Sometimes, simplest is best.
I often forget this, though. Being the perfectionist that my mother brought me up to be, I often find myself trying to get every detail perfect on whatever it is that I'm working on. I lose sleep over my to-do list. I get overwhelmed by deadlines for projects I'm not even close to finishing. I get grouchy because I've left no free time to just relax and let my mind rest.
It's not that these things are all that complicated. At their core, they're pretty simple. I've just made them much more complicated than they need to be in my efforts to make everything perfect. That wrap report for whatever show I'm working on? My boss probably doesn't care if the project logo is on the top of the page, yet I will spend an hour trying to fit it in there. My to-do list? I don't need to go to both Trader Joe's and Whole Foods in addition to the dry-cleaners all today, but I'll bust my ass to get the lowest priced organic strawberries, the BPA-free cans of organic beans (only at Whole Foods), and my husband's shirts picked up from the dry-cleaners in time to get dinner on the table when I get home.
Sometimes I'll find myself standing in the middle of my kitchen with three things I need to prepare in the next hour- Get ice cream started so that it will be ready for when the twins get there the next day, that new recipe needs to get prepared so Chris can photograph it because he won't have time in the next few days, and make dinner. Then I start to get panicky/grouchy. It's times like this that I realize that I've made things far more complicated than they need to be.
This is when I take a deep breath and simplify. Ice cream can wait- Sophia can help me make it tomorrow when she gets here. I'll make the recipe right now so Chris can photograph it, then we'll go out to dinner. Simple. My to-do list? I'll suck it up and pay the extra $1.99 for strawberries at Whole Foods and Chris can wait one more day for his dry-cleaning. The wrap report? No one will know the difference if the logo is there or not so I'll focus my energy on getting other things done. The result? The subsequent deep breaths come much more easily.
I found myself in a similar situation with these truffles. I kept racking my brain on how to make them fancier, more creative, more different than all of the other chocolate truffles out there. "I could make them this way" and "I could top them with that" ran through my head as I tried desperately to fall asleep. When I finally decided to just keep it simple and make plain chocolate truffles, I was finally able to sleep.
The result was the best chocolate truffles I've ever tasted. Simple dark chocolate ganache enrobed in a layer of silky dark chocolate. I topped some with cacao nibs and the rest I just drizzled a little bit more of that melted dark chocolate. Nothing too fancy. Beautifully simple and absolutely decadent- just how chocolate truffles are meant to be.
They're the perfect reminder that things will be absolutely perfect if you leave them as simple as they already are.
Ingredients
- 1 cup dark vegan chocolate chips
- 1/2 cup coconut milk
- 1/2 tablespoon melted vegan butter
- 3/4 cup chopped dark chocolate
- 1 teaspoon coconut oil
- cacao nibs or vegan mini chocolate chips (enough for sprinkling)
Instructions
- Make the ganache first. Place the chocolate chips in a bowl. Set aside.
- Pour the coconut milk into a small pot on the stove and bring to a boil. Once it is boiling, remove it from heat and pour it over the chocolate chips. Let it sit for about 1-2 minutes and then stir until it is completely combined and smooth. Add the melted butter, stir and let it cool at room temperature. Once it has completely cooled, cover and refrigerate overnight.
- After the ganache has chilled overnight, line a baking sheet with waxed paper. Use a 1/2 tablespoon to scoop heaping spoonfuls and use your hands to roll the scoops into balls. Your hands WILL get messy but you'll be okay with it because they're covered in chocolate. It's okay if the balls are misshapen- just form ball-like shapes and then place the sheet in the refrigerator for 10-15 minutes. Once they've chilled, you can re-roll the balls into (mostly) perfect spheres. Return to the refrigerator for another 10-15 minutes.
- Now it's time to melt your chocolate. In a double boiler or in a glass dish on top of a pot of boiling water, melt the chocolate with the coconut oil. Stirring until it's completely smooth. Remove from heat.
- One by one, use a spoon to dip each ball of ganache into the chocolate and then carefully place it back on the lined baking sheet. Top each truffle with cacao nibs or mini chocolate chips (or nuts if you swing that way). Alternatively, you can not put a topping on them, let them cool completely, then drizzle more melted chocolate over them. Your choice.
