Guinness-Pretzel Truffles

I’ll usually wait until March to start parading around ale-infused sweets, but since beer-flavored truffles make a great Valentine’s Day gift for the guy in my life, exceptions are made. Plus, a thought occurred to me while watching my Grizzly Adams-bearded hubby eat a heart shaped cookie – maybe he deserves a break from all the pink and frilly that comes from my kitchen.

Frequent readers will find this a familiar flavor combination. There’s something about the deep malty flavor of Guinness paired with chocolate and that crunchy, salty last bite of pretzel that just does it for me. What’s better, these are a snap to make so there’s no good reason to turn up empty-handed on Valentine’s Day -or even St. Paddy’s Day.

The thing I really love about these truffles – there’s no heavy cream involved. Because of this, the ganache is slightly more firm when chilled. And if you’re one of those people who have trouble palm-rolling ganache because you have very warm hands, then this may be your truffle recipe.

These look nice all lined up on a party tray, and skewering them with cocktail forks will make for easy pick-up!

You can find some of my other chocolaty Guinness treats, here.

Guinness-Pretzel Truffles

Yield: 16 truffles

Prep: 30 minutes

Total with chilling: 3 hrs 15 minutes

[click for printable version]

12 oz. bottle Guinness Extra Stout (divided)

8 oz. semisweet chocolate

1/2 cup softened unsalted butter, cut into pieces

3/4 cup finely pulverized pretzel rods

3/4 cup crushed pretzels for rolling truffles

  1. Place 1/4 cup plus 2 tbsp. Guinness Stout in a 2 cup
    saucepan.  Set aside.
  2. Pour the remaining Guinness Stout in a separate small
    saucepan and bring to a simmer.  Cook
    until reduced to 1 tablespoon, about 15- 20 minutes.  Be sure to keep an eye on this because, once
    reduced considerably, it can burn easily.
  3. Chop the chocolate into pieces and place in the saucepan
    with the Guinness Stout. Place the saucepan over medium- low heat and let stand
    until the chocolate starts to melt.  Stir
    with a wire whisk to blend together the chocolate pieces, but don’t whisk
    vigorously – we’re not trying to incorporate air.
  4. When the chocolate is melted and smooth, begin to add
    butter 1 tbsp.  at a time. Whisk gently
    until butter is melted, and then add the 1 tbsp. Guinness Stout reduction.  Stir in the pulverized pretzels.
  5. Pour the chocolate mixture into a bowl and chill in the
    refrigerator until firm (or overnight).
  6. Line a cookie sheet with wax paper. Scoop out ganache out
    by the heaping tablespoon and quickly roll between your palms.
  7. Once all the chocolate is used up, chill the truffles in
    an air-tight container in the fridge until ready to roll in crushed pretzels.
    These chocolates will keep for 7 days when stored properly in the refrigerator.  Roll truffles in crushed pretzels just before
    serving (so they’ll be crunchy!).

Tips:

  • Pretzel rods can be finely pulverized in a food
    processor.  Avoid getting large pretzel
    pieces in the ganache, it will give the finished truffle a lumpy, undesirable
    texture.
  • If crushed pretzels resist sticking to the chilled
    truffles, roll the truffles between your palms to warm them up, and then roll
    in the pretzels. The pieces should stick.
  • If you’re watching your salt content, unsalted pretzels may be used in the ganache mixture.
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Donna B.
Donna B.
11 years ago

Oh. My. Gosh. ♥

Unknown
Unknown
11 years ago

Holy fantastic Batman!! My boyfriend is going to loves these! I have a questions though. I recently made a chocolate cake that called for Guinness, but a lot of reviews said they used Young's Double Chocolate Stout instead. Do you think that could be substitued here as well? Can't wait to try these!

Cassie | Bake Your Day
Cassie | Bake Your Day
11 years ago

These are amazing, such a fun and unique recipe. We love Guiness around here 🙂

Angela @ the fairy bread chronicles
Angela @ the fairy bread chronicles
11 years ago

these are definitely the manliest truffles i have ever seen! a great idea for the boy in one's life 😉

Simo
Simo
11 years ago

devono essere deliziosi!!!!! L'aspetto è magnifico……

Heather Baird
Heather Baird
11 years ago

Hey Brianna!

Yes! You can use chocolate stout, or any stout you like! It will impart a slightly different flavor, of course. We like Guinness because of its earthiness and slightly acidic aftertaste.

Best of luck with the truffles!

xo

Rosa's Yummy Yums
Rosa's Yummy Yums
11 years ago

They looks and sound amazing! Great truffles.

Cheers,

Rosa

Annie @ Annie's City Kitchen
Annie @ Annie's City Kitchen
11 years ago

Welp, I'm heading to the grocery store right after work to make these. They sound totally amazing.

Lora
Lora
11 years ago

What a great idea to do a "manly" Valentine's treat post. These look delicious!

Heather || Heather's Dish
Heather || Heather's Dish
11 years ago

I'm pretty sure it's appropriate for me to propose to you now – marry me? 🙂

Cristiana
Cristiana
11 years ago

Un'idea più bella dell'altra…cri

Liz
Liz
11 years ago

Love the combination! I'll definitely have to try real soon! 🙂

Peabody
Peabody
11 years ago

Love these! My wedding amazingly enough is beer themed (in a brewery) so I'm pretty sure these need to be on the dessert table…especially since they can be made ahead of time!

Christine @ Just A Mrs
Christine @ Just A Mrs
11 years ago

These look amazing!! Where did you get your small serving forks??

Sarah
Sarah
11 years ago

Mmmmm, salty, sweet and bitter all in one. These sound like the perfect decadent treat for a man friend.

