What is a chocolate truffle cake?

Question

I find the issue of the chocolate truffle in general to be a weird thing, at least the Swiss version, which is the melting of chocolate and folding in of heavily whipped cream. In a recipe book I'm currently reading that is the definition they've used. Its then left to cool, is that really a chocolate truffle as everyone thinks of it? Or are there multiple versions of a chocolate truffle cake?

Answer

Aren't chocolate truffles little balls of ganache rolled in cocoa, so they look like they are covered in dirt? And ganache is dark chocolate melting in hot cream?

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Chocolate_truffle

More generally they are any confectionery of about the same size and appearance.

So a truffle cake could be anything that related to the candies, whether it is decorated with them, or frosted with ganache and/or cocoa.

Answer

There are different ways to make ganache, but I would say a truffle is defined as a ball of ganache rolled in cocoa to simulate the more pungent tuber. Chocolates formed in molds would be called bonbons or pralines (esp in Europe).

As for truffle cake, flourless tortes com to mind (especially Rose Levy Beranbaum's Chocolate Oblivion Truffle Torte), but I think the term is not well defined and generally used by bakers and pastry chefs to convey a higher level of richness or decadence in their dessert. i.e. not just your Grandma's plain old chocolate cake, but rich and rare and heady truffle cake.

Answer

I regularly make "La Bete Noir" from Epicurious, and people sometimes think it's a cheesecake, which it's not. When explaining what it is, I describe it as tasting like a "slice of truffle"..........however it does have eggs, and there's no cream in the base....it's topped with ganache and very rich. 

My understanding of the difference between a truffle and ganache is the quanitity of cream that goes in there....more cream in the ganache isn't there?

Just on a side note, I think a lot of people don't really know what truffles really are..the ones sent out by the chocolate companies coated in chocolate etc, and very sweet.....don't seem like truffles to me (not that they're not good). I always though a chocolate truffle was a dark chocolate ganache (but with less cream), rolled in cocoa to look like the ones dug from the ground. That being said , a few times i've made them, i've dipped them as well as made varieties like thai spiced ones. A bit of change is not always a bad thing.

Answer

I think I figured it out thanks to your responses. The cake I described actually was a ganache placed on a 1/4" disc base of Genoese sponge cake encompassed by a pastry ring and left to solidify/set in the fridge. It's then dusted uniformly with cocoa powder. Hence the cocoa powder + ganache make it a truffle, and the Genoese base at the bottom, albeit thin, allows it to be seen as a cake.

Seems like a fair use of the terms, no?

Topics

Locations

Your post has been published!

What is a chocolate truffle cake?

New to Chowhound?

Chowhound Recommends

Recipe Round-Ups

11 Reasons To Always Have Chocolate Chips in Your Pantry

How To

Easy Icebox Cake Is a Perfect No-Bake Summer Dessert

More from Chowhound

Shop

Chowhound Gift Guide 2019: The Best Picks From Direct-to-Consumer Brands

Shop

Chowhound Gift Guide 2019: Sweet Gifts for Chocolate Connoisseurs

Shop

Star Gifts for Fans of 'The Great British Baking Show'

Shop

Chowhound Gift Guide 2019: Best Gifts for Food-Loving Families and Parents

Trending Discussions

Cosmic Crisp Apples

Manhattan Restaurant for special birthday dinner

Holiday Treats 2019

Table Talk w/ NYT Food Photographer Andrew Scrivani

What are you baking? December 2019 edition

Quick Links

Latest Discussions

Cookbook of the Month

Dish of the Month

Weekly Menu Planning

Get fresh food news delivered to your inbox

15 Under-$15 Gifts I'd Happily Give to My Food-Loving Self

13 Peppermint Products to Get You In The Holiday Spirit

How to Get Your Holiday Potluck Food to the Party in One Piece

CBS Interactive

Chowhound

Community

Editorial

Content