Cranberry Pistachio White Chocolate Truffles Recipe

Heavenly Cranberry Pistachio White Chocolate Truffles Recipe

Sweet indulgence meets artisan craftsmanship in these cranberry pistachio white chocolate truffles that promise a delightful sensory journey.

Luxurious ingredients blend seamlessly to create a confection that elevates everyday moments into something extraordinary.

Each truffle represents a miniature canvas of flavor, where creamy white chocolate provides a smooth backdrop for tart cranberries and crunchy pistachios.

Rich textures intertwine, creating a harmonious symphony of taste that dances across your palate.

The subtle complexity of these truffles revolutionizes simple ingredients into an elegant dessert experience that feels both sophisticated and comforting.

Unexpected combinations challenge traditional truffle expectations, offering a fresh perspective on classic confectionery techniques.

Crafting these truffles becomes an invitation to culinary creativity and sensory exploration.

What Makes These Truffles Stand Out

  • Craft Irresistible Holiday Treat: These truffles blend creamy, tangy, and sweet flavors in a delightful bite-sized dessert perfect for festive gatherings.
  • Elevate No-Bake Dessert Skills: Create impressive gourmet truffles without turning on the oven, making it an easy yet sophisticated recipe for home cooks of all levels.
  • Texture Party in Your Mouth: Experience a delightful combination of smooth white chocolate coating, soft cream cheese center, and crunchy pistachio bits that create an exciting sensory experience.
  • Quick Elegant Entertaining Solution: Prepare these truffles in advance, store in the refrigerator, and serve as a stunning dessert that looks professionally made but takes minimal effort to create.

What Goes into Cranberry Pistachio Truffles

Base Ingredients:
  • Cream Cheese: Soft and smooth base that provides creamy texture and rich foundation for truffles.
  • Powdered Sugar: Adds sweetness and helps bind the truffle mixture with a smooth consistency.
Flavor Enhancers:
  • Vanilla Extract: Provides classic sweet aroma and depth of flavor.
  • Almond Extract: Adds subtle nutty undertone and complements other ingredients.
Filling and Coating Ingredients:
  • Dried Cranberries, Pistachios: Chewy and crunchy mix-ins that offer texture contrast and bursts of fruity and nutty flavors.
  • White Chocolate: Smooth coating that melts beautifully and creates a luxurious exterior for the truffles.
  • Additional Pistachios, Cranberries: Optional garnish for extra visual appeal and texture on finished truffles.

Rolling and Coating These Elegant Bites

Step 1: Prepare Cream Cheese Base

In a large mixing bowl, whip cream cheese until silky and smooth. Gently fold in powdered sugar, vanilla extract, and almond extract, blending until perfectly combined.

Step 2: Add Fruity Crunch

Incorporate chopped cranberries and pistachios into the cream cheese mixture, ensuring an even distribution of delightful texture and flavor.

Step 3: Shape Truffle Balls

Line a baking sheet with parchment paper. Using a small cookie scoop or spoon, create uniform balls from the cream cheese mixture:
  • Roll each portion between your palms
  • Aim for consistent bite-sized spheres

Step 4: Initial Chilling

Place truffle balls on the prepared baking sheet. Refrigerate for at least 1 hour until they become firm and hold their shape.

Step 5: Melt White Chocolate

Create a double boiler by placing a heatproof bowl over a pot of simmering water. Slowly melt white chocolate, stirring continuously until smooth and glossy.

Step 6: Chocolate Coating

Dip each chilled truffle into melted white chocolate:
  • Use a fork or specialized dipping tool
  • Ensure complete and even coverage
  • Allow excess chocolate to drip off

Step 7: Add Final Garnish

Return chocolate-coated truffles to the baking sheet. Sprinkle with additional:
  • Chopped pistachios
  • Chopped cranberries

Step 8: Final Chilling

Refrigerate truffles for an additional 30 minutes until chocolate sets completely.

Step 9: Serve and Enjoy

Serve chilled, delighting in the creamy, crunchy, and sweet combination of flavors.

Prep Time: 1 hour 15 minutes

Chilling Time: 1 hour 30 minutes

Total Time: 2 hours 45 minutes

Servings: Approximately 20-24 truffles

Tips to Keep Truffles Smooth and Sweet

  • Chill for Perfection: Refrigerate the cream cheese mixture for at least an hour to ensure the truffles hold their shape and are easy to roll.
  • Smooth Dipping Technique: Use a fork or specialized dipping tool to coat truffles evenly in white chocolate, tapping off excess for a clean, professional finish.
  • Temperature Control: Melt white chocolate gently over simmering water, stirring constantly to prevent burning and achieve a silky smooth consistency.
  • Garnish with Precision: Sprinkle chopped pistachios and cranberries immediately after dipping while the chocolate is still wet for maximum adhesion.
  • Storage Secrets: Keep truffles refrigerated in an airtight container for up to 5 days to maintain their texture and flavor integrity.

How to Store Truffles Without Melting the Magic

  • Refrigeration: Store truffles in an airtight container between layers of parchment paper to prevent sticking, keeping them fresh for up to 5 days.
  • Freezing: Wrap truffles individually in plastic wrap, place in a freezer-safe container, and freeze for maximum 3 months; thaw in refrigerator overnight before serving.
  • Serving Chilled: Always serve directly from refrigerator to maintain texture and prevent chocolate coating from melting, ensuring the best taste and presentation.

