If you adore the bright zing of lemon paired with luscious, creamy sweetness, you are in for a treat with this White Chocolate and Lemon Truffles Recipe. These no-bake delights marry the smooth richness of white chocolate with vibrant lemon zest and extract, creating bite-sized treasures that are simply irresistible. Whether you roll them in icing sugar or coat them in melted white chocolate, these truffles are a perfect treat for indulgence or gifting, made with minimal fuss yet bursting with flavor and charm.

Ingredients You’ll Need

A top view of a silver pan filled with white chocolate chips scattered unevenly on top, a light cream liquid beneath them, and a small square of pale yellow butter in the center, all sitting on a white marbled surface photo taken with an iphone --ar 4:5 --v 7

This White Chocolate and Lemon Truffles Recipe calls for a handful of simple but thoughtfully selected ingredients that each play a key role in delivering the perfect balance of texture, flavor, and brightness. From creamy white chocolate to fresh lemon zest, these elements come together seamlessly.

  • White chocolate (250g / 1.25 cups): Choose high-quality white chocolate for the smoothest, creamiest ganache base.
  • Double cream (100ml / 0.25 cup): Also known as heavy cream, it adds rich, silky texture to your truffles.
  • Unsalted butter (25g / 1 tbsp): Butter enriches the ganache, lending a subtle, velvety mouthfeel.
  • Lemon zest (from 1 lemon): Fresh zest provides bright, citrusy notes that make these truffles pop.
  • Lemon extract (1.5 tsp): This concentrated flavor boosts the lemon intensity without overpowering the chocolate.
  • Icing sugar: Perfect for rolling and adding a delicate, powdery finish.
  • Extra white chocolate (75g / 0.25 cup): Melted for coating, it gives a glossy, elegant shell to your truffles.

How to Make White Chocolate and Lemon Truffles Recipe

Step 1: Create the luscious white chocolate ganache

Start by lining a small, shallow baking tin with baking paper to prepare for your ganache. In a saucepan over low heat, gently melt your finely chopped white chocolate with double cream and butter. Stirring constantly helps everything blend smoothly without burning. Once melted, remove from heat and stir in lemon zest and lemon extract. This little burst of citrus flavor will infuse your ganache with freshness and vibrancy. Pour the mixture into your prepared tin and refrigerate for 2 to 3 hours or overnight until set—but still scoopable.

Step 2: Form the truffle balls

With your ganache perfectly chilled and set, use a large teaspoon or small scoop to portion out the mixture. Roll each portion gently between your palms into smooth balls. The chill in the ganache makes it easier to handle without sticking too much, so don’t be shy about firm but gentle rolling. Arrange the balls on a baking tray lined with baking paper and pop them back into the fridge for about 20 minutes to firm up before decorating.

Step 3: Coat and finish your truffles

This White Chocolate and Lemon Truffles Recipe truly shines during this final stage. Prepare a bowl of icing sugar for rolling your truffles, offering a lightly sweet, powdery coating. If you prefer a glossy finish, melt the extra white chocolate carefully in short bursts in the microwave, stirring often to avoid scorching. Use a fork to dip each truffle into the melted chocolate, turning to coat fully, then shake off excess. Place the coated truffles back in the fridge until the white chocolate hardens to a shiny, elegant shell. Both methods deliver delightful treats depending on your mood and occasion.

How to Serve White Chocolate and Lemon Truffles Recipe

The image shows a square ornate silver dish filled with small round and slightly irregular white cookies. Some cookies have a smooth pale yellow coating, while others have a dusting of white sugar or powder. The dish sits on a white marbled surface with a blue cloth beneath it, creating a soft contrast. The cookies are stacked randomly, covering the dish's center. Photo taken with an iphone --ar 4:5 --v 7

Garnishes

Elevate your truffles by dusting with extra lemon zest or finely grated white chocolate for a chic finish. A sprinkle of edible glitter or a tiny fresh mint leaf can add a festive touch if you’re sharing these at a special gathering. These simple garnishes enhance the appearance and hint at the citrus magic within.

Side Dishes

Pair your truffles with light accompaniments like a cup of Earl Grey tea or a crisp glass of sparkling wine, whose floral and citrus notes complement the lemon’s brightness. Fresh berries also make a lovely side, adding natural sweetness and a juicy contrast to each creamy bite.

Creative Ways to Present

Presentation can turn your homemade truffles into gift-worthy delights. Consider placing them in decorative mini cupcake liners, arranging them artfully on a tiered dessert tray, or packaging them in a beautiful box tied with a ribbon. These creative touches make sharing this White Chocolate and Lemon Truffles Recipe even more joyful.

Make Ahead and Storage

Storing Leftovers

Your truffles keep wonderfully when stored in an airtight container in the fridge for up to a week. This prevents them from drying out or absorbing fridge odors, preserving their fresh, creamy texture and bright lemon flavor.

