Chocolate Pumpkin Truffles Recipe (2024)

Rich and decadent chocolate pumpkin truffles combine fudgy ganache and pumpkin spice for the perfect easy fall dessert. Whip up a batch for the adults, but hide them from the kids because everyone loves them!

It's true of every holiday, but especially of Halloween: it really is the candy holiday! I couldn’t let spooky season come and go without making some kind of festive candy.

For me, Halloween evokes images of jack o’ lanterns, ghosts, witches, and last but not least, candy (because of my childhood trick-or-treating days!).

But not all candy is created equal.

Instead of the sugar coma-inducing candy that has only one flavor (sweet!), let's make a grown-up candy.

This chocolate pumpkin spice truffle candy is loved by kids and adults alike. And if I had to label a certain flavor as depicting Halloween, these truffles would be it.

With warm spices, pumpkin, and dark chocolate all you need is a crackling fire, a good book, and a hot mug of pumpkin spice tea for the perfect fall evening!

The Best Easy Pumpkin Truffles Recipe

Ingredients in Chocolate Pumpkin Spice Truffles

In this section I explain the ingredients and give substitution ideas. For the full recipe (including ingredient amounts), see the recipe card below.

• Unsweetened canned pumpkin puree - not pumpkin pie filling
• Heavy whipping cream - make sure you don't get light cream or half and half here; we need heavy whipping cream to make sure these truffles set properly
• Butter - for richness, and to help our chocolate truffles set with the perfect fudgy ganache-like texture
• Light brown sugar - pairs really well with pumpkin for a touch of sweetness and a hint of molasses flavor
• Pumpkin pie spice - store-bought pumpkin pie spice mix is usually a blend of cinnamon, nutmeg, ginger, cloves, and allspice
• Sea salt - salt is a natural flavor enhancer that helps create a balanced flavor profile
• Vanilla - for flavor and aroma
• Semisweet chocolate chips - or bittersweet chocolate chips if you prefer

Topping Ideas for Pumpkin Truffles

There are so many different things you can use to coat pumpkin truffles! Here are a few ideas:

• Sprinkles
• Unsweetened cocoa powder
• Chopped nuts
• Mini chocolate chips
• Crushed graham crackers

How to Make Pumpkin Spice Truffles

Step 1: Make the Pumpkin Ganache

Add the pumpkin, cream, butter, brown sugar, pumpkin pie spice, and salt to a medium saucepan over medium heat. Bring to a boil, and then cook for 3 minutes, stirring constantly. (You can turn the heat down slightly if it starts boiling too vigorously.)

Stir in the vanilla, and then remove from the heat. Add the chocolate chips, let it sit for 2 minutes without stirring, and then stir gently until all the chocolate is melted.

Step 2: Chill

Transfer the mixture to a bowl and cool to room temperature. Cover the bowl and refrigerate to chill (the mixture will set as it chills), about 4 hours.

Step 3: Scoop and Roll

Use a 1-tablespoon scoop to measure out the truffle mixture. Roll them into balls, and roll each ball in any toppings you like.

Serve.

See Also

Hindbaersnitter (Danish Raspberry Slices) RecipeIntolerance-friendly croissants: the recipe Georgia McDermott took 100 tests to nail downPotthucke: A Savory German Potato Cake Recipe | FoodalAylenish Rugelach With Orange, Walnuts and Cinnamon Recipe

Variations on This Recipe

• Chocolate - Instead of semisweet chocolate chips, you can use any type of chocolate chips you like. I prefer chocolate on the darker side (which is less sweet and more bitter), so bittersweet chocolate chips are my favorite here. Or if you like white chocolate, feel free to use white chocolate chips (white chocolate is sweeter, so you can omit the brown sugar if you do).
• Toppings - You can really get creative with the truffle coatings here. You could even coat them in melted chocolate and decorate the tops with sprinkles or finely chopped nuts for an elegant look.

Storage

Store these no bake pumpkin truffles in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 2 weeks.

These are the fall perfect treat to have on hand in October when friends unexpectedly pop by! Feed them candy, lol.

Homemade Pumpkin Truffles FAQs

What is a Truffle?

That question depends on whether you're talking about dessert or fungi.

Here, let's tackle dessert truffles.

Chocolate truffles are typically made of chocolate ganache, which is a mixture of chocolate and cream. Once the ganache sets (i.e., cools), truffles are frequently coated in cocoa powder, melted chocolate, chopped nuts, etc.

What Type of Chocolate is Best for Truffles?

For this recipe I recommend semisweet chocolate, or bittersweet chocolate if you prefer the flavor of dark chocolate.

Also, note that you don't have to use chocolate bars to make truffles. I find that good quality chocolate chips (such as Ghirardelli, Guittard, Pascha, etc.) work well here.

More Pumpkin Desserts to Make

• Pumpkin Coffee Cake Recipe with New York Crumb Cake Topping
• Brown Sugar Pumpkin Spice Granola Recipe
• Pumpkin Spice Latte Snack Cake with Brown Butter Buttercream

Let's Connect

Did you make this recipe? Please rate it and leave a comment below. You can also tag @anediblemosaic on social media.

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This post was first published on An Edible Mosaic on October 28, 2009, and updated on October 11, 2023.