These creamy Guinness Truffles combine the bittersweet notes of dark chocolate with the deep caramel undertones of stout beer. It's an easy gourmet treat that's perfect for St. Patrick's Day.
There’s something delicious about the combination of chocolate and stout beer. The deep, roasted malt notes of Guinness pair perfectly with dark chocolate, bringing out a richness that’s bold yet smooth.
These Guinness Truffles are one of my favorite ways to showcase that combination. They’re creamy, deeply flavored, and incredibly easy to make.
What I love about this recipe is that it’s super simple but still feels luxurious. You don’t need any fancy equipment, and the ingredients are straightforward. A simple ganache, a quick chill, and a roll in cocoa powder. It’s that easy.
Taste-wise, expect a deep, dark chocolate flavor with a subtle warmth from the Guinness. The beer enhances the natural bitterness of the chocolate while adding hints of caramel and coffee.
The result? A melt-in-your-mouth truffle that feels sophisticated but requires minimal effort.
These truffles are fantastic for gifting, serving at gatherings, or just stashing in the fridge for when a chocolate craving hits.
They also make an excellent treat for St. Patrick’s Day or any time you want to impress with homemade confections.
Love using Guinness in desserts? Try Guinness Cupcakes and Guinness Chocolate Mousse!
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Why You'll Love This Recipe
- Easy yet impressive – Minimal effort for a gourmet result.
- Perfectly balanced flavors – Rich chocolate with subtle malty depth.
- Great for gifting – A homemade treat that feels luxurious.
- Versatile – Enjoy them as is, or customize with coatings and add-ins.
- No special equipment needed – Just a saucepan, a bowl, and a spoon.
Ingredients
- Guinness – Adds depth and enhances the chocolate. You can substitute another stout, like Murphy’s or a chocolate porter.
- Dark Chocolate – The heart of the truffles. Use a quality chocolate with at least 60% cocoa. If you prefer a sweeter truffle, mix in some semi-sweet chocolate.
- Heavy Cream – Aka Double Cream. Creates the creamy texture.
- Butter – Adds silkiness. Unsalted is best, but if using salted, reduce added salt elsewhere.
- Vanilla Extract – Rounds out the flavor. You can swap it for whiskey for an extra kick.
- Cocoa Powder – For rolling the truffles. Use unsweetened for the best balance.
See the recipe card for quantities.
Instructions
Follow this step-by-step photo tutorial, then scroll down to the recipe card for the full ingredients list and method.
In a small saucepan, add the cream and Guinness.
Heat it over medium heat until it begins to simmer.
Remove from heat and pour the mixture over the chopped chocolate.
Let sit for 2-3 minutes to melt.
Stir until the chocolate is fully melted and smooth. Add the butter and vanilla extract, and mix until fully combined.
Let the mixture cool to room temperature, then refrigerate for 1-2 hours until firm.
Sift the cocoa powder onto a plate or shallow dish.
Once chilled, use a spoon or melon baller to scoop out small portions of the chocolate mixture and roll them into balls.
Roll each truffle in cocoa powder to coat.
Store in an airtight container in the refrigerator until ready to serve.
Variations
- Whiskey Truffles – Swap Guinness for Irish whiskey.
- Coffee-Infused – Add a teaspoon of instant espresso powder.
- Salted Caramel – Drizzle with caramel and sprinkle with sea salt.
- Nut Coating – Roll in finely chopped toasted hazelnuts or almonds.
- Coconut Coating – Roll in shredded toasted coconut.
Storage
- Storage: Keep in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 2 weeks.
- Freezing: Freeze in a single layer, then transfer to a bag for up to 3 months. Thaw in the fridge.
- Make-Ahead: The ganache can be made a day ahead and stored in the fridge before rolling.
Top tips
- Use good quality chocolate – It makes all the difference.
- Let the cream sit – Give it time to melt the chocolate properly.
- Chocolate not melted under the cream? Next time chop the chocolate smaller, but for now, salvage it with a few seconds in the microwave.
- Chill thoroughly – Rushing this step makes shaping messy.
- Use a melon baller – For uniform truffle sizes.
- Work quickly when rolling – Your hands will warm the chocolate.
Chocolate Desserts
FAQs
Yes, but it will be much sweeter.
No, this one's for the grown ups. But it’s a small amount.
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📖 Recipe
Guinness Truffles
Ingredients
- ½ cup heavy cream (double cream) 120ml
- ¼ cup Guinness 60ml
- 8 ounces dark chocolate 225g, chopped
- 1 tablespoon butter
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
- ½ cup cocoa powder 50g, for rolling
Instructions
- In a small saucepan, heat the heavy cream and Guinness over medium heat until it begins to simmer.
- Remove from heat and pour the mixture over the chopped chocolate. Let sit for 2-3 minutes to melt.
- Stir until the chocolate is fully melted and smooth. Add the butter and vanilla extract, and mix until fully combined.
- Let the mixture cool to room temperature, then refrigerate for 1-2 hours until firm.
- Sift the cocoa powder onto a plate or shallow dish.
- Once chilled, use a spoon or melon baller to scoop out small portions of the chocolate mixture and roll them into balls.
- Roll each truffle in cocoa powder to coat.
- Store in an airtight container in the refrigerator until ready to serve.
Nutrition
The nutritional information provided is approximate and can vary depending on several factors, so is not guaranteed to be accurate. Please see a registered dietician for special diet advice.
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