This Champagne White Chocolate Truffle recipe will make you want to bust out the bubbly! Luscious white chocolate is combined with champagne to produce silky-smooth truffles that melt in your mouth. These beautiful homemade truffles are perfect for any celebration!

Close-up of Champagne White Chocolate Truffles with gold leaf decorations
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🍾 Homemade Champagne Truffles

Looking for the perfect treat to celebrate New Year’s Eve, Valentine’s Day, or any other super-special occasion? Champagne White Chocolate Truffles to the rescue!

These from-scratch truffles are made with luscious white chocolate and a potent champagne reduction, so every bite is rich and creamy, with a subtle fruity undertone from the champagne. Best of all, they’re easy to make at home! You just need a handful of ingredients and a few hours (but a lot of that is chilling time!).

If you love the sound of these truffles, don’t miss my ultra-festive Disco Truffles, romantic Rosemary Raspberry Truffles, or these insanely good Caramelized White Chocolate Truffles.

Champagne White Chocolate Truffles on a white marble tray with gold decorations in the background

Table of Contents

🧾 Ingredients

As you might guess, the two most important parts of this truffle recipe are in the title: champagne and white chocolate! Here’s what else you’ll need to make these truffles:

  • White chocolate: Use REAL white chocolate, please! The full explanation as to why, and my white chocolate recommendations, are just below.
  • Champagne: No need to break the bank–any bubbly that you enjoy drinking works here!
  • Heavy cream: Heavy cream or whipping cream will both work. I prefer heavy cream because of the higher fat content. More fat=more delicious!
  • Unsalted butter: If you use salted butter, omit the salt in the recipe.
  • White candy coating: This is what I use to coat the truffles. You could use more white chocolate, but a) that’s expensive, and b) it would need to be tempered in order to be stable at room temperature. I like the convenience of using easy-to-find white candy coating instead.
  • Edible gold leaf: This one is DEFINITELY optional! Gold leaf adds a gorgeous shine to these truffles, making them worthy of any special occasion. But if you don’t have any, you can decorate them with gold sprinkles, gold food spray, or any other decorations you’d like!
Champagne White Chocolate Truffles with gold leaf decorations, in front of a bottle of champagne

What is White Chocolate?

Not all white chocolate is created equal! In fact, those white chocolate chips you buy at the store from Nestle or Ghirardelli? Those aren’t white chocolate at all! If you look closely at the packaging, you’ll notice that many of them are called simply “white chips,” sans any mention of chocolate.

By definition, white chocolate must contain cocoa butter, the fat that comes from the cocoa pod. Cocoa butter is the secret sauce that gives all real chocolate its signature smooth, silky, melt-in-your-mouth texture.

White chips contain a different fat, usually palm kernel oil. They are designed to hold their shape when baking, and are typically much waxier and less flavorful than actual white chocolate.

Because of these differences, the white chocolate you choose for this recipe has a big impact on the taste and texture of the truffles. I strongly recommend using real white chocolate–either chopped up white chocolate bars, or real white chocolate chips. If you do use “white chips,” the recipe will most likely work, but the ganache might be difficult to work with and you might be disappointed in the final flavor.

White Chocolate Recommendations

For real white chocolate bars, I recommend Lindt white chocolate. It’s widely available in stores, reasonably affordable (when compared to other white chocolates) and produces delicious white chocolate truffles.

For real white chocolate chips, you will probably have to search online or in specialty stores. In my experience, it’s difficult to find real white chocolate chips in a standard grocery store. My favorite chips to use are Callebaut white chocolate chips, which I buy in bulk online.

Champagne White Chocolate Truffles in a gold-dotted champagne flute

What Champagne To Use?

Picking a champagne is easy–just choose a cheap one! This is no time to break the bank on a rare and exquisite drink–all of that nuance will be lost by the time we add a bunch of white chocolate, anyhow. Any affordable champagne or prosecco that you enjoy drinking will be a great choice in this recipe.

Looking for a non-alcoholic alternative? Check out the FAQ section below!

Champagne White Chocolate Truffles in a pile in front of a bottle of champagne

🥄 Equipment

You don’t need any specialty tools to make these champagne truffles, but you might find the rolling and dipping process easier with a few handy candy gadgets.

  • Small candy scoop: Using a small scoop saves SO much time! You’re guaranteed to get round balls that are basically the same size, which is a lifesaver when doing lots of truffles. I use and like this 2 tsp scoop.
  • Dipping tools: Sure, you can use a dinner fork to dip your truffles. But if you’re going to be dipping candy regularly, it’s worth it to invest in a good set of dipping tools. The thinner tines and specially-designed handles make it a breeze to get neat truffles every time.
  • Small saucepan:Because the quantities of liquid in this recipe are so small, a small 1-quart saucepan is very helpful.
Six photo collage showing the steps to make Champagne White Chocolate Truffles