- Keep chilled until ready to serve. Enjoy!
What can you simplify in your life?
Photography by Chris Miller
slywlf
Whoa - it's way too early in the morning for me to be craving chocolate 😉 These look and sound delectable - now I just need a special occasion to make them - I have to do that or I'd be making them weekly and have to buy a larger wardrobe 😛
keepinitkind
It's never too early to crave chocolate in my book. 😉
Caitlin
i think these truffles are far more decadent and delicious than any other variation you could have come up with. the insides look so smooth and velvety. i'm in awe.
you described me pretty much to a tee up there. i go crazy over trying to the best at everything and fitting in as much as i can to my schedule. but then i get really tired and grumpy, and i need to step back and realize than maybe i should just take a nap. sometimes naps are more important than checking EVERYTHING off the to-do list for the day.
keepinitkind
Thank you, Cailtin! I completely agree- naps are more important than to-do lists sometimes. My dog is always trying to remind me of this. I need to listen to her more often! 😉
Pixie
You are not alone in struggling to be the best and do the most you can! I do, too. If we can learn to let go like you described life would be more fun. 🙂
These truffles look amazing - and even more so since I'm starving! Can't wait to try them.
keepinitkind
Thank you, PIxie! 🙂
Lindsay
These look scrumptious! I want to make them this week!
keepinitkind
Thanks, Lindsay! Enjoy! 🙂
Amanda
I love this post. The recipe, the simplification of to-dos...it's a great reminder that things don't always need to be so complicated. I find myself trying to get everything done all at the same time and have to make it a point to take a step back and question whether that's really necessary. Usually, it's not and I'm just making things harder on myself. So silly!
I will definitely be making these truffles the next time I have a serious chocolate craving. 🙂
keepinitkind
Thank you, Amanda! Things never need to be as complicated as we make them. Taking a deep breath and letting your mind calm down is so much more important. 🙂
Abby @ The Frosted Vegan
I hear your words sister, I am the same way! It just feels like if I don't get it just right all the time I have somehow failed. But no, my sanity is much better than feeling worried or like crap at the end of the day!
keepinitkind
Isn't it funny how we make ourselves feel like we've failed when we decided to simplify things? In reality, we've actually succeeded. 🙂
Sol
Those truffles look amazing and I cannot wait to make them. I am the worst perfectionist and at the same time the worst procrastinator! I can just spend hours planning and making to-do lists so that I can be super efficient and get everything "perfect" the first time. If at the end of the day I haven't crossed all the items on my to-do list, I feel like a total loser. I've been working hard on letting go but habits die hard... It's a real challenge but life wouldn't be half as much fun without them. At least that's what I tell myself!
keepinitkind
Thank you, Sol. 🙂 You're right- overcoming challenges is one of the funnest parts of life!
Cadry
Wow, if this is what simplicity looks like, sign me up! Your truffles are absolutely gorgeous.
keepinitkind
Thank you, Cadry!
Beth
These look amazing! Thank you for sharing! And we are kindred souls on the over-achieving, must-do-everything-perfectly front. I always overthink and overdo, when no one is asking or expecting me to do that except myself. I rarely entertain because it gets too overwhelming for me because I think it has to be as though Martha Stewart were here. I need to get over that!
keepinitkind
Thank you, Beth! It's so funny that you say that- I am always reminding myself that it's okay that I'm not Martha Stewart. The world doesn't need two. 😉
Lindsay
What brand of dark chocolate and chocolate chips do you use?
keepinitkind
For chocolate chips, I like Whole Foods vegan chocolate chips. I also really like the barley-sweetened dark chocolate chips which I get at my local natural foods store.
As for dark chocolate, it varies. I tend to look for organic and fair-trade brands, though if I'm just looking for something semi-inexpensive, I use the Endangered Species brand. Not all of them are vegan, but I really like the 88% cocoa version and it's great for cooking/baking.
