Name: Christmas Fruit Mince Truffles Recipe
Prep time: 40 min
Cook time: 5 min
Total time: 3 h 15 min
Cuisine: Christmas
Ingredients: 125 ml (½ cup) heavy whipping/thickened cream; 200 g (7 oz) dark cooking chocolate (70% cocoa solids), finely chopped; ¼ teaspoon ground cinnamon; ⅓ cup fruit mince (homemade or store bought); 180 g (6 oz) milk cooking chocolate; 100 g (3 ½ oz) white cooking chocolate; 9 red glacé/candied cherries, halved

There's something utterly delightful about the rich, velvety bite of these Christmas Fruit Mince Truffles. The way the sweet, spiced fruit mince meets smooth chocolate creates a festive treat that’s easy to make yet feels so special. This Christmas Fruit Mince Truffles Recipe is truly a little bite of holiday magic you’ll want to share (or maybe keep all to yourself!).

The image shows a close-up of a round dessert ball with three clear layers: the bottom is a smooth light brown base, the middle is a darker brown textured layer shaped like a sphere, and the top has white cream dripping down the sides. On the very top sits a shiny, deep red cherry. The dessert is placed on a round white stand on a white marbled surface. More similar dessert balls are in the background and foreground, some in a white bowl filled with dark red cherries. photo taken with an iphone --ar 2:3 --v 7

Jump to:

Why You'll Love This Recipe
Ingredients & Why They Work
Make It Your Way
Step-by-Step: How I Make Christmas Fruit Mince Truffles Recipe
Top Tip
How to Serve Christmas Fruit Mince Truffles Recipe
Make Ahead and Storage
Frequently Asked Questions:
Final Thoughts
Christmas Fruit Mince Truffles Recipe

Why You'll Love This Recipe

Honestly, I've made these Christmas Fruit Mince Truffles every year since I first tried this recipe, and each time they’re the first sweet thing to disappear at holiday gatherings. They’re the perfect blend of rich chocolate, festive spice, and a juicy surprise inside. It’s seriously a must-try if you want a dessert that feels homemade but impressive.

Festive Flavor Explosion: The fruit mince adds a wonderfully spiced, slightly boozy burst inside smooth dark chocolate — it’s like all your favorite holiday flavors in one bite.
No-Bake Ease: You just melt, mix, chill, and roll — no complex baking, so it’s beginner-friendly and quick despite the fancy look.
Customizable Coatings: Dip them in milk or white chocolate, add cherries or nuts; they’re totally adaptable for your taste and presentation.
Perfect for Gifting: Packaged beautifully, these truffles make thoughtful, homemade gifts that everyone appreciates during the holidays.

Ingredients & Why They Work

This recipe strikes a beautiful balance of creamy, spiced, and sweet thanks to simple but carefully chosen ingredients. Each one complements the others perfectly, making the truffles luxurious yet approachable. When shopping, look for good quality chocolate and a fruit mince that you genuinely enjoy, as those are the main stars here.

Flat lay of a small white ceramic bowl filled with thickened cream, finely chopped blocks of dark cooking chocolate, a small white bowl of ground cinnamon powder, a small white bowl of homemade fruit mince with visible raisins and chopped dried fruits, a simple white ceramic plate with even pieces of milk cooking chocolate, another small white bowl with smooth white cooking chocolate chunks, and a neat arrangement of nine halved bright red glacé cherries, all placed on a clean white marble surface, soft natural light, photo taken with an iPhone, professional food photography style, fresh ingredients, white ceramic bowls, no bottles, no duplicates, no utensils, no packaging --ar 2:3 --v 7 --p m7354615311229779997

Heavy whipping cream: Using full-fat cream ensures a rich, velvety texture that binds the chocolate and fruit mince beautifully.
Dark cooking chocolate (70% cocoa solids): The higher cacao content cuts through the sweetness and adds depth; it’s crucial for that sophisticated flavor.
Ground cinnamon: Just a pinch brings warmth and enhances the festive notes of the fruit mince.
Fruit mince: Whether homemade or store-bought, this is the heart of the truffle. Make sure it tastes rich and flavorful for the best results.
Milk cooking chocolate: Used for coating, it adds a creamy sweetness that pairs perfectly with the dark chocolate filling.
White cooking chocolate: Adds a beautiful contrast and allows for charming decoration details like dollops and cherry toppings.
Red glacé/candied cherries: Aside from looking festive, they bring a lovely chewy texture and balance the chocolate’s richness.

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Note: You'll find the complete list of ingredients, along with their exact measurements, in the printable recipe card at the bottom of this post.

Make It Your Way

I love making these truffles my own by switching up the coatings and adding mix-ins, and I encourage you to do the same. The base is so smooth and flexible, you can easily experiment while still keeping the festive spirit alive.

Variation: Once, I stirred chopped roasted almonds into the mixture before chilling for an added crunch that everyone raved about — give it a try if you like texture contrast!
Dietary tweak: For a dairy-free version, try coconut cream instead of heavy cream and use dairy-free chocolate. It’s just as delicious!
Seasonal twist: Swap the fruit mince with a berry compote for a warmer, summery version of these truffles outside the holidays.

Step-by-Step: How I Make Christmas Fruit Mince Truffles Recipe

A white plate holds several round chocolate balls, each covered in a smooth milk chocolate layer. On top, a white chocolate drip flows down the sides of each ball, with a shiny bright red cherry set neatly on top. One chocolate ball is cut in half and placed on top, showing a dense, fudgy texture inside with small bits of nuts or fruit. The plate is set on a white marbled surface, and in the background, there is a small white bowl filled with a chunky dark brown spread. The overall look is neat, shiny, and rich with contrasting colors. photo taken with an iphone --ar 2:3 --v 7

Step 1: Warm up the cream and melt the chocolate

Start by heating the heavy whipping cream gently on low heat, just until it’s about to boil—don’t let it bubble over! Once it’s hot, turn off the heat and add the finely chopped dark chocolate. Stir slowly until everything is melted and silky smooth. This step is crucial — if your chocolate isn’t fully melted, you’ll notice lumps in your truffles later, so be patient and gentle.