📋 Instructions

How to Make Champagne Truffle Ganache

  1. First: the champagne reduction! This is a fancy term for “simmering champagne until some evaporates.” So pour your champagne into a small saucepan, set it over medium heat, and simmer until about half of it evaporates away. What you’re left with is champagne with a more concentrated flavor.
  2. Now bring heavy cream to a simmer, and pour it over a bowl of white chocolate, butter, and salt. Let it sit for a minute to soften the chocolate, then whisk well. It will be very thick.
  3. Add the champagne reduction and whisk again. This is your “ganache.” Press a layer of plastic wrap directly on top of the ganache, and refrigerate for at least an hour, until firm enough to scoop.
  4. Scoop 1-inch balls of ganache. Dust your scoop with powdered sugar when it starts to get sticky.
  5. Roll the balls between your hands to make them round. Use that powdered sugar again!
  6. Once all the truffles are formed, refrigerate them again until they’re firm enough to dip, about 1 hour.
Two photo collage showing how to decorate Champagne White Chocolate Truffles

Dipping and Decorating the Champagne Truffles

  1. Once the truffles are firm, melt the white candy coating, and use dipping tools (or a dinner fork) to dip the truffles. Set them on a baking sheet covered with waxed paper or parchment to harden.
  2. If you want to decorate with edible gold leaf, anchor the gold leaf down with a small brush, and use a sharp knife to tear a small piece of gold leaf from the larger sheet. Transfer the piece of gold leaf on the tip of the knife to the truffle, and use the brush to gently brush/press it on the outer surface.
Overhead shot of Champagne White Chocolate Truffles on a white marble tray with party poppers

💡 Tips and FAQs  

Avoiding Cracks in the White Chocolate

It’s not uncommon to see small cracks in the outer shell of dipped truffles. These cracks usually happen because cold truffles were dipped in warm chocolate or candy coating. As the truffle centers warm up, they expand, and create cracks in the shell. There are a couple ways to avoid this:

Let the Truffles Sit Out Overnight

This is actually my preferred way to make truffles, but because it takes so much longer, I recognize it’s not practical for many people, and offer it as a variation instead.

After you roll the truffles between your hands, they’ll have a light dusting of powdered sugar on the outside. Let them sit on the baking sheet at cool room temperature overnight, until they develop a “skin” on the outside. This skin allows them to be dipped at room temperature, so they don’t have the same problem with expanding and cracking the coating.

This method works best when you are able to keep your room cool (under 70 degrees) and if you have the time to wait overnight.

Keep the Truffles Cold

If the truffles are always kept refrigerated, they are less likely to warm up and crack the coating. This doesn’t always prevent cracks, and I don’t recommend this as a first choice because the flavor/texture of the truffles isn’t as good when it’s cold from the refrigerator. But if you are continually frustrated with cracked chocolate shells, it’s worth a try!

Non-Alcoholic Variation

No booze? No problem! You have 2 options for this recipe:

  1. To make truffles that taste similar to champagne truffles, use a nonalcoholic sparkling juice. Trader Joe’s makes an excellent “Sparkling White Grape Juice Chardonnay.” It doesn’t contain any alcohol, but it isn’t as sweet as many sparkling apple juice brands, so it has a similar “bite” and tang to champagne. You can use it in the recipe as written, without any other adjustments.
  2. You can omit the champagne entirely and use an additional 1/4 cup heavy cream, for a total of 1/2 cup cream. This will make standard white chocolate truffles. From here, you can add 1 tsp of flavoring extracts (or more to taste) to jazz them up a little!

Storage and Make-Ahead Instructions

The ganache can be made up to a week ahead of time and kept in an airtight container in the refrigerator with a piece of plastic wrap pressed down on top.

Dipped truffles should be stored in the refrigerator, and can be kept for up to a week. For the best taste and texture, let them sit at room temperature for 20-30 minutes before serving.

Close-up of Champagne White Chocolate Truffles with a bite taken from one of them

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Leave a Review!

If you make this recipe, let us know! Leave a ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ rating on the recipe below, and leave a comment, take a photo and tag me on Instagram @elabau, or use #sugarhero on IG!

Don’t miss the web story showing How to Make Champagne Trufflessee the whole web story here!

Several Champagne White Chocolate Truffles on a white marble surface.

Champagne White Chocolate Truffles

5 from 12 votes
This Champagne White Chocolate Truffle recipe will make you want to bust out the bubbly! Luscious white chocolate is combined with champagne to produce silky-smooth truffles that melt in your mouth. These beautiful homemade truffles are perfect for New Year’s Eve, Valentine’s Day, or any celebration.
Prep1 hour
Cook0 minutes
Chilling Time2 hours
Total3 hours
Yields36 truffles

Ingredients

  • 12 oz white chocolate, (2 cups) chopped, see Note below
  • 4 fl oz champagne, (1/2 cup)
  • 2 fl oz heavy cream, (1/4 cup)
  • 2 oz unsalted butter, at room temperature
  • 1/8 tsp salt
  • 16 oz white candy coating melts, (2 2/3 cups)
  • 2 sheets edible gold leaf, for decorating, optional
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Instructions 

