Candies, truffles, prepared-from-recipe
Whole food · Sweets
Photo: Wikipedia
A luxurious, handcrafted confection made from a rich chocolate ganache center, often infused with flavors like coffee, fruit, or liqueur, and coated in a delicate shell of tempered chocolate or cocoa powder. The texture is a velvety, melt-in-your-mouth experience, offering an intense, decadent burst of flavor. Nutritionally, it's a dense energy source, with a high fat and sugar content per gram.
Calorie split: 5% protein · 35% carbs · 60% fat
↓ Full nutrition💚 Why it's loved
People adore truffles for their intense, complex flavors and the luxurious, velvety texture that dissolves on the tongue. They are a versatile canvas for creativity, making them a perfect gift and a staple in celebratory cultures worldwide.
⚠️ Watch-outs & how to enjoy it better
The high sugar and saturated fat content can contribute to blood-sugar spikes and is not ideal for those monitoring calorie intake or managing conditions like diabetes. To mitigate this, enjoy a single truffle slowly, perhaps paired with a bitter espresso or unsweetened tea to balance the sweetness, and ensure it's part of an otherwise balanced meal.
Key benefits
- Provides a quick source of energy from carbohydrates and fats.
- Contains antioxidants like flavonoids from cocoa solids.
- Can be a source of small amounts of minerals like iron and magnesium.
- Often used as a mood-enhancing treat due to compounds like theobromine.
- Serves as a concentrated, portion-controlled indulgence.
🍽️ Popular dishes
🌍 Where it's eaten
💡 Did you know?
The classic chocolate truffle was reportedly invented by accident in the 1920s when a French chef's apprentice spilled hot cream into a bowl of chocolate chunks, creating a ganache that was then rolled into balls to mimic the prized truffle fungus.
Full nutrition (USDA data · scales with serving)
| Water | 13.5 g |
| Energy | 510 kcal |
| Energy | 2133 kj |
| Protein | 6.2 g |
| Total lipid (fat) | 33.8 g |
| Ash | 1.4 g |
| Carbohydrate, by difference | 44.9 g |
| Fiber, total dietary | 2.5 g |
| Total Sugars | 38.3 g |
| Calcium, Ca | 157 mg |
| Iron, Fe | 1.8 mg |
| Magnesium, Mg | 48.0 mg |
| Phosphorus, P | 171 mg |
| Potassium, K | 297 mg |
| Sodium, Na | 68.0 mg |
| Zinc, Zn | 1.6 mg |
| Copper, Cu | 0.37 mg |
| Manganese, Mn | 0.35 mg |
| Selenium, Se | 3.4 ug |
| Vitamin C, total ascorbic acid | 0.10 mg |
| Thiamin | 0.09 mg |
| Riboflavin | 0.25 mg |
| Niacin | 0.30 mg |
| Pantothenic acid | 0.42 mg |
| Vitamin B-6 | 0.03 mg |
| Folate, total | 9.0 ug |
| Folic acid | 0.00 ug |
| Folate, food | 9.0 ug |
| Folate, DFE | 9.0 ug |
| Vitamin B-12 | 0.49 ug |
| Vitamin A, RAE | 144 ug |
| Retinol | 142 ug |
| Carotene, beta | 19.0 ug |
| Carotene, alpha | 0.00 ug |
| Cryptoxanthin, beta | 0.00 ug |
| Vitamin A, IU | 513 iu |
| Lycopene | 0.00 ug |
| Lutein + zeaxanthin | 0.00 ug |
| Vitamin E (alpha-tocopherol) | 1.8 mg |
| Vitamin E, added | 0.00 mg |
| Vitamin K (phylloquinone) | 6.0 ug |
| Caffeine | 15.0 mg |
| Theobromine | 152 mg |
Fat & fatty acid profile (per 100g)
| Fatty acids, total saturated | 18.5 g |
