Chocolate Bonbons

Can you keep a secret? Good, because you’ve already found this recipe, so you’re just moments from learning that you can make delicious chocolate bonbons using just six ingredients. And the hands-on work isn’t difficult either. We won’t tell if you don’t!

A delightful candy to serve after a special meal, a good housewarming or holiday gift, or just a treat you can enjoy with a cup of afternoon tea, this chocolate bonbons recipe is one you’ll return to again and again. It’s also a recipe you can put your own spin on once you’ve learned how to make bonbons yourself.

Ingredients for Chocolate Bonbons

• Confectioners’ sugar: It’s no secret that something’s going to be sweet when it calls for 4 cups of confectioners’ sugar.
• Ground pecans or walnuts: You can use walnuts or pecans, or you could use 1/2 cup of each and blend them.
• Sweetened condensed milk: You’ll want to be precise when measuring the 1/2 cup plus 2 tablespoons of sweetened condensed milk. Nailing the measurements allows the consistency and texture to come out correctly.
• Butter: The butter needs to be softened when you use it in this recipe, so you’ll want to get it out of the refrigerator at least 30 minutes before you start prepping.
• Semisweet chocolate chips: Adding to the sweetness, here we find a full 3 cups of chocolate chips!
• Shortening: You can use an animal-based or plant-based shortening interchangeably in this chocolate bonbon recipe.

Directions

Step 1: Make the filling

In a large bowl, combine the confectioners’ sugar, nuts, milk and butter.

Step 2: Form the bonbon balls

Roll the filling into 1-inch balls, and place them on waxed paper-lined baking sheets. Cover the balls and refrigerate them overnight.

Step 3: Melt the chocolate and coat the bonbons

In a microwave, melt the chocolate chips and shortening, and stir until the mixture is smooth. Dip the balls in the chocolate, allowing any excess to drip off. Place each bonbon on waxed paper and let them stand until set.

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Chocolate Bonbon Variations

• Try them with hazelnuts: Swapping the walnuts or pecans with ground hazelnuts will lead to a truly tasty bonbon. Hazelnuts can be a bit harder to find, but the search will be worth it.
• Add a bit of spice: Adding 1/2 teaspoon of cayenne pepper when you melt the chocolate lends a bit of a kick that greatly accentuates the other flavors.
• Roll them in coconut: Just after dipping the bonbons in chocolate, roll them in coconut flakes to add one more layer of texture and flavor to these sweets.

How to Store Chocolate Bonbons

Keep your candies in the refrigerator, covered, for up to five days.

Can you freeze these bonbons?

Yes, you can freeze these bonbons for up to three months. They will thaw at room temperature in an hour or so.

Chocolate Bonbon Tips

ELLIE CROWLEY FOR TASTE OF HOME

What can I do if my bonbons are too soft to dip in the chocolate?

If the balls are too soft to dip even after chilling in the fridge, freeze them until they’re firmer, which will take only three to five minutes.

What’s the best way to melt chocolate for bonbons?

Melt the chocolate chips with shortening in the microwave as directed. Or, melt chocolate over the stovetop using a double-boiler method: Place the chocolate and shortening in a heatproof bowl that fits over your pot of simmering water, and continue to stir the chocolate until it’s melty.

How do you make chocolate bonbons shiny?

The addition of shortening in this recipe will help prevent the chocolate from blooming and will keep the chocolate nice and shiny. These chocolate bonbons do need to be refrigerated, however, so you’ll lose some glossiness due to the chill.