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 cream; 200 g (7 oz) dark cooking chocolate (70% cocoa solids), finely chopped; ¼ teaspoon ground cinnamon; ⅓ cup fruit mince; 180 g (6 oz) milk cooking chocolate; 100 g (3 ½ oz) white cooking chocolate; 9 red glacé/candied cherries, halved

There’s something truly magical about the melt-in-your-mouth richness combined with that festive burst of fruity spice — that’s exactly what makes the Christmas Fruit Mince Truffles Recipe so special. These little bites of joy bring a cozy holiday spirit to any gathering or quiet night in.

The image shows a small round dessert placed on a smooth white marble stand. The dessert has a glossy dark brown base, covered by a thick layer of matte milk chocolate with a soft texture. On top, there is a drizzle of white cream that flows down the sides softly. A shiny, deep red cherry sits at the very top, its surface smooth and reflective. In the background, there are several similar desserts and a white bowl filled with shiny dark red cherries, all placed on a white marbled surface. 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

This Christmas Fruit Mince Truffles Recipe is honestly one of my favorite festive treats to make. Not only do they feel indulgent, but they also carry that wonderful homemade warmth packed with seasonal flavors that store-bought chocolates rarely match.

Effortless elegance: These truffles look like you spent hours but come together with surprisingly little fuss.
Deep festive flavor: The spiced fruit mince adds a unique, Christmassy twist unlike ordinary chocolate truffles.
Customizable: You can easily tweak the ingredients to fit your tastes or dietary needs without losing the festive magic.
Perfect for gifting: They store well and look gorgeous wrapped up in a pretty box or tin.

Ingredients & Why They Work

Every ingredient in this Christmas Fruit Mince Truffles Recipe plays its part in creating a luscious texture and a layered flavor. When you combine rich dark chocolate with smooth cream and that tart, spiced fruit mince, you get a taste that’s both indulgent and deeply seasonal.

Flat lay of a small white ceramic bowl of thickened cream, a small white ceramic bowl filled with finely chopped dark chocolate chunks, a small white ceramic bowl with ground cinnamon powder, a small white ceramic bowl containing glossy homemade fruit mince, a small white ceramic bowl with smooth milk chocolate pieces, a small white ceramic bowl holding white chocolate chunks, and nine halved vibrant red glacé cherries arranged neatly, 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 here ensures your truffles are creamy and melt beautifully in your mouth.
Dark cooking chocolate (70% cacao): The extra cocoa intensity balances the sweetness from the fruit mince and cream.
Ground cinnamon: Just a pinch lifts and deepens the fruit mince’s flavors—don’t skip it!
Fruit mince: Homemade is ideal for the best flavors, but a good-quality store-bought will work fine too.
Milk cooking chocolate: This forms the smooth, sweet coating that contrasts delightfully with the dark interior.
White cooking chocolate: Used for decoration, it adds a pretty, festive touch to each truffle.
Red glacé cherries: Their vibrant color and subtle sweetness tie the whole look and flavor together perfectly.

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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 experimenting a bit with these truffles depending on the crowd — sometimes I’ll swap a few raisins or candied peel in the fruit mince, or use a splash of brandy-infused fruit mince to kick the richness up a notch. They’re really forgiving if you want to tweak the spices or coating.

Variation: I tried substituting the milk chocolate coating for dark chocolate to amp up the bittersweet notes—it was a hit with the adults!

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

A white plate holds a stack of round chocolate balls topped with a smooth layer of white chocolate that drips slightly down the sides. Each ball is crowned with a shiny, dark red cherry. One ball is cut in half and placed on top, showing a dense, dark brown inside with small bits of nuts and fruit. The plate sits on a white marbled surface with a blurred background. Photo taken with an iphone --ar 2:3 --v 7

Step 1: Warm and Blend the Cream and Chocolate

I start by gently heating the cream until it’s just below boiling—watch it closely here, you don’t want it to scald. Then I switch off the heat and stir in the chopped dark chocolate until the mix is flawlessly smooth and glossy. This is the luxurious base for our truffles, so patience here pays off.

Step 2: Stir in the Spice and Fruit Mince

Once the mixture has cooled for about 5 minutes, I sprinkle in the ground cinnamon and fold through the fruit mince. This step is what transforms the truffles from ordinary chocolate bites into festive flavor bombs. Make sure it’s evenly mixed so each truffle has its fair share of those aromatic fruits and spices.

