If you’re looking for a delightful seasonal treat that perfectly captures the essence of autumn, look no further than this Pumpkin Truffles Recipe. These bite-sized delights combine the creamy richness of pumpkin and cream cheese with the warm spices of pumpkin pie spice and cinnamon, all enveloped in a luscious milk chocolate coating. They’re not only incredibly satisfying but also surprisingly simple to make, making them a perfect sweet indulgence to share with friends and family during cozy fall gatherings or festive celebrations.
Ingredients You’ll Need
Preparing this Pumpkin Truffles Recipe only calls for a handful of simple yet essential ingredients, each playing a crucial role in creating the perfect balance of flavor, texture, and that inviting autumnal color you crave.
- Cream cheese, 4 ounces (1/2 a block), softened: Adds a smooth, creamy base that binds everything together with richness.
- Powdered sugar, 2 tablespoons: Sweetens gently and helps achieve a silky texture.
- Pumpkin puree, 1/3 cup (NOT pumpkin pie filling): Brings fresh pumpkin flavor and moisture to the truffles.
- Finely ground graham cracker crumbs, 1 ¾ cups: Provides a wonderful crumbly texture and a subtle nuttiness.
- Pumpkin pie spice, 1 teaspoon: Infuses every bite with the classic autumn spice blend.
- Cinnamon, ½ teaspoon: Enhances the warm spice notes beautifully.
- Milk chocolate melting wafers, 10-ounce bag: Coats the truffles in a smooth, sweet shell for the perfect finish.
- Extra graham cracker crumbs or English toffee bits (optional): Adds a delightful crunch and pretty topping to the finished truffles.
How to Make Pumpkin Truffles Recipe
Step 1: Cream the Base
Begin by softening the cream cheese and powdered sugar in a mixing bowl. Beat them together with a mixer until the mixture is luxuriously creamy and smooth. This forms the dreamy foundation for your truffles and ensures they’ll have that velvety texture everyone loves.
Step 2: Add Pumpkin Puree
Next, mix in the pumpkin puree at medium speed until fully combined. This step brings that unmistakable pumpkin flavor front and center while keeping your mixture moist but manageable.
Step 3: Mix in Dry Ingredients
Incorporate the ground graham cracker crumbs, pumpkin pie spice, and cinnamon, continuing to mix until the dough is thick and fully blended. This step creates the dense, spiced, and subtly sweet mixture that will hold together perfectly for rolling.
Step 4: Chill the Mixture
Transfer the dough to a small bowl, cover it, and refrigerate for approximately 2 hours. Cooling the mixture makes it easier to handle and helps the flavors meld beautifully.
Step 5: Shape the Truffles
Prepare a baking sheet lined with parchment paper, ensuring it fits comfortably in your fridge. Scoop out small tablespoons of the chilled dough and shape each into a 1-inch diameter ball. Place each ball about 2 inches apart on the sheet. You should have around 20 truffles total.
Step 6: Chill Before Dipping
Cover the tray and chill the shaped truffles in the refrigerator for another 20-25 minutes to firm up before dipping.
Step 7: Melt the Chocolate
In a microwave-safe bowl, melt the milk chocolate wafers in 10-15 second bursts at full power, stirring in between until completely smooth. Be careful not to overheat, or the chocolate could seize.
Step 8: Dip the Truffles
Using a fork, dip each truffle into the melted chocolate, ensuring it’s fully coated. Lift and scrape off excess chocolate, then gently place the coated truffle back on the parchment-lined sheet with the help of another fork to keep them looking pristine.
Step 9: Add Toppings and Set
While the chocolate is still wet, sprinkle extra graham cracker crumbs or English toffee bits on top for added texture and flair. Allow the chocolate to harden completely, then refrigerate again until fully set. Your Pumpkin Truffles Recipe treats are now ready for enjoyment!
How to Serve Pumpkin Truffles Recipe
Garnishes
Sprinkle a pinch of finely crushed graham crackers, toffee bits, or even a dusting of cinnamon for an inviting presentation that hints at the delicious layers inside.
Side Dishes
Serve these truffles alongside a warm cup of spiced chai tea or pumpkin spice latte to create a cozy, complementary flavor experience that celebrates fall’s best spices and aromas.
Creative Ways to Present
Arrange your Pumpkin Truffles Recipe on a rustic wooden board, nestled among autumn leaves and tiny pumpkins for a charming and festive display. Wrapping them individually in colorful foil makes them perfect little gifts too!
Make Ahead and Storage
Storing Leftovers
Store leftover pumpkin truffles in an airtight container in the refrigerator. They will stay fresh and flavorful for up to one week, making them a convenient treat to enjoy anytime.
Freezing
If you want to keep them longer, freeze the truffles in a single layer on a baking sheet until firm, then transfer to a freezer-safe container. They freeze beautifully for up to 3 months without losing taste or texture.
Reheating
Allow frozen truffles to thaw in the refrigerator overnight before serving. Avoid microwaving as it can melt the chocolate coating and affect texture.
FAQs
Can I use pumpkin pie filling instead of pumpkin puree?
For the best results, stick to pure pumpkin puree because pumpkin pie filling contains added sugars and spices that can throw off the balance of flavors in the truffles.
Is it possible to make these truffles dairy-free?
Yes! You can substitute cream cheese with vegan cream cheese and use dairy-free chocolate wafers to make this recipe suitable for dairy-free diets.
How long do Pumpkin Truffles stay fresh?
