Name: Christmas Fruit Mince Truffles Recipe
Prep time: 40 min
Cook time: 5 min
Total time: 3 h 15 min
Cuisine: Western
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

The festive buzz in the kitchen gets even better with my Christmas Fruit Mince Truffles Recipe — a bite-sized, rich, and incredibly festive treat that blends creamy chocolate with the holiday’s signature spiced fruit mince. It’s the perfect thing to make ahead and enjoy with friends or family.

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

I can't tell you how many times these Christmas Fruit Mince Truffles have saved me during the hectic holiday season. They’re so simple to make but look and taste like you put in a lot more effort — that's the magic! Plus, the blend of dark chocolate with fruit mince brings all those festive flavors onto one little truffle. It’s a real crowd-pleaser that keeps well too.

Rich and festive flavor: The mix of dark chocolate and spiced fruit mince creates an irresistible bite packed with holiday cheer.
Easy to prepare: No complicated tempering or fancy equipment needed — just a few ingredients and some patience for chilling.
Perfect make-ahead treat: These truffles can be stored in the fridge or freezer, ideal for stress-free entertaining.
Customizable decoration: You can get creative with coatings and garnishes to suit your holiday style.

Ingredients & Why They Work

The beauty of these Christmas Fruit Mince Truffles lies in the balance of creamy, rich, and fruity ingredients that marry perfectly together. Choosing quality chocolate and a tasty fruit mince really shines through — here’s why I pick each ingredient the way I do.

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: This adds a silky texture to the truffle base; make sure it’s full-fat for that indulgent mouthfeel.
Dark cooking chocolate (70% cocoa solids): The bitterness balances the sweetness of the fruit mince and gives a luxurious depth.
Ground cinnamon: Adds subtle warmth and festive spice without overpowering the other flavors.
Fruit mince: I prefer homemade for freshness and control over sweetness, but a good-quality store-bought one works fine.
Milk cooking chocolate: For dipping, its sweetness contrasts nicely with the dark chocolate truffle center.
White cooking chocolate: Used for drizzling or decoration, it adds a pretty contrast and extra decadence.
Glacé/candied cherries: They’re not just for looks — their tartness and juiciness lift the whole truffle experience.

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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 always like to experiment a little when making my Christmas Fruit Mince Truffles Recipe — sometimes adding a splash of brandy or whisky into the mix for an adult twist. You can easily tweak the coating or garnish to match your festive mood or dietary preferences.

Variation: Once, I swapped the milk chocolate coating with a crunchy nut coating made from crushed pistachios — it was a delightful surprise everyone loved!
Dairy-free option: Try coconut cream and dairy-free chocolate for a vegan-friendly batch.
Spice it up: A pinch of nutmeg or ginger adds an extra festive kick.
Alcohol-free: Use your favorite fruit mince without added alcohol if serving kids or those avoiding spirits.

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 the Cream and Melt the Chocolate

Start by gently heating the heavy cream over low heat until it’s just about to boil — keep a close eye so it doesn’t scorch! Take it off the heat and add your finely chopped dark chocolate. Stir until you have a lusciously smooth mixture. This step gives your truffles that perfect melt-in-the-mouth texture.

Step 2: Mix in Spices and Fruit Mince

After letting the chocolate-cream mixture cool for about 5 minutes, fold in the ground cinnamon and juicy fruit mince. Make sure it’s well combined so every truffle will have those bursts of festive flavor — that’s the fun part!

Step 3: Chill and Shape the Truffles

Pour the mixture into a lined dish and pop it in the fridge to firm up for at least 1½ to 2 hours — sometimes I let it chill a bit longer to make rolling easier. When it’s firm, scoop out small balls with an ice cream scoop or spoon. If the mixture feels too hard, give it 5-10 minutes at room temperature before rolling.

Step 4: Prepare for Dipping

Place the truffle balls on a baking tray lined with baking paper and chill for another 30 minutes. Meanwhile, melt the milk and white chocolates separately using a gentle method like a double boiler or microwave, stirring often. Let them cool slightly so they don’t melt your truffles when dipping.

Step 5: Dip and Decorate

Dip each truffle carefully in the melted milk chocolate, using two forks to coat them evenly. Set them back on the lined tray to firm up. If the chocolate firms too quickly, a bit of reheating helps keep it smooth. Finally, top each with a little white chocolate and half a glacé cherry for that iconic festive touch.

Top Tip

Over the years, I've learned a few tricks that make all the difference when making Christmas Fruit Mince Truffles Recipe — here are my top tips to get your truffles perfect every time.

Use quality chocolate: It may seem obvious, but the chocolate flavor shines through, so invest in something you love eating plain.
Don't rush chilling: Letting the mixture set fully before rolling avoids sticky, too-soft truffles that are hard to shape.
Control chocolate temperature: If the coating chocolate is too hot, your truffles can melt or get messy — aim for warm, not hot.
Keep your hands cool: Rolling truffles is less sticky if your hands are cool or dipped briefly in cold water between rolls.

How to Serve Christmas Fruit Mince Truffles Recipe

Christmas Mince Truffles - Serving Suggestion

Garnishes

I love topping my truffles with a halved glacé cherry and a drizzle of white chocolate — it looks festive and adds a little tangy pop to balance the richness. If you want a different vibe, chopped toasted nuts or a dusting of edible gold dust work beautifully too.

Side Dishes

These truffles are perfect little bites alongside a warm cup of spiced mulled wine or a creamy eggnog. I also serve them on a holiday dessert platter with mince pies, gingerbread cookies, and a cheese board for variety.

Creative Ways to Present

For a special occasion, I arrange the truffles in mini cupcake liners or on pretty holiday-themed trays. For gift-giving, wrap them in parchment paper tied with a festive ribbon — everyone loves receiving these as edible presents!

Make Ahead and Storage

Storing Leftovers

I keep my leftover Christmas Fruit Mince Truffles in an airtight container in the fridge — they stay fresh and perfect for up to a week. If layering in the container, I separate each layer with baking paper to avoid sticking.

Freezing

These truffles freeze really well! I place them in an airtight box, separated by baking paper, and freeze for up to three months. They might develop a slight white bloom on the chocolate, but the flavor remains fantastic. Just thaw in the fridge before serving.

Reheating

For best results, I don’t warm these truffles in a microwave or oven, as it can ruin the texture. Instead, I let them come to room temperature naturally after being refrigerated or frozen, which preserves that creamy texture perfectly.

Frequently Asked Questions:

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

Absolutely! I often use homemade for freshness, but good-quality store-bought fruit mince works well, too. Just ensure it tastes great and is vegetarian-friendly if needed.

Why use dark chocolate with 70% cocoa solids?

Dark chocolate with a high cocoa percentage balances out the sweetness and richness of the fruit mince and cream. It adds a delightful depth and prevents the truffles from being overly sweet.

How long do these truffles keep?

Stored in an airtight container in the fridge, they stay delicious for up to one week. Freezing extends their shelf life up to three months with minimal quality loss.

Can I make these truffles dairy-free?

Yes! Swap the heavy cream for coconut cream and choose dairy-free chocolates to make this recipe suitable for dairy-free or vegan diets. The flavor and texture will still be wonderful.

Final Thoughts

Making these Christmas Fruit Mince Truffles Recipe has become a little holiday tradition in my house — they always bring smiles and an extra dash of festive spirit. They’re so simple yet special, and I hope you feel inspired to try them yourself. You’ll enjoy the process as much as the tasty results!