  • Place the chopped white chocolate in a medium heat-safe bowl.
  • Pour 1/2 cup of champagne into a small saucepan, and gently heat it over medium heat until it simmers. Let it simmer until it is reduced by half (so you end up with 1/4 cup), about 10 minutes. One you have 1/4 cup of concentrated champagne, remove it from the heat and pour it into a bowl.
  • Pour the heavy cream into the same small saucepan and heat it over medium just until it starts to simmer. Once simmering, immediately pour the hot cream over the chopped chocolate.
  • Let the cream soften the chocolate for one minute, then whisk everything together until the chocolate is melted. The mixture will be very thick.
  • Pour the reduced champagne into the white chocolate mixture and whisk until it is incorporated. Add the butter and salt, and whisk until smooth. Press a piece of plastic wrap on top of the white chocolate, and refrigerate until it is firm enough to scoop, about 1 hour.
  • Once firm, use a candy scoop or a teaspoon to form small 1-inch balls. Dust your hands with powdered sugar, and roll the balls between your hands to get them perfectly round. Refrigerate the truffles until firm.
  • Melt the white chocolate candy coating. Once completely melted and smooth, use a fork or dipping tools to dip each truffle in the white chocolate coating, and replace it on a parchment-covered baking sheet.
  • Refrigerate the tray to set the white candy coating, for about 15 minutes.
  • If you would like to decorate your truffles with edible gold leaf, anchor the gold leaf down with a small brush, and use a sharp knife to tear a small piece of gold leaf from the larger sheet. Transfer the piece of gold leaf on the tip of the knife to the truffle, and use the brush to gently brush/press it on the outer surface. Repeat with a few more small pieces of gold leaf until the truffle is decorated, then repeat with the rest of the candies.
  • Store Champagne Truffles in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to two weeks. For the best taste and texture, let them sit at room temperature for 20-30 minutes before serving.

Recipe Notes

Be sure to use real white chocolate bars or white chocolate chips. How do you know it’s real white chocolate? Check the ingredients—do the chips have cocoa butter? If so, you’ve got white chocolate! If not, then you have “white chips.” Using real white chocolate will give you a better flavor and a smoother texture. If you use white chips, the recipe will probably work, but they tend to have a waxier, stiffer texture and less flavor. I recommend using chopped Lindt white chocolate bars or Callebaut white chocolate chips.

Measuring Tips

Our recipes are developed using weight measurements, and we highly recommend using a kitchen scale for baking whenever possible. However, if you prefer to use cups, volume measurements are provided as well. PLEASE NOTE: the adage “8 oz = 1 cup” is NOT true when speaking about weight, so don’t be concerned if the measurements don’t fit this formula.

Want to learn more about baking measurements and conversion?

Nutrition

Calories: 97kcal | Carbohydrates: 9g | Protein: 1g | Fat: 6g | Saturated Fat: 4g | Cholesterol: 8mg | Sodium: 23mg | Potassium: 31mg | Fiber: 1g | Sugar: 9g | Vitamin A: 66IU | Vitamin C: 1mg | Calcium: 21mg | Iron: 1mg
Tried this recipe?Snap a pic and hashtag it #SugarHero. We love to see your creations on our Instagram @elabau.
Champagne White Chocolate Truffles picture with overlay text for Pinterest

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Hi, I’m Elizabeth โ€” a trained pastry chef, cookbook author, video instructor, and your new Baking BFF! I’m going to teach you everything you need to know to be a sugar hero. โค๏ธ

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27 Comments

  1. I’m looking forward to making these for a New Year’s Eve party! Is it possible to make and freeze them in advance?

    1. Hi Lauren. I haven’t frozen these before. In general, I don’t recommend freezing ganache. The freezing process can cause the taste and texture to be less creamy and luscious. In my blog I have some tips for storage as follows: STORAGE AND MAKE-AHEAD INSTRUCTIONS
      The ganache can be made up to a week ahead of time and kept in an airtight container in the refrigerator with a piece of plastic wrap pressed down on top.
      Dipped truffles should be stored in the refrigerator, and can be kept for up to a week. For the best taste and texture, let them sit at room temperature for 20-30 minutes before serving.

  2. I made these for a NYE party and they were a HIT! I will be making those again but maybe try different flavored champagnes! I saw Andre makes a peach one! Thank you for this recipe, I tried another recipe similar but they never set up, these came out PERFECT!! Super fast and easy too!

  3. Hi, this recipe looks so good. If I wanted to make these and put them in a box to give to someone as a gift, how would you recommend I go about doing this? Xxx

    1. Hi Amy. I’d recommend getting some of the paper candy cups that are designed to hold candy like truffles (the small fluted ones). The paper wrappers not only look nice, but they also keep the truffles separated so that they don’t get stuck together. Candy wrappers are often brown or white, but you can also find unique colors or metallic wrappers. Michael’s, Joann’s and even Walmart should have a few options in the store. Or, you could order them online from a specialty cake/candy supply store. Craft and specialty baking stores should also have nice candy boxes to package them in. I hope that helps. Good luck!