Step 2: Add cinnamon and fruit mince, then chill

After cooling the chocolate mixture for about 5 minutes, stir in the ground cinnamon and your fruit mince really well so the flavors meld beautifully. Pour this into a small dish lined with non-stick baking paper—it helps loosen the truffles later—and pop it into the fridge for about 1½ to 2 hours until it firms up.

Step 3: Roll into balls and chill again

Once the mixture is firm, use a small ice cream scoop or a spoon to shape little balls. If the chocolate is too hard to roll easily, let it rest on the counter for 5-10 minutes to soften. Press firmly as you roll to keep the truffles compact and tidy. Place them on a parchment-lined tray and refrigerate for another 30 minutes to set.

Step 4: Melt your coating chocolates

Time for the coating! Melt the milk chocolate over a double boiler or in short bursts in the microwave, stirring frequently. Do the same with the white chocolate in a separate bowl. Keep both at a nice warm but not hot temperature — if the chocolate is too hot, it’ll soften the truffles when you dip them.

Step 5: Dip, decorate, and chill

Working one truffle at a time, use two small forks to dip and roll each ball in the milk chocolate until fully coated. Gently tap off excess chocolate and return to your tray. If the chocolate gets too thick or hard to dip, just warm it a bit to soften again. When set, drizzle with white chocolate and top each with half a glacé cherry while still soft for that classic festive look. Chill until set completely.

Top Tip

I’ve been making these truffles for years, and some tips really make the process smoother and the results shine. Don’t skip chilling properly and keep the chocolate temperate for easy dipping—those little things make a big difference!

Proper Chilling: Make sure the chocolate-fruit mince layer is firm before scooping — it’s much easier and gives neater truffles.
Use Two Forks for Dipping: It helps cover every angle and lifts them out cleanly without smashing or losing shape.
Adjust Chocolate Temperature: Keep your dipping chocolate warm but not hot; too hot will melt your truffles and too cool makes dipping tough.
Prevent Bloom: Avoid fridge condensation on the chocolate coating by letting truffles set in a cool part of the fridge, not the coldest zone.

How to Serve Christmas Fruit Mince Truffles Recipe

Christmas Fruit Mince Truffles - Serving Suggestion

Garnishes

I love topping each truffle with half a red glacé cherry — it’s festive, adds a pop of color, and contrasts beautifully with the chocolate. You can also sprinkle a little edible gold dust or crushed nuts for an elegant touch. These small touches make these truffles perfect for gifting or your holiday dessert table.

Side Dishes

Pair these truffles with a cup of spiced mulled wine, hot cocoa, or even a robust coffee to balance the sweetness. They also go well alongside a creamy cheese platter or fresh fruit for a light, contrasting bite.

Creative Ways to Present

For holiday parties, I arrange the truffles on wooden boards lined with festive greenery or holly sprigs. You can also wrap them individually in festive foil or place them in small, decorative boxes with transparent lids — these always earn compliments and make your guests feel special.

Make Ahead and Storage

Storing Leftovers

Store leftover Christmas Fruit Mince Truffles in an airtight container in the fridge. If you need to stack them, place a layer of parchment paper between each to keep the chocolate coating from sticking. They stay fresh and delicious for up to a week.

Freezing

I’ve frozen these truffles successfully for up to three months. They might develop a slight white coating called bloom, but the taste remains fantastic. Thaw them slowly in the refrigerator overnight before serving for best texture.

Reheating

Generally, these truffles are best eaten chilled, but if you want to soften them a bit, leave them at room temperature for 10-15 minutes. Avoid microwaving, as it can melt the chocolate unevenly.

Frequently Asked Questions:

Can I use store-bought fruit mince for this recipe?

Yes! Store-bought fruit mince works just fine. I recommend choosing a good quality one that you really enjoy the flavor of, preferably vegetarian-friendly. The fruit mince is the star inside these truffles, so pick one with rich, festive spices.

What’s the best way to melt the chocolate without it seizing?

Melting chocolate gently is key. I like using a double boiler method—placing the chopped chocolate in a heatproof bowl over simmering water without letting the bowl touch the water. Stir often and remove from heat as soon as most chocolate melts, letting residual heat finish the job. You can also use the microwave on low power in short bursts. Just make sure no moisture gets into the chocolate, or it will seize.

Can I make these truffles ahead of time?

Absolutely! These Christmas Fruit Mince Truffles are perfect for making ahead. The truffles chill and set beautifully, so you can prepare them a few days in advance. Just store them in an airtight container in the fridge, and they’ll stay fresh and tasty.

What if my truffles are too sticky when rolling?

If your mixture is too sticky or soft to roll into balls, just chill it a bit longer until firmer. Alternatively, let it sit at room temperature for a few minutes if it’s too hard. Press firmly when rolling to help compact the mixture. Adding a light dusting of cocoa powder on your hands can also help reduce stickiness.

Final Thoughts

Making these Christmas Fruit Mince Truffles always brings a cozy, festive feeling to my kitchen, and I love how easy they are to prepare despite tasting so decadent. Whether you’re looking to impress at a holiday party or wanting to enjoy a personal sweet moment by the fire, this recipe has your back. I promise, once you try this Christmas Fruit Mince Truffles Recipe, it’ll become a holiday tradition in your home too!