If you’re craving a holiday treat that feels both indulgent and delightfully festive, this Eggnog White Chocolate Truffles Recipe might just become your new favorite. I absolutely love how these truffles marry the creamy, nutmeg-spiced flavors of classic eggnog with rich white and dark chocolate. Whether it’s for gifting, entertaining, or treating yourself, these truffles always impress — and I can’t wait to share exactly how to make them at home with you!
Why You’ll Love This Recipe
- Festive Flavor Explosion: The perfect blend of eggnog spices and creamy chocolate will instantly transport you to cozy holiday moments.
- Smooth & Silky Texture: Thanks to cream cheese and melted white chocolate, these truffles have a luscious, velvety consistency that melts in your mouth.
- Easy to Make Yet Impressively Fancy: You won’t believe how simple it is to create such a gourmet-looking treat.
- Customizable & Crowd-Pleasing: Easily adapt with or without alcohol, plus flexible toppings to fit your style or diet.
Ingredients You’ll Need
Each ingredient here plays a special role in balancing creamy, sweet, and warm spice notes. A key tip is using full-fat eggnog and good quality white and dark chocolates to get that luxurious texture and flavor.
- White chocolate: Opt for high-quality white chocolate for smooth melting and that signature creamy sweetness.
- Cream cheese: Makes the truffles luxuriously silky — make sure it’s softened for easy mixing.
- Eggnog: Full-fat is best here; it infuses the truffles with classic holiday flavor. Homemade or store-bought works.
- Vanilla extract: Enhances the overall flavor and adds depth.
- Ground nutmeg and cinnamon: These warm spices bring that traditional eggnog flair.
- Salt: Just a pinch to balance the sweetness.
- Bourbon or dark rum (optional): Adds a boozy kick if you want a grown-up treat—or just skip for a family-friendly version.
- Dark chocolate: The outer shell that gives a rich contrast to the sweet filling.
- White chocolate (for drizzling, optional): Adds a pretty, professional finishing touch.
- Crushed gingersnap cookies or extra nutmeg (optional): For an extra festive crunch or pop of spice on top.
Variations
I’ve played around with this Eggnog White Chocolate Truffles Recipe quite a bit, and it’s so fun to tweak it depending on the occasion or who I’m sharing with. Feel free to experiment, and you might find your own signature twist!
- Alcohol-free version: I often skip the bourbon to keep these kid-friendly and crowd-pleasing at holiday parties—trust me, they still taste amazing.
- Spiced up: For an extra festive flair, try adding a pinch of ground cloves or ginger alongside the nutmeg and cinnamon.
- Nutty crunch: If you love texture, sprinkle finely chopped toasted pecans or walnuts inside the coating or as a topping.
- Chocolate coating swap: Trader Joe’s or any good-quality semi-sweet chocolate chips work great if you don’t have dark chocolate bars handy.
How to Make Eggnog White Chocolate Truffles Recipe
Step 1: Melt the White Chocolate to Start Your Filling
First up, gently melt the white chocolate. I like using a double boiler because it’s easy to control the heat and avoid scorching, but the microwave works just fine — just do short 15-second bursts and stir between each. You want a smooth, silky texture without any lumps. Once melted, let it cool slightly so it stays fluid but isn’t hot enough to scramble the cream cheese.
Step 2: Blend in Cream Cheese and Build the Filling
Next, stir your softened cream cheese in a bowl until it’s nice and smooth — no lumps here! Then, slowly add that melted white chocolate and mix until you get a glossy, creamy base. Taking this slow ensures the texture stays perfect.
Step 3: Pour in Eggnog & Spices for That Holiday Magic
Slowly drizzle in the eggnog while stirring gently — this is key to keep the mixture from splitting. Then, add the vanilla, nutmeg, cinnamon, and a pinch of salt. If you’re feeling festive, stir in the bourbon or rum, which adds a wonderful depth (trust me, I discovered this trick the first time I made them for a holiday gathering!). The filling should thicken up to a frosting-like consistency.
Step 4: Chill Until Firm Enough to Scoop
Cover and pop the filling in the fridge for at least 4 hours or overnight — I usually make this the night before so it’s ready when I want to assemble. The chilling helps the truffle mixture firm up so it’s easy to handle.
