boyfriend is lucky, gets to eat something delicious everyday 🙂 I find myself moving from one truffle recipe to another. Keep up the great work, you are awesome.
Thanks so much Mita! I’m a huge chocoholic… Perhaps you’ve noticed! 😉 My neighbors certainly love having me in the neighborhood — I end up knocking on their doors with treats quite a few times each week!
Hi!! I was wondering if it is possible to leave out the mocha aspect of the recipe to just make chocolate truffles?
Thanks1111
Definitely! I can’t wait to hear what you think of these truffles Nia! 🙂
I have made these and they are lovely and rich and have the perfect truffle texture !!
They taste like dark chocolate creamy truffles . I’ve made them twice now (each time I halved the recipe as I am the only one who has them ) .
Sometimes I like to add a tiny bit of milk chocolate or nuts (cashew , Brazil ) in the centre of each truffle to make them even more delicious .
Thank you for such a great recipe !!! ?
I’m so glad you’re enjoying these truffles Attia! That sounds like such a delicious idea to add a little something to the center. Yum!! 🙂
Can’t wait to make these. Very excited because I love Chocolate and mocha. Keep up the great blog and your journey to your dreams. Any recipes for healthy protein balls, or bars?
I’m excited to hear what you think of these truffles Alan! Yes, I have a number of protein bars recipes (here) and protein energy bites recipes (here). In the future, the best way to find a specific recipe is to click on the “Recipes” tab at the top of my blog or use the Search Bar (located at the top of my blog, if you’re viewing on a computer, or the bottom of my blog, if you’re viewing on a mobile device). 🙂 I’d love to hear what you think of any of those protein recipes if you decide to try them too!