Emma
I am guilty of over-complicating things and making things harder than they need be. Simple can often be the best and these truffles, at least by the look of them, certainly prove that point.
keepinitkind
Thank you, Emma! 🙂
Kelly @ Vegan Iowan
You sound exactly like me - I start my day with the best of intentions to get so many things done, then feel stressed when I fall short. And when I'm trying to think of a new recipe, there's always the pressure to think of something that's never existed before. Thank you for this visually stunning and delicious reminder to simplify.
keepinitkind
Thank you, Kelly- it does sound like we're a lot alike! 🙂
Katie @ Produce on Parade
These are absolutely beautiful! I still haven't found vegan chocolate chips 🙁 What brand do you use?
keepinitkind
Thank you, Katie. I usually buy Whole Foods brand of vegan chocolate chips (I love that they have vegan in the title), though I haven't seen them in several weeks. My local natural foods store as barley-sweetened chocolate chips that I really like. When all else fails, I use a bar of vegan dark chocolate and chop it into chunks. 🙂
Hannah
And you, my dear, are also perfect just as you are. Gorgeous post.
keepinitkind
Thank you, my friend! 🙂
Andrea
I love the "imperfect" look of the truffles. They look hand-crafted rather than commercially made. I think of them as 'artful.'
keepinitkind
Thank you. I like to think of them that way too. 😉
Angela @ Canned Time
I'm the same way, especially in the kitchen. Those sure look perfect to me Kristy 😉
And thanks for the heads up on the organic beans.
Take care!
keepinitkind
Thank you, Angela! 🙂
Annie
These are beautiful, Kristy - no need to improve on perfection!
PS I totally, completely, wholeheartedly empathize with that self-generated pressure...
keepinitkind
Awww! Thank you, Annie! xx
Anna {Herbivore Triathletre}
I totally understand the pressure you put on yourself, I do the exact same thing. I am most definitely a perfectionist in all areas of my life. I make long to-do lists and then beat myself up when I don't cross every item off in the time frame I feel they should be done!
It's so important (but really hard!) to remember that those items can be done tomorrow or the next day. That sometimes it's okay not to be perfect! Deep breaths! Lol.
These truffles look amazing. I'd like a dozen please!
keepinitkind
Thanks, Anna! Coming right up! 😉
Gabby @ the veggie nook
Oh I can completely relate. I often can't sleep at night because I get so anxious thinking about all the things I have to get done- even if those things are only reading blogs, cooking and running a couple errands. Nothing is a big deal but I make it! I need to take your advice- keep it simple (stupid) 😉
These look just amazing, so rich and creamy!
keepinitkind
Thank you, Gabby! I am also very familiar with those sleepless nights. 🙂
Richa
yes to these truffles and yes to making time to breathe. I am usually like that if i invite someone over. it never works well coz i then screw up everything:)
keepinitkind
Haha! I'm the worst when I invite someone over! Luckily, Chris is the exact opposite in that department and it balances me out. 🙂
Heather
It is scary after reading your posts how much alike we are. I have gotten much better at trying not to fit a million and one things into one day - that equals a stressed out over tired and over whelmed Heather and that girl is not fun to be around. So I may not get the post done that I have been wanting to do, the laundry may not be put away right after it has been dry- I try to find balance and make sure that I am not always busy doing that I forget to enjoy- Justin is great at reminding me when i need to slow down and enjoy the day, and you know what the world doesn't end if I still have a few things on my to do list 🙂 I have worked so hard this past year to take things a little slower. These truffles do look perfect 🙂
keepinitkind
Thank you! And yes- tired, overwhelmed Kristy is no fun either!
Kat
oh yammm
Tim
This was great! I infused the coconut cream with lavender in one batch and yerbe mate in another and they both turned out extremely well! Thank you so much for the recipe~
jeancarl
can I use double cream instead of coconut milk
keepinitkind
I suppose you could, but I've not tried it. I recommend giving the coconut milk a try- it's a wonderful cruelty-free alternative!
Victoria
These look delicious...perfect for Valentine's Day! Quick question: d you use the coconut milk from a jar or carton? Thanks 🙂
keepinitkind
Thank you! I use coconut milk from a can- full-fat (not lite). 🙂
Ross
Thanks for sharing the recipe! I wanted to share a helpful tip I learned in the process. I put on latex gloves and coated them with oil before rolling the truffles into balls and they roll very easily and do not stick to the gloves at all. The oil trick would likely also work on bare hands.