Jennifer @ Not Your Momma's Cookie
Jennifer @ Not Your Momma's Cookie
11 years ago

Mmmmm….these sound absolutely amazing!

Erin @ Dinners, Dishes, and Desserts
Erin @ Dinners, Dishes, and Desserts
11 years ago

Yes please! These would for sure be a truffle my husband can get behind!

Stephanie @ Girl Versus Dough
Stephanie @ Girl Versus Dough
11 years ago

These are UNREAL. Pinning!

Anonymous
Anonymous
11 years ago

Oohh, I love this!! Such a fantastic flavor combination and even BETTER because it's in truffle form 😀

Anonymous
Anonymous
11 years ago

Damn these look good! Think they would be the perfect Father's Day gift. Saving this one!

FoodNerd x

Nina @ ambrosia
Nina @ ambrosia
11 years ago

Oh boy, I LOVE this idea. I was just looking around for some more unconventional truffle recipes, and this one definitely hit the spot. They're perfect! I'm excited to try these out, especially because I've never made truffles without heavy cream before! Great recipe.

Erin
Erin
11 years ago

I need to remember these for when St. Patrick's day rolls around!

bridget {bake at 350}
bridget {bake at 350}
11 years ago

Absolutely gorgeous!!! Love the recipe AND the pictures!!!

Elizabeth@ Food Ramblings
Elizabeth@ Food Ramblings
11 years ago

wow- i'm in love!!

Colette (Coco)
Colette (Coco)
11 years ago

What man wouldn't want this for Valentine's??

Tracy {pale yellow}
Tracy {pale yellow}
11 years ago

These look perfect for St. Patrick's Day, so yummy!

Unknown
Unknown
11 years ago

This looks very interesting. Happy almost Valentine's Day!

Jen
Jen
11 years ago

Heather, these are FABULOUS!!! I just rolled mine tonight and I had trouble not eating them as I did. I actually substituted Lancaster Milk Stout for the Guinness even though I love Guinness and chocolate. I couldn't beat the price of one $2 milk stout instead of $12.95 for a 6-pack of G. I think I'm going to dip them in some chocolate before rolling them in the pretzel bits. My husband is going to love these for Valentine's Day. Thanks!!!

Bellenza Bistro
Bellenza Bistro
11 years ago

Perfect treat to impress guests at a St. Paddy's Day party!

Malgosia
Malgosia
11 years ago

This combo of sweet, salty, and beer is perfect!!

_Julie_
_Julie_
11 years ago

I know this might be a stupid question; I am going to ask… I am making them right now, so I will apply the answer St. Patty's day 🙂
When chilling it overnight, should it be covered or in an air tight container?
Can't wait to have these with the hubby tomorrow…

Heather Baird
Heather Baird
11 years ago

Hi Julie!

It's not a stupid question at all!

It doesn't have to be air-tight. You can just cover it in plastic wrap if you like.

🙂

xo
H

Dana
Dana
11 years ago

Mmmm. How dark and foresty. These look so great!

Anonymous
Anonymous
11 years ago

I'm confused, do we reduce the 1/4 cup of guinness, or the larger amount?

Elizabeth @ Confessions of a Baking Queen
Elizabeth @ Confessions of a Baking Queen
11 years ago

I love Guinness desserts. Chocolate + Guinness are meant to be! I work at a British Pub so these will be a dessert my co workers will love! Beautiful pictures 🙂

Lynna
Lynna
11 years ago

Oh these are simply adorableeeee!!! The presentation is too cute!!

Lynna
Lynna
11 years ago

Oh these are simply adorableeeee!!! The presentation is too cute!!

Lynna
Lynna
11 years ago

Oh these are simply adorableeeee!!! The presentation is too cute!!

Heidi
Heidi
11 years ago

Where's the "like" and "gimmie" button?

Heather Baird
Heather Baird
11 years ago

To Anonymous –

You do not reduce the 1/4 cup plus 2 tbsp. Guinness. You reduce the larger amount.

-H

Gina
Gina
11 years ago

Amazing. I first had a Guinness float about two years ago with coffee ice cream. I've since ordered any incarnation of a dessert with Guinness I can find, but I've never had a Guinness truffle. Thank you, thank you.

Cooking Quidnunc
Cooking Quidnunc
11 years ago

These looks so incredible!!

lemonkerdz
lemonkerdz
11 years ago

Guinness is so versatile and used in cooking so much. Love the idea of adult chocolates. great recipe

alyssa @ cogsandcupcakes
alyssa @ cogsandcupcakes
11 years ago

I love the chocolate+beer combo; these look SO awesome!

Ali | Gimme Some Oven
Ali | Gimme Some Oven
11 years ago

Beautiful photos! And those truffles sound TOTALLY irresistible. I love all things with chocolate and pretzels. And of course, Guinness. 😉

Mr. L
Mr. L
11 years ago

Can you use Guinness Draught instead of the extra stout?

Amisha
Amisha
10 years ago

These look like fun! will have to give it a try!

Jennifer
Jennifer
10 years ago

Hi, I had a question. I want to make these for a 40th birthday party in two weeks. What is the difference, in the recipe, between the crushed pretzels and the pulverized pretzel rods? They both seem like finely crushed pretzels, but do they have a different consistency? Thanks!

Heather Baird
Heather Baird
10 years ago

Hi Jennifer! Pulverized pretzels are essentially almost powdered, crushed pretzels are coarser. Hope this helps!

Jennifer
Jennifer
10 years ago

Thanks for answering my previous question. I have one more (making the truffles today): Is it 3/4 cup of pretzels prior to pulverizing, or is it 3/4 cup of pulverized pretzels?