Chili Chocolate Mascarpone Truffles

This recipe can use any one of the following Something Special products: Gourmet Red Chili  •  Red Chili Pepper Spread Melted bittersweet chocolate blended with Something Special Red Chili Dip and Mascarpone scooped into truffles and rolled in cayenne-spiked cocoa powder and/or icing sugar. It’s a perfect blend of sweet and heat.

1/4 cup Gourmet Red Chili
1/2 cup (125g) mascarpone*
8 oz. (250g) bittersweet chocolate, very finely chopped
1 cup cocoa powder or icing sugar, or 1/2 cup of each
1/4 tsp cayenne pepper

Mix together Something Special Red Chili Dip and mascarpone in a small saucepan. Gently warm mixture over low heat, stirring, until hot but not boiling.

Pour chili-mascarpone mixture into a medium bowl over chocolate, stirring until chocolate is completely melted. Chill 1 hour until firm enough to scoop.

Mix cayenne and cocoa powder in a medium bowl. Set aside.

Scoop 1 teaspoon chilled chocolate mixture, rolling in your hands, to form balls. Drop balls into cocoa-cayenne mixture (or icing sugar) and shake to cover. Transfer to parchment lined baking sheet.

Chill until firm. Keep refrigerated. Makes 32-36 truffles.

* Softened cream cheese can be substituted for the mascarpone.