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February 2017 By i sugar coat it! 26 Comments

Caramelized Cacao Nibs Bonbons

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A coffee lover's dream, these dark chocolate nespresso-like pods are filled with a luxurious white chocolate espresso caramelized cacao nib ganache.

A coffee lover's dream, these Caramelized Cacao Nibs Bonbons are dark chocolate nespresso-like pods are filled with a luxurious white chocolate espresso caramelized cacao nib ganache.

Happy February!! It's the month of all things, pink and red, but more importantly, chocolate! It's fitting then to kick things off with some seriously intense chocolate love. These Caramelized Cacao Nibs Bonbons are a coffee and chocolate lover's dream!

These Caramelized Cacao Nibs Bonbons are dark chocolate cast in a nespresso-pod-shaped mold, filled with a rich, dreamy caramelized cacao nib and espresso white chocolate ganache. I am  feeling ALL THE FEELS for this one, guys!

A coffee lover's dream, these Caramelized Cacao Nibs Bonbons are dark chocolate nespresso-like pods are filled with a luxurious white chocolate espresso caramelized cacao nib ganache.Oddly, I was never much of a coffee drinker - I made it through school and life on matcha and chai - but, these days I find myself indulging in the occasional latte, thanks to our Nespresso machine. Although I don't fancy myself much of a coffee drinker, I do love to add it to baking and desserts. It complements and enhances chocolate beautifully.

For these bonbons, I wanted to recreate the latte I've been enjoying in ganache form. I decided on Livanto Nespresso pods. It's an Arabica from South and Central America with distinct caramelized notes. Its aromatic profile is described as 'a combination of cereal, malted and caramelized notes, as well as fine fruity notes'.

A coffee lover's dream, these Caramelized Cacao Nibs Bonbons are dark chocolate nespresso-like pods are filled with a luxurious white chocolate espresso caramelized cacao nib ganache.To temper the sweetness of the white chocolate in the ganache and intensify the chocolate/coffee flavours and for added texture, I added cacao nibs. They are the unprocessed bits of the cacao bean that are eventually ground to make chocolate. They do not have any added sugar, which may be off-putting for some. I happen to love the natural bitterness of cacao nibs, but far be it from me to pass up a chance to sugar-coat them. 😉

I first learned of the idea of caramelizing cacao nibs from a Michael Recchiuti recipe. He sprinkled them onto white chocolate bark, which was YUM, but I thought they would be just as amazing in ganache.

I made a batch of caramelized cacao nibs and snacked my way through that in record time. To avoid a repeat, the second batch quickly went into the ganache, then into my Caramelized Cacao Nibs Bonbons and finally into a few eagerly waiting mouths and tummies.

A coffee lover's dream, these Caramelized Cacao Nibs Bonbons are dark chocolate nespresso-like pods are filled with a luxurious white chocolate espresso caramelized cacao nib ganache.

I know I am not alone in being totally consumed and at times appalled with all the goings on of late. It's partly why blogging hasn't been top of mind. It's been difficult to come here to sweet talk, while being force-fed intolerance and alternate truths on the daily.

What better way to get rid of some of that bad taste than with chocolate...times 3! With V-DAY not too far off, these Caramelized Cacao Nibs Bonbons might be just the thing to whip up to help sweeten our mood.

Caramelized Cacao Nibs Bonbons

A coffee lover's dream, these dark chocolate nespresso-like pods are filled with a luxurious white chocolate espresso caramelized cacao nib ganache.
Print Recipe
Prep Time: 30 minutes minutes
Cook Time: 10 minutes minutes
Total Time: 40 minutes minutes
Course: Dessert
Servings: 21 bonbons
Author: jacquee | i sugar coat it

Ingredients

Chocolate for Molding

  • 200 grams dark couverture, 70% (i used Valrhona Guanaja)

Cacao Nibs

  • 170 grams cacao nibs
  • 96 grams granulated sugar
  • 5 grams unsalted butter, high fat (i use Stirling Creamery 84)

Ganache

  • 100 grams cream 35%
  • 12 grams espresso or coffee
  • 210 grams white chocolate, 33% (i used Valrhona Ivoire)
  • 30 grams caramelized cacao nibs

Instructions

Mold the chocolate:

  • Temper the chocolate per the manufacturer's instructions, and cast using a mold of your preferred shape.

Caramelize the cacao nibs:

  • Prepare a sheet pan with a silicone baking mat or parchment paper.
  • Add the nibs and sugar to a saucepan and heat the mixture over high heat, stirring vigorously and continually with a wooden spoon until sugar is mostly melted.
  • Remove the saucepan from the heat and stir in the butter.
  • Spread the nibs onto the prepared sheet pan and allow to cool to room temperature.

Make the ganache:

  • Melt the chocolate in a medium size bowl and set aside.
  • Add the cream and coffee to a small saucepan and bring to a light boil. Cover and set aside to steep for 5-10 minutes.
  • Strain the cream and coffee mixture onto the melted chocolate, while stirring. Continue to stir until fully incorporated and smooth.
  • Crush some the caramelized cacao nibs into smaller bits and fold into the ganache. Allow to cool, preferably overnight for a more intense flavour.

Assemble the bonbons:

  • Pipe the cooled ganache into the molded chocolate and allow to set, preferable overnight.
  • Use the remaining tempered dark chocolate to cap the bonbons. Allow to set, then turn the bonbons out.
Tried this recipe?Mention @isugarcoatit or tag #isugarcoatit !
A coffee lover's dream, these dark chocolate nespresso-like pods are filled with a luxurious white chocolate espresso caramelized cacao nib ganache.