Freezing

If you want to prepare these treats in advance or save leftovers, freeze truffles in a single layer on a baking sheet until firm, then transfer them to an airtight container or a ziplock bag. They freeze well for up to one month. Thaw them in the fridge overnight for the best texture.

Reheating

Since truffles are best enjoyed chilled, reheating isn’t recommended. If you want a softer center, place them at room temperature for 10 to 15 minutes before serving instead of warming.

FAQs

Can I use regular chocolate instead of white chocolate for this recipe?

While this recipe is crafted to highlight the creamy sweetness of white chocolate paired with zesty lemon, you can experiment with milk or dark chocolate. Just know the flavor profile and texture will change significantly, and you may need to adjust quantities for the best ganache consistency.

How important is the lemon extract in this recipe?

Lemon extract adds a concentrated, vibrant lemon flavor that complements the fresh zest perfectly. Omitting it will result in a more subtle citrus profile, which might be fine if you prefer a milder taste.

My ganache didn’t set properly, what went wrong?

Ganache requires precise measurements, especially the ratio of chocolate to cream. If your ganache didn’t set, it’s likely due to inaccurate measurements or overheating the mixture. Using kitchen scales and following the recipe exactly ensures the perfect scoopable consistency.

Can I make these truffles vegan or dairy-free?

Substituting dairy ingredients is tricky because of the role cream and butter play in texture and flavor. However, you could try using full-fat coconut cream and a dairy-free white chocolate alternative, keeping in mind the texture and taste will differ.

Are these truffles suitable for gift giving?

Absolutely! This White Chocolate and Lemon Truffles Recipe is ideal for gifting thanks to its elegant look, delicious flavor, and the fact that they keep well in the fridge for a week or frozen for longer. Package them thoughtfully, and they make a heartfelt homemade gift.

Final Thoughts

Making the White Chocolate and Lemon Truffles Recipe is such a joyful experience, blending simple ingredients into something magical and indulgent. I encourage you to give this recipe a whirl—whether for yourself, friends, or family, these truffles are little bursts of happiness in every bite. You’ll love how easy they are to make and how quickly they disappear once shared!

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White Chocolate and Lemon Truffles Recipe

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4.4 from 3 reviews

Delightfully creamy and zesty, these white chocolate and lemon truffles combine the smooth richness of white chocolate ganache with the fresh brightness of lemon zest and extract. Perfectly bite-sized and coated either in icing sugar or a thin shell of melted white chocolate, these no-bake truffles make an elegant treat for gifting or enjoying as a sophisticated dessert.

  • Author: Chef
  • Prep Time: 30 minutes
  • Cook Time: 10 minutes
  • Total Time: 4 hours 30 minutes
  • Yield: 30 truffles
  • Category: Dessert
  • Method: No-Cook
  • Cuisine: Western

Ingredients

Truffles

  • 250g (1.25 cups) good quality white chocolate, finely chopped
  • 100ml (0.25 cup) double cream (US – heavy/thickened cream)
  • 25g (1 tbsp) unsalted butter
  • 1 lemon, zest only
  • 1.5 tsp lemon extract

Toppings

  • Icing sugar, for rolling
  • 75g (0.25 cup) good quality white chocolate, melted, for coating (optional)

Instructions

  1. Prepare the baking tin: Line a small, shallow baking tin with baking paper to prevent sticking and for easy removal of the ganache once set.
  2. Melt the base ingredients: Place the finely chopped white chocolate, double cream, and unsalted butter into a saucepan over low heat. Stir continuously until all ingredients have fully melted and combined smoothly, forming a glossy ganache.
  3. Add lemon flavor: Remove the saucepan from heat, then stir in the lemon zest and lemon extract thoroughly to ensure the lemon flavor is evenly distributed throughout the ganache.
  4. Chill the ganache: Pour the ganache mixture into the prepared baking tin. Refrigerate for 2 to 3 hours, or overnight, until the ganache is firm but still scoopable.
  5. Shape the truffles: Once set, use a large teaspoon to scoop out portions of ganache. Roll each portion into a smooth ball using your hands. Place the truffles on a lined baking tray and chill in the refrigerator for a further 20 minutes to firm up.
  6. Prepare coatings: Set out a bowl of icing sugar. If using the melted white chocolate coating, melt 75g of white chocolate in the microwave in 20-second bursts, stirring between each burst until smooth.
  7. Coat the truffles: Remove the truffles from the fridge and roll them first in icing sugar. To coat in melted white chocolate, use a fork to dip each truffle into the melted chocolate, turning to coat evenly. Shake off any excess chocolate and return the coated truffles to the fridge to set the coating.

Notes

  • This recipe requires precise measurements for the ganache to set correctly; it is recommended to use a kitchen scale rather than volume measurements.
  • The ganache, once set, remains scoopable and will not harden completely.
  • If your ganache does not set properly, it’s likely due to inaccurate ingredient measurements.
  • Store truffles in an airtight container or cellophane bag in the refrigerator; they will keep for up to one week.
  • Truffles can be frozen for up to one month for longer storage.

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