Step 3: Chill Until Firm Enough to Roll

I pour the mixture into a lined small dish then pop it in the fridge for at least 1 ½ to 2 hours. The goal here is a firm, sliceable texture that’s easy to scoop and roll without melting in your hands.

Step 4: Shape and Chill the Truffle Balls

Using a small ice cream scoop, I form neat little balls from the chilled mixture and place them on a baking tray lined with parchment. If the mixture is still too hard to shape, a few minutes at room temp softens it just right. Pop these back into the fridge to firm up before coating.

Step 5: Melt the Coatings and Dip

Next, I gently melt the milk chocolate over a simmering water bath—or microwave in short bursts. Once smooth, I dip each truffle ball carefully, making sure it’s fully coated. Then, I set them on parchment to harden. The same goes for the white chocolate, which I use later to add a festive flourish on top.

Step 6: Decorate with Cherries and Chill

While the coating is still soft, I add a half glacé cherry on top with a dab of white chocolate to hold it in place. Then one last chill in the fridge before they're ready to share or gift.

Top Tip

From my experience, a few thoughtful touches go a long way to nailing this recipe. The best truffles require a little patience while chilling at the right stages, so don’t rush it!

Quality Chocolate Matters: Using good dark chocolate with at least 70% cocoa gives the truffles a rich depth that balances the sweet fruit mince perfectly.
Watch Your Temperatures: Keeping the melted chocolate warm but not hot helps you dip smoothly without melting the truffle inside.
Use a Small Scoop: This keeps your truffles uniform and makes rolling easier — plus, they’re so much more fun to eat when they’re bite-sized!
Don’t Skip the Chill: Proper refrigeration is the key to firm, perfectly snag-free truffles.

How to Serve Christmas Fruit Mince Truffles Recipe

Christmas Mince Truffles - Serving Suggestion

Garnishes

I love topping each truffle with a half glacé cherry and a drizzle of white chocolate—it instantly makes them look festive and inviting. If I’m feeling extra fancy, I sometimes sprinkle edible gold dust for that holiday sparkle.

Side Dishes

These truffles are perfect alongside a warm cup of mulled wine, hot chocolate, or even a creamy eggnog. For larger gatherings, I like to serve them with a cheese board featuring figs, nuts, and honey for a diverse flavor experience.

Creative Ways to Present

For parties, I arrange these truffles in cupcake liners on a festive platter or pack them into clear gift boxes tied with ribbon. It’s amazing how simple presentation transforms them into a wow-worthy treat everyone remembers.

Make Ahead and Storage

Storing Leftovers

I always store leftover truffles in an airtight container in the fridge, layered between sheets of parchment so they don’t stick together. They keep beautifully fresh for up to one week—giving you plenty of time to nibble away!

Freezing

If you want to make these well ahead, freezing works like a charm. Just freeze them in a sealed container lined with parchment paper for up to three months. They might get some chocolate bloom, but the taste stays delicious.

Reheating

Because these truffles are meant to be enjoyed chilled, I let frozen truffles thaw in the fridge overnight before serving. Avoid warming them up, as that can affect the texture and chocolate coating.

Frequently Asked Questions:

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

Absolutely! While I prefer homemade fruit mince for its fresh flavor, a good-quality store-bought version will work perfectly. Just make sure it’s vegetarian and delicious, since it’s a star ingredient here.

What if I don’t have an ice cream scoop to shape the truffles?

No worries! You can use two spoons or your hands to gently shape the mixture into balls. If the mixture feels sticky, chill it a little longer first—it helps to keep the shape neater.

How do I prevent the chocolate coating from melting the truffles?

Make sure the melted chocolate has cooled slightly before dipping and that the truffles are well chilled. If the chocolate is too hot, it will soften the truffle center and make dipping messy.

Can I make these truffles vegan or dairy-free?

It's a bit tricky because the recipe depends on cream and chocolate with dairy, but you could experiment with coconut cream and vegan chocolate. Just be mindful the texture and flavor will vary from the traditional version.

Final Thoughts

Making this Christmas Fruit Mince Truffles Recipe feels like wrapping up a little piece of the season in one perfect bite. It’s a treat I always come back to because it’s simple enough for a weekday Christmas prep but impressive enough to share with guests. I hope you enjoy making these as much as I do—your kitchen will smell like Christmas, and your friends and family will thank you!