Name: Christmas Fruit Mince Chocolate Truffles Recipe
Prep time: 40 min
Cook time: 5 min
Total time: 3 h 15 min
Cuisine: Western
Ingredients: 125 ml (½ cup) heavy whipping cream; 200 g (7 oz) dark cooking chocolate (70 % cocoa solids), finely chopped; ¼ teaspoon ground cinnamon; ⅓ cup fruit mince (homemade or store bought); 180 g (6 oz) milk cooking chocolate; 100 g (3 ½ oz) white cooking chocolate; 9 red glacé/candied cherries, halved

The rich aroma of dark chocolate meets the festive warmth of spiced fruit mince in this delightful treat that’s impossible to resist. This Christmas Fruit Mince Chocolate Truffles Recipe blends classic holiday flavors into bite-sized, luxurious morsels — perfect for gifting or savoring with a cozy cup of tea.

The image shows a close-up of a round dessert ball with three clear layers: the bottom is a smooth light brown base, the middle is a darker brown textured layer shaped like a sphere, and the top has white cream dripping down the sides. On the very top sits a shiny, deep red cherry. The dessert is placed on a round white stand on a white marbled surface. More similar dessert balls are in the background and foreground, some in a white bowl filled with dark red cherries. photo taken with an iphone --ar 2:3 --v 7

Jump to:

Why You'll Love This Recipe
Ingredients & Why They Work
Make It Your Way
Step-by-Step: How I Make Christmas Fruit Mince Chocolate Truffles Recipe
Top Tip
How to Serve Christmas Fruit Mince Chocolate Truffles Recipe
Make Ahead and Storage
Frequently Asked Questions:
Final Thoughts
Christmas Fruit Mince Chocolate Truffles Recipe

Why You'll Love This Recipe

I’ve always adored recipes that bring a twist to traditional flavors, and this Christmas Fruit Mince Chocolate Truffles fit the bill perfectly. They evoke holiday nostalgia but with a luxurious chocolate coating that feels oh-so-special.

Festive Flavor Fusion: Combining fruit mince with rich dark chocolate adds warmth and depth you won’t find in ordinary truffles.
Make-Ahead Convenience: You can prepare these days in advance — perfect for a stress-free holiday season.
Elegant Yet Simple: Despite looking fancy, the process is straightforward, even for beginner chocolatiers.
Customizable Presentation: You can dress them up with cherries or let the chocolate speak for itself – ideal for gifting or festive entertaining.

Ingredients & Why They Work

The blend of creamy heavy whipping cream and high-quality dark chocolate creates the perfect ganache base, while the fruit mince introduces a lovely festive spice and fruity sweetness. Choosing the right type of chocolate and quality fruit mince really elevates these truffles.

Flat lay of a small white ceramic bowl filled with thickened cream, finely chopped blocks of dark cooking chocolate, a small white bowl of ground cinnamon powder, a small white bowl of homemade fruit mince with visible raisins and chopped dried fruits, a simple white ceramic plate with even pieces of milk cooking chocolate, another small white bowl with smooth white cooking chocolate chunks, and a neat arrangement of nine halved bright red glacé cherries, all placed on a clean white marble surface, soft natural light, photo taken with an iPhone, professional food photography style, fresh ingredients, white ceramic bowls, no bottles, no duplicates, no utensils, no packaging --ar 2:3 --v 7 --p m7354615311229779997

Heavy whipping cream: Using full-fat cream ensures a luscious, silky texture in your truffle ganache.
Dark cooking chocolate (70% cocoa): The bitterness balances the fruity sweetness and spices, plus it melts beautifully.
Ground cinnamon: Adds that cozy holiday spice that ties the flavors together.
Fruit mince: I love homemade for its fresh, natural taste, but good store-bought fruit mince works well too — just pick one you enjoy eating on its own.
Milk cooking chocolate: For coating, it gives a sweet, creamy contrast to the dark truffle center.
White cooking chocolate: Perfect for drizzling or decorating – it adds a pretty touch and a sweeter note.
Red glacé/candied cherries: They make the truffles festive and add a pop of color plus a chewy texture.

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Note: You'll find the complete list of ingredients, along with their exact measurements, in the printable recipe card at the bottom of this post.

Make It Your Way

I like to tweak the amount of fruit mince depending on how intense I want the flavor – sometimes I add a touch more cinnamon for an extra festive kick. Don’t be shy about playing around with coatings: a dusting of cocoa or crushed nuts works beautifully too.

Variation: Once, I swapped in orange zest into the ganache which boosted the freshness – it’s a nice twist if you like citrus flavors with your chocolate.

Step-by-Step: How I Make Christmas Fruit Mince Chocolate Truffles Recipe

A white plate holds several round chocolate balls, each covered in a smooth milk chocolate layer. On top, a white chocolate drip flows down the sides of each ball, with a shiny bright red cherry set neatly on top. One chocolate ball is cut in half and placed on top, showing a dense, fudgy texture inside with small bits of nuts or fruit. The plate is set on a white marbled surface, and in the background, there is a small white bowl filled with a chunky dark brown spread. The overall look is neat, shiny, and rich with contrasting colors. photo taken with an iphone --ar 2:3 --v 7

Step 1: Gently Melt the Cream and Chocolate Together

Start by heating your heavy cream in a small saucepan over low heat until it’s just about to boil, but don’t let it actually bubble – this helps prevent burning. Turn off the heat and add in the chopped dark chocolate, stirring gently until it melts fully into a smooth ganache. This step is key: if your chocolate overheats, it might seize and get grainy, so patience is everything here.

