Sensual Rose Petal Raw Chocolate Truffles For the St. Valentine's Day

Roses and chocolates! These are the most popular gifts people share on St. Valentine's Day. Why not combine the two in one deliciously tempting confection? 

Dominique's Rose Petal Raw Chocolate Truffles for the
St. Valentine's Day

I created this truffles with St. Valentine's Day in mind but  they can be enjoyed at any time of the year. In summer they can be made with fresh rose petals.

Almost all the ingredients are considered to have aphrodisiac properties. In different cultures they were regarded as libido stimulants. You have to judge it by yourself whether they work or not. But one thing is certain, they are deliciously sensual and also fun to make.

I love dark chocolate and decided to make the outer layer almost bitter. The bitterness of raw cacao opens the senses. The inner core is rather sweet and offers a very sensual surprise. The exotic flavor combination makes you crave for more.

Dominique's Rose Petal Raw Chocolate Truffles for the 
St. Valentine's Day

For your own convenience I am posting this recipe well ahead of the St. Valentine's Day so that you will have enough time to gather all the ingredients and test the recipe. If you decide to make this truffles for your loved one, you will have to start at least two days ahead of the big event. 

Ingredients: 

for the rose petal filling
  • 3 Tbsp dried, crushed edible rose petals plus 1 Tbsp for garnish
  • 1-2 Tbsp rose water
  • 1 Tbsp purified water
  • 3 Tbsp raw honey
  • 1 Tbsp date paste
  • 1 Tbsp melted cacao butter
  • 2 drops food-grade essential rose oil (optional)
  • 1/3 - 1/2 tsp hot chili flakes
  • 1 Tbsp almond meal
  • pinch pink Himalaya salt

for the truffles:
  • 12 Medjool dates, pitted
  • 1 1/2 -2 cups purified water for soaking
  • 1/2 melted raw cocoa butter
  • 1 cup raw cacao
  • 1/2 cup almond meal
  • 1 Tbsp powdered maca 
  • 2-3 Tbsp raw honey
  • 1/4 tsp pink Himalaya salt
  • 1/4 tsp organic vanilla extract
  • 1/2 tsp ground cardamom
  • 1/4 tsp ground cinnamon
  • 1/4 tsp ground cloves

Dominique's Rose Petal Raw Chocolate Truffles for the 
St. Valentine's Day

Method:
  • Place the crushed rose petals in a small bowl. Add water and rose water and mix well. Cover the bowl and place it in the fridge. Allow to macerate overnight.
  • Wash the dates and place them in a bowl. Pour enough purified water to cover all the dates. Set aside (you can put the bowl in the fridge) and soak for the entire night.
  • Next day, put the soft and plump dates into a food processor and process until you get a smooth date paste. Make sure before processing that all the pits are removed. Add some of the soaking water if the paste is too thick. Reserve the remaining water for later use. Transfer the date paste into a large bowl. Set aside.
  • Transfer the soaked rose petals into a mortar. Add all the other ingredients and turn it into paste using a pestle. If necessary you can add more that the suggested table spoon of date paste. Mix and make sure that all the ingredients are well combined. The rose petal filling should not be too watery. Should this be the case, add little bit more of the almond meal.
  • Now, back to the large bowl. Add melted cacao butter to the date paste and mix well. Add raw cacao and mix again until all the ingredients are well combined. 
  • Add honey, salt and spices. Mix well.
  • Add almond meal and mix until you receive a thick dough. If the chocolate dough is toot thick, add a bit of the water in which the dates have been soaked.
  • Taste the chocolate dough and add more spices to suit your personal taste. This is also the time you can test the consistency. Take a spoonful of the chocolate dough and using clean hands try to roll it into a ball. If you are satisfied with the result you can proceed into making your St. Valentine's Day truffles. If not, add of whatever ingredient you think is necessary. Once the chocolate dough is ready you may want to set it aside for 10-15 minutes. Cover the bowl with clean kitchen towel and allow flavors to mingle. 
  • To make the truffles take 1 Tbsp of chocolate dough and roll it between your palms. Place the ready made chocolate balls on a platter. You should be able to make 16 truffles. Leave some dough for the final touch.
  • One by one, hold each chocolate ball and carefully make a hole in the center using a finger. Take a small amount of the rose petal mass and gently fill out the hole. Take enough chocolate dough to close the opening and gently roll the truffle into shape. Set on a platter. 
  • Once all truffles are made, garnish each and every one with crushed rose petals and place them in paper candy cups. Chill for at least 2-3 hours or leave them in the fridge overnight. For a very sensual experience enjoy these truffles in a company of your loved one!

Tip: I can imagine that you will be tempted to eat your truffles right away but if you exercise a little patience and allow them to sit in the fridge for the entire night, you will be surprised how good they taste when all the flavors had enough time to mingle. My suggestion is that you put your truffles in a container with a lid and keep it in the fridge at all times to preserve freshness and prevent spoilage.

Wishing everyone a very happy Valentine's Day - in radiant health, passionately raw - Dominique


Dominique Allmon©2014