Step 5: Roll Into Truffle-Perfect Balls
Once chilled, scoop out small portions — about 1-inch balls — and roll gently between your palms to smooth them. If the mixture is too soft and sticky, a quick trip back to the fridge can help. I find using a small cookie scoop makes this part quick and uniform, which is great if you’re planning to gift these.
Step 6: Melt the Dark Chocolate for Dipping
Just like with the white chocolate, melt the dark chocolate slowly to keep it glossy and smooth. Let it cool a bit so it’s warm but not hot — you definitely don’t want to melt the filling when dipping.
Step 7: Coat Your Truffles with Chocolate Love
Dip each ball into the dark chocolate, letting any excess drip off. I use a fork for this, which helps me grab and lower the truffle smoothly. Then place them on parchment paper. If you want, drizzle some melted white chocolate over them and sprinkle with crushed gingersnap cookies or a pinch of nutmeg before the coating hardens — these little finishing touches really make them special.
Step 8: Let the Magic Set
Allow the chocolate coating to harden at room temperature or pop the tray back into the fridge. Once they’re set, store them in an airtight container in the fridge. I usually keep mine chilled until serving — that way they have the best texture and flavor.
Pro Tips for Making Eggnog White Chocolate Truffles Recipe
- Use Quality Chocolate: Good chocolate ensures a smooth coating and better flavor; avoid chocolate chips with stabilizers in the coating.
- Control the Temperature: Let melted chocolate cool slightly before dipping to prevent melting the truffle centers.
- Chill, Chill, Chill: Don’t rush the chilling steps — firm filling and truffles help them keep shape when dipping.
- Prevent Sticky Hands: Lightly dust your hands with powdered sugar or wash them occasionally to avoid the mixture sticking while rolling.
How to Serve Eggnog White Chocolate Truffles Recipe
Garnishes
I love a simple dusting of extra nutmeg or some crushed gingersnap cookie crumbs on top — it looks pretty and adds a lovely crunch. You can also do a white chocolate drizzle for that extra “wow” factor, especially if you’re presenting these as gifts or at parties.
Side Dishes
These truffles are rich, so I usually serve them with a light cup of coffee, espresso, or even a glass of cold eggnog to keep the festive vibes going. They’re also a sweet treat alongside fruit and cheese platters for holiday gatherings.
Creative Ways to Present
For special occasions, I’ve lined pretty boxes or mini decorative tins with parchment paper and nestled the truffles inside with cinnamon sticks or sprigs of rosemary for a seasonal touch. Wrapping them in colorful festive wax paper makes for an easy and stunning homemade gift.
Make Ahead and Storage
Storing Leftovers
After making these truffles, I store leftovers in an airtight container in the fridge. They keep perfectly for about a week. The texture stays luscious and the flavors actually seem to deepen after a day.
Freezing
If you want to make these in advance, freezing works wonderfully. Just place the coated truffles on a parchment-lined baking sheet to freeze individually, then transfer to a freezer-safe bag or container. They keep well for up to a month and thaw gently in the fridge before serving.
Reheating
I usually just let frozen truffles thaw in the refrigerator overnight. Avoid microwaving so you don’t risk melting the chocolate shell or affecting the creamy center. Serve chilled or slightly room temp for the best taste and texture.
FAQs
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Can I make this Eggnog White Chocolate Truffles Recipe without alcohol?
Absolutely! You can simply omit the bourbon or rum, and the truffles will still have plenty of rich eggnog flavor thanks to the spices and creaminess. This makes it perfect for serving kids or guests who don’t drink.
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How do I prevent the white chocolate from seizing?
When melting white chocolate, make sure to keep the heat low and stir frequently. Avoid any contact with water, as even a small amount can cause the chocolate to seize. Using a double boiler helps control the temperature, while microwaving in short bursts is a safe alternative.
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Can these truffles be made ahead for holiday parties?
Definitely! You can make the filling and shape the truffles a day or two ahead. After coating, just keep them refrigerated until ready to serve. They also freeze well if you want to prepare even earlier.
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What’s the best way to shape the truffles?
The easiest method is to use a small cookie scoop to portion out equal amounts, then gently roll between your hands. If your hands get sticky, try dusting them lightly with powdered sugar or chilling the mixture a bit longer to make shaping easier.
