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Creamy Orange Treats

Featured in Sweet Endings: Irresistible Desserts.

Relive that creamsicle taste with these sugary bites made using fresh orange zest, cream, and white chocolate. Coated in powdered sugar, they're perfect homemade snacks.

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Updated on Sun, 13 Apr 2025 11:06:08 GMT
White chocolate truffles with orange sprinkles and drizzle, alongside fresh orange slices. Pin it
White chocolate truffles with orange sprinkles and drizzle, alongside fresh orange slices. | linacooks.com

Grandma's Beloved Orange Dream Candy Balls

These sweet little morsels remind me of childhood summers and frozen orange treats. I've tweaked this method through many test runs, and they always get snatched up at gatherings. The coolest thing? They're actually quite easy to whip up.

What Makes These Candy Balls Special

The wonderful combo happens as creamy white chocolate blends with tangy orange peel, creating that nostalgic orange cream flavor we all cherish. These aren't just sweets—they're tiny happiness doses that look gorgeous while tasting amazing.

Your Shopping List

  • • Main Component - White Chocolate: 8 oz of premium Ghirardelli Bars that melt wonderfully
  • • For Smoothness - Butter: 2 tablespoons room temperature unsalted for best results
  • • Zingy Element - Orange Zest: 2 tablespoons grated from a fresh medium orange
  • • Smooth Factor - Heavy Cream: 3 tablespoons for that luxurious mouth feel
  • • Flavor Boost - Orange Extract: 1 teaspoon to nail that dreamy orange cream taste
  • • Visual Appeal - Food Coloring: Several drops of orange oil-based for the perfect look
  • • Outer Layer - Powdered Sugar: Enough to coat them completely for presentation and handling

Steps To Sweet Success

Create Your Flavor Base
Heat the butter with orange zest until your house smells wonderful. Cool it down slightly.
Combine Everything
Carefully melt white chocolate in short bursts, then add your zesty butter mix, cream, and orange extract until everything looks smooth and velvety.
Wait Patiently
Wrap your mixture and stick it in the fridge for around 2 hours until it's firm enough to handle.
Form Your Treats
Make small balls with your hands and let them set up quickly in the freezer.
Add The Finishing Touch
Coat them in powdered sugar or dunk in melted chocolate if you want to get fancy.
A plate of white chocolate truffles topped with orange zest and white sprinkles, with halved oranges in the background. Pin it
A plate of white chocolate truffles topped with orange zest and white sprinkles, with halved oranges in the background. | linacooks.com

Fun Candy Background

Chocolate truffles first showed up in France around 1895. They got their name because they look similar to those expensive mushrooms that grow beneath the soil. Kind of neat, isn't it?

Storage Tips

Store your candy balls in a sealed container in your fridge and they'll stay good for two weeks. Need them to last longer? Toss them in your freezer for up to three months. Here's a tip—use non-melting powdered sugar for coating so they'll stay nice looking longer.

Frequently Asked Questions

→ Why remove the orange zest pieces?

Removing zest bits keeps the truffle smooth while letting the orange oil flavor come through.

→ Is regular food dye okay to use?

Stick to oil-based dyes because water-based ones can mess up the melted chocolate.

→ What’s the reason for two chill times?

One chill helps shape them, the other firms them up fully for the best texture.

→ How’s the best way to store them?

Keep in the fridge in a sealed container for up to two weeks. Let them warm slightly before eating.

→ Can these treats be frozen?

Yes, freeze up to 3 months. After thawing in the fridge, recoat in powdered sugar if necessary.

Orange Truffles

Fresh orange zest and white chocolate come together in sweet, powdered-sugar-coated bites that remind you of a classic creamsicle.

Prep Time
30 Minutes
Cook Time
5 Minutes
Total Time
35 Minutes
By: Paolina

Category: Desserts

Difficulty: Intermediate

Cuisine: American

Yield: 18 Servings (18 truffles)

Dietary: Vegetarian, Gluten-Free

Ingredients

01 3 tablespoons heavy cream.
02 1/4 cup butter, unsalted.
03 1 cup of chopped white chocolate.
04 2 tablespoons of grated orange peel.
05 Optional: orange food dye (oil-based).
06 1/2 teaspoon orange flavor extract.
07 Powdered sugar, split into 1/2 cup portions.

Instructions

Step 01

Get a container you can seal, a strainer, and a spatula ready to go. Drop the chocolate into the container.

Step 02

Cook the butter along with orange zest for 1 minute until it starts bubbling. Pour in the cream and give it another 1-2 minutes of cooking, letting small bubbles appear.

Step 03

Pour the hot mixture onto the chocolate using a strainer. Push down on the zest to squeeze out every bit of oil. Leave it for about a minute. Add a few drops of food color and the orange extract, then whisk until the chocolate is mostly melted.

Step 04

Stick it in the freezer for an hour so it firms up.

Step 05

Scoop out tablespoons of mix, shape them into small balls, and roll them in powdered sugar. Pop them back in the fridge for another hour.

Notes

  1. Stick to oil-based dyes.
  2. These make awesome gifts.
  3. Freeze leftovers; they’ll last 3 months.
  4. Keep them chilled for up to 2 weeks.
  5. Strain it twice if you want it silky smooth.
  6. Ideal for celebrations.

Tools You'll Need

  • A saucepan.
  • A strainer.
  • A container with a lid.
  • A scoop for cookies.

Allergy Information

Please check ingredients for potential allergens and consult a health professional if in doubt.
  • Contains dairy: cream, chocolate, and butter.

Nutrition Facts (Per Serving)

It is important to consider this information as approximate and not to use it as definitive health advice.
  • Calories: 84
  • Total Fat: 6 g
  • Total Carbohydrate: 8 g
  • Protein: 1 g