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Reader Interactions

Comments

  1. Fred says

    February 06, 2017 at 6:20 pm

    These treats have got my mouth watering. And it seems easy to make. Thanks for sharing!

    Reply
    • I Sugar Coat It! says

      February 06, 2017 at 8:55 pm

      They are indeed quite easy, Fred!! Thanks.

      Reply
  2. Aish Das-Padihari says

    February 07, 2017 at 4:33 pm

    Forget about the recipe for a sec..I'm smitten by the pics. Can you teach me please? And, yes, they look pretty easy to make.

    Reply
    • I Sugar Coat It! says

      February 08, 2017 at 6:36 am

      WELL...why is it the photos I am not so sure about, others seem to like?!? Thanks, yes it's a really simple recipe.

      Reply
  3. Dene' V. Alexander says

    February 07, 2017 at 5:52 pm

    Whoa!! These look really cool. The inside it like a hidden flavor surrounded by chocolate. Perfect for Valentine's Day!!

    Reply
    • I Sugar Coat It! says

      February 08, 2017 at 6:37 am

      Perfect V-Day for a chocolate/coffee lover, right!! 🙂 Thanks!

      Reply
  4. Marie-Pierre Breton says

    February 08, 2017 at 4:07 am

    What a genius Idea!!!! Love the textures in there but mostly the flavors seems SPOT ON! Lovely!

    Reply
    • I Sugar Coat It! says

      February 08, 2017 at 6:38 am

      The flavour was great - could be even stronger for serious coffee lover, but I'm a lightweight. 😉 Thanks!

      Reply
  5. Gloria @ Homemade & Yummy says

    February 08, 2017 at 2:07 pm

    Ok these look totally addictive. Perfect to go with a cup of coffee, or a nice glass of wine. I would love a couple of these right about now.

    Reply
    • I Sugar Coat It! says

      February 11, 2017 at 11:22 pm

      I'll take that wine, thank you! 😉

      Reply
  6. Elizabeth says

    February 10, 2017 at 2:01 am

    How absolutely beautiful are these?! They're almost too pretty to eat - almost. 😉 I need them in my life!

    Reply
    • I Sugar Coat It! says

      February 11, 2017 at 11:25 pm

      Almost...they were devoured quickly and effortlessly. Thank you!

      Reply
  7. All That I'm Eating says

    February 10, 2017 at 6:10 am

    I wouldn't even know where to begin making these, they look AMAZING!

    Reply
    • I Sugar Coat It! says

      February 12, 2017 at 9:41 am

      A little nibble or bit is a good place to begin... 😉 Thank you!

      Reply
  8. Jacqueline (PiperCooks) says

    February 10, 2017 at 7:27 pm

    These are so beautiful. I saw these on pinterest first and commented there. Love the photos also, very dark and moody, perfect for a chocolate/coffee recipe.

    Reply
    • I Sugar Coat It! says

      February 12, 2017 at 9:44 am

      Hi Jacqueline! Yes, I saw your note and responded - thanks for popping by and for your sweet comment. Appreciate you taking the time.

      Reply
  9. Leslie-Anne says

    February 10, 2017 at 8:05 pm

    This is one of the most creative and appealing blog posts I've seen in such a long time. Maybe its that I am a complete coffee fiend and I haven't had any chocolate in over a month but I am so impressed with your use of nespresso pods as molds AND the idea of caramelized cacao nibs - I will 100% be trying that soon. It is hard to talk about food in these times but I think its such a needed distraction nowadays.

    Reply
    • I Sugar Coat It! says

      February 12, 2017 at 9:50 am

      Thanks for the lovely comment, Leslie-Anne! The mold is a fund little addition to my collection. The caramelized cacao nibs were such a treat (i am making another batch today).

      Reply
  10. Sarah James @ Tales From The Kitchen Shed says

    February 11, 2017 at 7:57 am

    Wow, your bonbons look almost too good to eat. What a great idea and I love the idea of adding cacao nibs to the ganache, inspired.

    Reply
    • I Sugar Coat It! says

      February 12, 2017 at 9:51 am

      Pleased you were inspired, Sarah! Hope you give the cacao nibs a try. Thanks!

      Reply
  11. Sarah says

    February 11, 2017 at 9:21 am

    I've never made bonbons before! I've always wanted to learn and this recipe is great incentive to do so! Simply gorgeous!

    Reply
    • I Sugar Coat It! says

      February 12, 2017 at 9:52 am

      Thanks, Sarah! Go for it!!

      Reply
  12. Lynne Curry says

    February 12, 2017 at 11:34 pm

    I have a secret love for cacao nibs but never quite know what to do with them. Caramelizing them is a wonderful idea. I have no doubt these incredible confections are just what we need to soothe the mind at times like this. Beautiful!

    Reply
  13. Manju | Cooking Curries says

    February 13, 2017 at 2:16 am

    haha! This is a funny one, cos I saw the pics and was looking for the bonbons and then I read your post to see that they were made in molds shaped like nespresso pods. Looks great!

    Reply
  14. Annette says

    July 24, 2017 at 5:07 am

    Hello
    where did you buy your polycarbonate molds from? these look amazing

    Reply
    • jacquee | i sugar coat it! says

      September 12, 2017 at 12:54 pm

      So sorry I missed your note - it was in spam. You can find them on Amazon!

      Reply

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