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Can I use flavored eggnog or homemade eggnog in this recipe?
You can definitely use homemade or store-bought eggnog. Just make sure it’s fully chilled before mixing it into the filling, and strain out any solids if homemade, so the texture stays smooth.
Final Thoughts
I hope you give this Eggnog White Chocolate Truffles Recipe a try — it’s one of those desserts I always come back to during the holidays. Every year, my family goes crazy for these rich, spiced treats, and I love sharing them as homemade gifts too. Once you master this recipe, you’ll find it’s a fantastic crowd-pleaser that’s surprisingly easy to make. So grab your chocolate, pour yourself a little eggnog, and let’s start truffling!
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Eggnog White Chocolate Truffles Recipe
- Prep Time: 30 minutes
- Cook Time: 5 minutes
- Total Time: 5 hours 35 minutes
- Yield: Makes about 20 truffles
- Category: Dessert
- Method: No-Cook
- Cuisine: American
Description
Indulge in these luscious Eggnog Truffles, a festive treat combining creamy white chocolate and rich cream cheese with the warm flavors of eggnog, nutmeg, and cinnamon. Coated in smooth dark chocolate and optionally drizzled with white chocolate and sprinkled with crushed gingersnaps, these bite-sized delights are perfect for holiday gatherings or gifting.
Ingredients
For the Filling
- 200 grams (7 oz) white chocolate, chopped
- 113 grams (4 oz) cream cheese, softened
- 60 ml (1/4 cup) full-fat eggnog
- 1/2 teaspoon pure vanilla extract
- 1/4 teaspoon ground nutmeg
- 1/8 teaspoon ground cinnamon
- Pinch of salt
- 1 tablespoon bourbon or dark rum (optional)
For the Coating
- 200 grams (7 oz) dark chocolate, chopped
- 60 grams (2 oz) white chocolate, chopped (for drizzling, optional)
- 2 tablespoons crushed gingersnap cookies or extra nutmeg (for topping, optional)
Instructions
- Melt the White Chocolate: Gently melt the white chocolate in a double boiler, stirring until smooth. Alternatively, microwave in 15-second intervals, stirring between each, until fully melted. Let cool slightly so it stays smooth but isn’t hot.
- Combine with Cream Cheese: In a mixing bowl, stir the softened cream cheese until smooth. Add the slightly cooled white chocolate and mix until fully incorporated and silky.
- Add Eggnog and Flavorings: Slowly pour in the eggnog while mixing to prevent separation. Stir in the vanilla extract, nutmeg, cinnamon, and a pinch of salt. If using, mix in the bourbon or rum. The mixture should be thick and spoonable, similar to frosting.
- Chill the Filling: Cover the bowl and refrigerate for at least 4 hours or overnight until the mixture is firm enough to scoop.
- Shape into Balls: Once chilled, use a small cookie scoop or spoon to portion the filling into 1-inch balls. Roll gently between your hands to smooth the shape. Place the truffles on a parchment-lined tray and return to the fridge to firm up again, about 30 minutes.
- Melt the Dark Chocolate: While the truffles are chilling, melt the dark chocolate using the same method as the white chocolate. Let it cool slightly so it coats evenly without melting the filling.
- Dip the Truffles: Using a fork or dipping tool, dip each chilled truffle into the melted dark chocolate, allowing the excess to drip off. Place each one back onto the parchment-lined tray.
- Add Toppings: If desired, drizzle with melted white chocolate and sprinkle with crushed gingersnaps or a pinch of nutmeg before the coating sets.
- Set and Store: Allow the truffles to set completely at room temperature or refrigerate until firm. Store in an airtight container in the fridge for up to one week. Serve cold for the best texture and flavor.
Notes
- For a non-alcoholic version, omit the bourbon or rum.
- Homemade eggnog works well but must be strained and fully chilled before use.
- Truffles can be frozen for up to 1 month. Thaw in the refrigerator before serving.
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 truffle
- Calories: 110
- Sugar: 10g
- Sodium: 30mg
- Fat: 7g
- Saturated Fat: 4.5g
- Unsaturated Fat: 2g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: 11g
- Fiber: 1g
- Protein: 1.5g
- Cholesterol: 15mg