Valentine's Day is around the corner, and what better way to celebrate than to make your sweetheart dark chocolate truffles? This recipe is easy to do in an afternoon, or as a last minute idea-not that you didn't plan anything ;o)

you can cover with coconut, chopped nuts, etc

traditionally truffles are covered with cocoa powder

dark chocolate truffles

makes 30 truffles

16 oz dark chocolate (70 percent cocoa), chopped

1/2 cup coconut oil

2 tsp pure vanilla extract

Pinch sea salt

1/4 cup cocoa powder, toasted coconut, or toasted nuts, for rolling

Heat chocolate, oil, and 3 Tbsp water in a double boiler, stirring, until just melted.
Remove from heat and stir in vanilla and sea salt.
Transfer to an 8-inch baking dish and refrigerate until mixture is set but still pliable, about 2 hours.
Using a 1-inch scoop or spoon, scoop out chocolate mixture and transfer to a parchment-lined baking sheet.
Coat hands in cocoa and roll chocolate into balls.
Refrigerate on parchment-lined baking sheet 10 minutes or until outsides firm up again.
Roll in the topping of your choice--more cocoa powder, toasted coconut, toasted chopped nuts, etc
Enjoy!

There is also no shame in making these for yourself as a special treat regardless of the time of year! How else do you think these got made? Not that I need much of an excuse to make anything with chocolate!

Jennifer is the chef behind a girl eats world. For more delicious recipes, head over and hang out for a while!