Ganache

Ingredients

• 3/4 pound bittersweet or semisweet chocolate, cut into small pieces
• 1 cup heavy cream
• 1 tablespoon cognac or liqueur of your choice, optional
• Fresh fruit, such as apples, bananas, and strawberries, for dipping
• Dried fruit, such as apricots, for dipping
• Candied citrus peels, such as orange and grapefruit, for dipping
• Crystallized ginger, for dipping
• Unsweetened cocoa powder, for rolling truffles

Directions

Place the chocolate in a medium heatproof bowl and set aside.

In a small saucepan, bring the cream to a boil. Pour over the chocolate, let sit for 2 or 3 minutes, then whisk until smooth and shiny. Cool slightly. Whisk in the liqueur, if using.

One at a time, dip fruit, dried fruit, candied citrus peel, and crystallized ginger halfway into the warm ganache to cover by half. Place on a wire rack with parchment, wax paper, or foil underneath. Let stand until chocolate has dried.

To make truffles, let ganache cool completely in the refrigerator until hard. Scoop small balls of the hardened ganache and shape by hand. Roll truffles in the cocoa powder to coat.