Step 2: Combine with Fruit Mince and Spice, Then Chill

After your ganache cools for about 5 minutes, stir in the ground cinnamon and fruit mince until evenly mixed. Pour this fragrant mixture into a lined dish and pop it in the fridge for 1½ to 2 hours until it firms up nicely but isn’t rock hard — perfect for scooping.

Step 3: Scoop and Shape Your Truffles

I find using a small ice cream scoop handy to get consistent-sized balls. If you find the mixture a bit too firm to roll, just let it rest at room temperature for 5–10 minutes, then press and roll firmly to compact. Placing the formed balls on a lined tray, chill them again for at least half an hour to let the shape set.

Step 4: Melt the Coating Chocolate and Dip

Melt your milk and white chocolates gently using a double boiler or microwave in short bursts, stirring frequently. Let the melted chocolates cool slightly to avoid melting your truffle centers when dipping. Using two forks, dip each ball completely in milk chocolate, remove excess coating by gently tapping on the bowl’s edge, then place back on the tray.

Step 5: Decorate and Set

Once the milk chocolate coating is set but still a little tacky, drop a small amount of the white chocolate on top and press half a glacé cherry onto each truffle for that classic festive look. Chill again until fully set — then you’re ready to indulge or wrap up for gifting.

Top Tip

After several tries, I’ve learned a few things that really make your Christmas Fruit Mince Chocolate Truffles Recipe shine, so I’m happy to pass them on:

Manage Ganache Temperature: Always cool the ganache before adding fruit mince — too warm and the mixture can get runny and tricky to shape.
Melt Chocolate Gently: Using a double boiler prevents overheating and ensures smooth, glossy truffle coatings without graininess.
Work Quickly, Chill Often: Take your time dipping the truffles, but refrigerate them frequently to keep the centers firm and prevent melting.
Don’t Skip Lining the Dish: Using scrunched baking paper makes unmolding the truffle mix much easier and keeps your tray mess-free.

How to Serve Christmas Fruit Mince Chocolate Truffles Recipe

Christmas Mince Truffles - Serving Suggestion

Garnishes

I love topping the truffles with halved red glacé cherries—it lends a festive pop of color and a delightful chew. Sometimes, I sprinkle a little edible glitter or dust a few with cocoa powder for variety. These finishing touches make them festive and gift-ready.

Side Dishes

These truffles pair wonderfully with a warm mulled wine or spiced chai. I also enjoy serving them alongside a cheese platter with sharp cheddar and figs for a holiday gathering where sweet meets savory.

Creative Ways to Present

For holiday parties, I arrange the truffles in mini cupcake liners or beautiful holiday-themed paper cases. Another idea is to layer them gently in a glass jar tied with a festive ribbon — it’s a charming edible gift that looks as good as it tastes.

Make Ahead and Storage

Storing Leftovers

Once made, I keep the truffles in an airtight container in the fridge — they stay fresh and flavorful for up to one week. I like to separate layers with baking paper to keep them from sticking together.

Freezing

I’ve frozen these truffles successfully in an airtight container for up to three months. The chocolate coating might develop a slight white bloom when thawed, but that doesn’t affect the flavor—just let them come to room temperature before serving.

Reheating

Since these are no-bake truffles, I don’t recommend reheating. Instead, bring them to room temperature to soften slightly, which makes the flavors and texture just perfect for enjoying.

Frequently Asked Questions:

Can I use store-bought fruit mince for this recipe?

Absolutely! Store-bought fruit mince works fine. I recommend picking a good-quality, tasty brand, preferably vegetarian. Homemade fruit mince will add a fresher flavor, but store-bought is a great time saver.

What type of chocolate is best for these truffles?

For the ganache base, I use dark chocolate with about 70% cocoa solids for a nice balance of bitterness and sweetness, especially since the fruit mince adds its own richness. For coating, milk and white chocolates are perfect for their creamy sweetness and beautiful presentation.

How long can I keep these truffles?

You can store these truffles in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to one week. They keep well and the flavors deepen a bit over time! Just separate layers with baking paper to avoid sticking.

Can I freeze Christmas Fruit Mince Chocolate Truffles?

Yes, they freeze well for up to three months if stored in an airtight container. The chocolate might develop a white bloom after freezing, which is harmless. Just thaw them in the refrigerator and bring to room temperature before serving for the best texture.

Final Thoughts

This Christmas Fruit Mince Chocolate Truffles Recipe has become one of my holiday staples — from the first smooth bite to the little cherry on top, it’s a beautiful mix of tradition and indulgence. I sincerely hope you’ll enjoy making and sharing these as much as I do; they really bring a bit of magic to the season. So grab your chocolate and fruit mince, and let’s add a homemade touch of sweetness to your Christmas celebrations!