Best Pairings for These Holiday Treats

  • Pair with Festive Dessert Wine: Select a sweet moscato or port wine to complement the truffles' rich white chocolate and nutty pistachio flavors, creating a delightful dessert experience.
  • Match with Spiced Tea: Brew a warm chai or cinnamon tea that enhances the cranberry's tartness and balances the creamy white chocolate, offering a cozy and comforting contrast.
  • Serve with Vanilla-Infused Coffee: Enjoy a smooth vanilla latte or cappuccino alongside these truffles, as the coffee's warmth and subtle sweetness perfectly highlight the dessert's delicate textures and flavors.
  • Complement with Sparkling Rosé: Choose a light, slightly sweet sparkling rosé that cuts through the richness of the truffles while adding a celebratory touch to the dessert.

Flavor Ideas to Change Up These Truffles

  • Chocolate Nutty Fusion: Replace white chocolate with dark chocolate for a rich, intense flavor. Swap cranberries with dried cherries to add a deeper, slightly tart note that complements the dark chocolate coating.
  • Tropical Coconut Crunch: Incorporate shredded coconut into the cream cheese mixture and roll truffles in toasted coconut flakes. Use milk chocolate for coating and add a pinch of sea salt to enhance the overall taste profile.
  • Orange Zesty Sensation: Mix in fresh orange zest to the cream cheese base for a citrusy kick. Replace pistachios with roasted almonds and use white chocolate with orange extract for a bright, refreshing variation.
  • No-Bake Vegan Alternative: Substitute cream cheese with cashew cream or coconut cream. Use dairy-free white chocolate chips and replace extracts with pure vanilla bean paste. Coat with crushed raw pistachios and dried cranberries for added texture and authenticity.
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Cranberry Pistachio White Chocolate Truffles Recipe

Cranberry Pistachio White Chocolate Truffles Recipe


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4.7 from 12 reviews

  • Total Time: 1 hour 15 minutes
  • Yield: 20 1x

Description

Cranberry pistachio white chocolate truffles combine luxurious French chocolate techniques with festive holiday flair. Jewel-toned dried cranberries and crunchy pistachios create an elegant confection sure to delight chocolate enthusiasts at any seasonal gathering.


Ingredients

Scale

Main Ingredients:

  • 8 ounces (226 grams) cream cheese, softened
  • 16 ounces (454 grams) white chocolate, melted
  • 1 cup (150 grams) dried cranberries, chopped
  • 1 cup (125 grams) shelled pistachios, chopped

Sweeteners and Flavorings:

  • 3 cups (360 grams) powdered sugar
  • 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
  • ½ teaspoon almond extract

Garnish (Optional):

  • Chopped pistachios
  • Chopped cranberries

Instructions

  1. In a spacious mixing vessel, whip the cream cheese until velvety and uniform in texture.
  2. Gently incorporate powdered sugar, vanilla, and almond extracts, blending until the mixture achieves a smooth, cohesive consistency.
  3. Fold chopped cranberries and pistachios throughout the cream cheese base, ensuring even distribution of the nutty and fruity elements.
  4. Prepare a parchment-lined baking tray to serve as a staging area for the truffles.
  5. Employ a small cookie scoop to portion the cream cheese mixture, then carefully roll each portion into delicate, uniform spheres.
  6. Arrange the newly formed truffle balls on the prepared tray, then transfer to the refrigerator for a minimum of one hour to solidify and develop structure.
  7. When the truffles have firmed, create a double boiler by positioning a heatproof bowl over simmering water to melt the white chocolate, stirring until completely smooth and glossy.
  8. Using a fork or specialized dipping tool, immerse each chilled truffle into the molten white chocolate, ensuring complete and elegant coverage.
  9. Return the chocolate-enrobed truffles to the parchment-lined tray, immediately sprinkling with additional finely chopped pistachios and cranberries for visual appeal and textural contrast.
  10. Return the decorated truffles to the refrigerator for an additional 30 minutes to allow the chocolate coating to set completely.
  11. Serve directly from the refrigerator for optimal texture and flavor preservation.

Notes

  • Chilling helps these truffles develop a rich, creamy texture that melts smoothly in your mouth.
  • Dipping in white chocolate creates a luxurious coating that complements the tangy cranberries and nutty pistachios.
  • Make these ahead of time for stress-free entertaining or as a thoughtful homemade gift for friends and family.
  • Prep Time: 1 hour 15 minutes
  • Category: Desserts, Snacks
  • Method: None
  • Cuisine: American

Nutrition

  • Serving Size: 20
  • Calories: 194
  • Sugar: 24 g
  • Sodium: 55 mg
  • Fat: 10 g
  • Saturated Fat: 5 g
  • Unsaturated Fat: 4.5 g
  • Trans Fat: 0 g
  • Carbohydrates: 27 g
  • Fiber: 1 g
  • Protein: 2 g
  • Cholesterol: 20 mg
Alex Reed

Alex Reed

Founder & Lead Content Writer

Expertise

Recipe Development and Testing​, Culinary Education​, Food Writing and Blogging​, Sustainable Cooking Practices, Global Cuisine Exploration

Education

Johnson & Wales University

  • Degree: Bachelor of Science in Culinary Arts
  • Focus: Comprehensive training in classical and contemporary cooking techniques, kitchen management, and menu development. Emphasized hands-on experience in diverse culinary traditions.​

Le Cordon Bleu Paris

  • Program: Diplôme de Cuisine
  • Focus: Advanced instruction in French culinary techniques, including sauce preparation, pâtisserie, and haute cuisine.​

Alex Reed is an inventive chef and food creator with a passion for dishes that balance taste, health, and sustainability. 

Trained at Portland Community College and holding an Advanced Pastry Arts certificate from Oregon Culinary Institute, Alex brings more than 10 years of practical culinary experience to every recipe he develops. 

His background uniquely blends traditional cooking skills with modern, mindful eating principles. As the founder of Beard and Bonnet, Alex creates recipes that encourage readers to cook confidently.

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