| SFA 4:0 | 0.69 g |
| SFA 6:0 | 0.32 g |
| SFA 8:0 | 0.28 g |
| SFA 10:0 | 0.48 g |
| SFA 12:0 | 1.2 g |
| SFA 13:0 | 0.00 g |
| SFA 14:0 | 1.8 g |
| SFA 15:0 | 0.05 g |
| SFA 16:0 | 7.2 g |
| SFA 17:0 | 0.05 g |
| SFA 18:0 | 6.2 g |
| SFA 20:0 | 0.13 g |
| SFA 22:0 | 0.01 g |
| SFA 24:0 | 0.00 g |
| Fatty acids, total monounsaturated | 12.6 g |
| MUFA 14:1 | 0.05 g |
| MUFA 15:1 | 0.00 g |
| MUFA 16:1 | 0.31 g |
| MUFA 17:1 | 0.01 g |
| MUFA 18:1 | 7.3 g |
| MUFA 18:1 c | 4.8 g |
| MUFA 20:1 | 0.00 g |
| MUFA 22:1 | 0.00 g |
| MUFA 24:1 c | 0.00 g |
| Fatty acids, total polyunsaturated | 1.0 g |
| PUFA 18:2 | 0.78 g |
| PUFA 18:3 | 0.17 g |
| PUFA 18:3 n-3 c,c,c (ALA) | 0.06 g |
| PUFA 18:3 n-6 c,c,c | 0.00 g |
| PUFA 18:4 | 0.00 g |
| PUFA 20:2 n-6 c,c | 0.00 g |
| PUFA 20:3 | 0.00 g |
| PUFA 20:4 | 0.00 g |
| PUFA 20:5 n-3 (EPA) | 0.00 g |
| PUFA 22:5 n-3 (DPA) | 0.00 g |
| PUFA 22:6 n-3 (DHA) | 0.00 g |
| Fatty acids, total trans | 0.00 g |
| Fatty acids, total trans-monoenoic | 0.00 g |
| TFA 18:1 t | 0.00 g |
| Cholesterol | 53.0 mg |
Amino acid profile (per 100g)
Estimated from Candies, honey-combed, with peanut butter — USDA does not publish this profile for Candies.
| Tryptophan | 0.09 g |
| Threonine | 0.21 g |
| Isoleucine | 0.24 g |
| Leucine | 0.61 g |
| Lysine | 0.27 g |
| Methionine | 0.10 g |
| Cystine | 0.09 g |
| Phenylalanine | 0.47 g |
| Tyrosine | 0.33 g |
| Valine | 0.31 g |
| Arginine | 1.1 g |
| Histidine | 0.22 g |
| Alanine | 0.36 g |
| Aspartic acid | 1.2 g |
| Glutamic acid | 2.0 g |
| Glycine | 0.56 g |
| Proline | 0.55 g |
| Serine | 0.58 g |
FAQ
What's the difference between a truffle and a bonbon?
A truffle traditionally has a soft, ganache-based center (chocolate and cream), while a bonbon typically has a harder center, such as a praline, caramel, or fondant, enclosed in a molded chocolate shell.
How should I store homemade truffles?
Store them in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 2 weeks. Let them come to room temperature for about 15-20 minutes before serving for the best texture and flavor.
Can truffles be made vegan?
Yes, vegan truffles are made by substituting the dairy cream in the ganache with plant-based alternatives like coconut cream or oat cream, and using dairy-free chocolate.
Nutrient density (calculated · NRF9.3)
Nutrient Rich Foods index: beneficial nutrients (protein, fiber, vitamins, minerals) minus saturated fat, added sugar & sodium, per 100 kcal.
NRF9.3 index — Fulgoni, Keast & Drewnowski, 2009. Computed from USDA nutrients.
Weight-loss friendliness (composite index)
Energy density 5.10 kcal/g · 5% calories from protein · 2.5 g fiber · 38.3 g sugar per 100 g.
Composite of energy density (Rolls et al., 1999), protein & fiber satiety, minus sugar. A calculated heuristic — ranks satiety-per-calorie, not a clinical measure.
Dietary load (calculated from USDA values)
Potential renal acid load. Positive = acid-forming, negative = alkaline-forming.
Sodium-to-potassium ratio: 0.23 (lower is better — aim for ≤ 1)
Sodium:potassium per WHO potassium guidance. Computed from USDA nutrients.