When stored properly in the refrigerator, these truffles stay fresh for about a week. The chocolate coating helps preserve the creamy interior perfectly.
Can I use dark or white chocolate instead of milk chocolate?
Absolutely! Dark or white chocolate works wonderfully and adds a different flavor dimension. Just choose melting wafers or good-quality chocolate for the best coating.
What’s the best way to grind the graham crackers?
Place graham cracker sheets in a food processor and pulse until finely ground, or put them into a sealed plastic bag and crush with a rolling pin for a rustic texture.
Final Thoughts
I truly hope you give this Pumpkin Truffles Recipe a try because it’s one of those sweet treats that feels special yet is so simple to pull together. Whether you’re treating yourself or sharing with loved ones, these truffles capture the cozy, spiced magic of fall in every bite. Happy baking and even happier indulging!
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Pumpkin Truffles Recipe
- Total Time: 2 hours 30 minutes
- Yield: 20 servings
- Diet: Vegetarian
Description
These Pumpkin Truffles are creamy, festive bite-sized treats perfect for fall gatherings or holiday celebrations. Made with pumpkin puree, cream cheese, graham cracker crumbs, and coated in smooth melted chocolate, these no-bake truffles combine warm spices and rich chocolate in every luscious bite. Simple to prepare and chilled to set, they provide a delightful balance of autumn flavors and sweet indulgence.
Ingredients
Truffle Base
- 4 ounces (1/2 a block) cream cheese, softened
- 2 Tablespoons powdered sugar
- 1/3 cup pumpkin puree (NOT pumpkin pie filling)
- 1 ¾ cups finely ground graham cracker crumbs (approximately 10–11 graham sheets)
- 1 teaspoon pumpkin pie spice
- ½ teaspoon cinnamon
Chocolate Coating and Toppings
- 10 ounce bag milk chocolate melting wafers (can use dark or white chocolate)
- Extra graham cracker crumbs or English toffee bits (optional, to top the truffles)
Instructions
- Prepare the Cream Cheese Mixture: Add 4 ounces of softened cream cheese and 2 tablespoons of powdered sugar into a mixing bowl. Using a stand mixer or hand mixer, beat the ingredients until the mixture is creamy and smooth.
- Add Pumpkin Puree: Incorporate 1/3 cup of pumpkin puree into the cream cheese mixture. Mix at medium speed until fully combined and smooth, ensuring a consistent texture.
- Combine Dry Ingredients: Add 1 ¾ cups of finely ground graham cracker crumbs, 1 teaspoon pumpkin pie spice, and ½ teaspoon cinnamon to the bowl. Mix on medium speed until everything is fully incorporated and the dough is smooth and thick, about 1-2 minutes.
- Chill Dough: Transfer the dough into a small bowl, cover it with plastic wrap or a lid, and refrigerate for approximately 2 hours or longer if needed to firm up the dough for easier handling.
- Prepare Baking Sheet: Line a baking sheet with parchment paper and ensure it will fit in your refrigerator for chilling the formed truffles later. Use two smaller baking sheets if necessary.
- Form Truffles: Using a small tablespoon or cookie scoop, scoop dough and roll into uniform balls about 1 inch in diameter with your hands. Place each ball onto the prepared baking sheet, spacing them about 2 inches apart. This should yield approximately 20 truffles.
- Chill Again: Cover the truffles loosely and chill in the refrigerator for 20-25 minutes to firm them before dipping.
- Melt Chocolate: Add 10 ounces of milk chocolate melting wafers into a microwave-safe bowl. Microwave at 100% power in 10-15 second intervals, stirring after each interval until the chocolate is fully melted and smooth. Be careful not to overheat the chocolate.
- Dip Truffles: Remove the chilled truffle dough balls from the refrigerator. Using a fork, gently drop one truffle at a time into the melted chocolate, using the fork to maneuver and fully coat each truffle.
- Remove Excess Chocolate: Lift the dipped truffle out with the fork and scrape the bottom of the fork against the bowl’s edge to remove extra chocolate.
- Place on Baking Sheet: Carefully place the coated truffle back onto the prepared baking sheet, using a second fork to slide under the truffle so the sides remain blemish-free.
- Repeat: Repeat the dipping and placing process for all remaining truffles. If any areas on the truffles are not fully covered after hardening, re-dip those spots in chocolate.
- Decorate: Immediately sprinkle the tops of the chocolate-coated truffles with extra graham cracker crumbs or English toffee bits if desired before the chocolate hardens.
- Set and Chill: Allow the truffles to set to a hard shell. Place them back in the refrigerator to fully set before serving.
- Serve: These truffles can be kept refrigerated until serving. They can remain at room temperature for a few hours when ready to serve to soften the chocolate slightly.
Notes
- Use pumpkin puree, not pumpkin pie filling, for the best flavor and texture.
- Ensure cream cheese is softened to blend easily and create a smooth dough.
- Refrigeration times are important to firm the mixture for easy rolling and dipping.
- Chocolate melting wafers melt smoothly and make dipping simpler, but good quality chocolate chips can be substituted.
- Sprinkling with toffee or graham crumbs adds a nice texture contrast and decorative finish.
- Store these truffles refrigerated in an airtight container to maintain freshness.
- Letting truffles warm slightly before serving improves the flavor and softens the chocolate.
- Prep Time: 20 minutes
- Cook Time: 10 minutes
- Category: Dessert
- Method: No-Cook
- Cuisine: American
