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1
Place 1 pound of the chocolate in a 2-quart mixing bowl.
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2
In a 1-quart saucepan over medium heat, bring the cream to a boil.
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3
Pour the cream into the bowl with the chocolate.
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4
Let the mixture stand for 1 minute, then stir together with a rubber spatula, whisk, or immersion blender until thoroughly blended.
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5
Add the cognac and chopped macadamia nuts and stir to blend well.
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6
Cover the truffle cream, let cool to room temperature, and refrigerate until thick but not stiff (3 to 4 hours).
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7
Or let the truffle cream sit at room temperature for several hours or overnight until completely set and thick.
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8
Place the truffle cream in the bowl of a stand mixer fitted with the paddle attachment.
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9
Beat at medium speed until the mixture thickens and forms light peaks (about 1 minute).
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10
Do not beat too long or the mixture will curdle and become grainy.
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11
Line 2 baking sheets with parchment or waxed paper.
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12
Fit a 12-inch pastry bag with a large, plain round pastry tip with a 3/4-inch opening and fill partway with the truffle cream.
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13
Holding the pastry bag 1 inch above the paper, pipe out mounds 1 inch in diameter.
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14
Or use a small ice cream scoop to form the mounds.
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15
Cover the mounds with plastic wrap and chill in the freezer for 2 hours or in the refrigerator for 6 hours.
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16
Dust your hands with confectioners sugar and roll the mounds into balls.
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17
These will be the truffle centers.
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18
Cover and chill the centers for another 2 hours in the freezer.
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19
Remove the truffle centers from the freezer and bring to coolroom temperature so the outer coating wont crack when they are dipped.
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20
Line 2 more baking sheets with parchment or waxed paper.
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21
Melt and temper the remaining 1 1/2 pounds chocolate (see pages 2530).
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22
Place a truffle center into the tempered chocolate, coating it completely.
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23
With a dipper or fork, remove the center from the chocolate, carefully shake off the excess chocolate, and turn the truffle out onto the paper.
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24
After dipping 4 truffles, sprinkle a pinch of the ground macadamia nuts on top of each truffle before the chocolate sets up.
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25
Let the truffles set up at room temperature, or chill them in the refrigerator for 10 to 15 minutes.
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26
When the truffles are set, place them in paper candy cups.
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27
In a tightly covered container wrapped in several layers of aluminum foil, the truffles will keep for 1 month in the refrigerator or 2 months in the freezer.
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28
The truffles are best served at room temperature.
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29
Instead of dipping the truffle centers in chocolate, roll them in a small bowl of confectioners sugar or finely ground macadamia nuts as soon as they are formed.
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30
Pistachio Truffles: Substitute toasted, unsalted pistachio nuts for the macadamia nuts.
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31
Brazil Nut Truffles: Substitute toasted, unsalted Brazil nuts for the macadamia nuts.
