If you ask me what treat I look forward to the most every holiday season, my answer is always the same: Christmas Truffles. These snowy little bites are more than just a festive dessert — they’re a bite-sized expression of holiday joy. Made with creamy white chocolate, dotted with tart dried cranberries and crunchy pistachios, and finished in a light dusting of powdered sugar, they’re the perfect combination of sweet, rich, and refreshing. I love how easy they are to make, yet they feel so special — like something you’d find in a gourmet gift box.

Every December, I whip up a big batch to share with friends and family, wrap them in little cellophane bags, and they always steal the show at cookie swaps and holiday parties. They’re irresistibly creamy and just the right amount of indulgent. If you’ve never made truffles before, don’t worry — this recipe is practically foolproof. Let me walk you through every step to make your own festive batch of Christmas Truffles at home.
Why You’ll Love This Christmas Truffles Recipe
These truffles aren’t just pretty to look at — they taste even better. The white chocolate gives them a smooth and silky base, while the cranberries add a pleasant tartness that balances the sweetness. Pistachios bring texture and a festive pop of green that looks beautiful against the creamy white. Whether you’re gifting them, serving them after dinner, or sneaking one late at night (like I do), they hit the spot every single time.
What Kind of White Chocolate Should I Use?
For truffles, quality really matters. I recommend using white chocolate bars instead of chips. Chips are designed to hold their shape and don’t melt as smoothly. Look for white chocolate that lists cocoa butter as one of the first ingredients — it will melt better and create that rich, velvety texture you want in truffles. Brands like Lindt or Ghirardelli work beautifully.
Options for Substitutions
Not a fan of pistachios? Swap them for chopped almonds, pecans, or even macadamia nuts. You can also change up the dried fruit — dried cherries or golden raisins are great alternatives to cranberries. If you prefer a dairy-free version, try using coconut milk and a high-quality vegan white chocolate. And for a richer, deeper flavor, a touch of orange zest or a splash of almond extract can be added to the truffle mixture before chilling.
Ingredients for this Christmas Truffles Recipe
- White Chocolate (high quality) – This is the base of the truffle and provides that rich, creamy mouthfeel. Always go for a bar instead of chips to ensure smooth melting.
- Heavy Cream – A splash of cream helps to soften the chocolate into a silky ganache, making the truffles creamy and rich.
- Unsalted Butter – Adds smoothness and a bit of structure to the truffle texture, preventing it from becoming too soft.
- Dried Cranberries – Their tart flavor contrasts beautifully with the sweetness of the chocolate, and they add festive red specks throughout.
- Shelled Pistachios – These bring a satisfying crunch and that signature holiday green pop of color.
- Powdered Sugar – Used for dusting the truffles, giving them a soft, snowy exterior that screams Christmas.
- Vanilla Extract – Enhances the overall flavor of the truffles with warm, sweet depth.
- Salt (just a pinch) – Balances the sweetness and amplifies the flavor profile.

Step 1: Melt the White Chocolate
Chop your white chocolate finely and place it in a heatproof bowl. Set it aside while you heat the cream and butter in a small saucepan over medium heat until just simmering. Pour the hot cream mixture over the chocolate and let it sit undisturbed for 2 minutes.
Step 2: Stir Until Smooth
After letting the chocolate sit with the hot cream, stir gently with a spatula or whisk until the chocolate is fully melted and the mixture is smooth and glossy. If you still see small chunks, you can place the bowl over a pan of simmering water and stir gently until completely smooth.
Step 3: Add Flavor and Texture
Stir in the vanilla extract and a pinch of salt. Fold in the chopped dried cranberries and pistachios until evenly distributed throughout the mixture. Make sure the add-ins are finely chopped so the truffles hold together well when rolled.
Step 4: Chill the Mixture
Cover the bowl with plastic wrap and refrigerate the mixture for at least 2 hours, or until it is firm enough to scoop and roll. You can also let it chill overnight if making ahead.
Step 5: Roll the Truffles
Use a small cookie scoop or spoon to portion out the truffle mixture. Roll each portion between your palms to form smooth balls. If the mixture gets too soft while rolling, pop it back into the fridge for a few minutes.
Step 6: Coat with Powdered Sugar
Place powdered sugar in a shallow dish and roll each truffle in it until completely coated. This gives the truffles their snowy appearance and adds a subtle sweetness to the outside.
Step 7: Store or Serve
Transfer the truffles to an airtight container and store in the fridge. Let them sit at room temperature for 5–10 minutes before serving so the texture is soft and creamy.
How Long to Prepare the Christmas Truffles
Making Christmas Truffles doesn’t take much active time, but patience is key when it comes to chilling.
Preparation Time: Chopping, melting, and mixing takes about 20 minutes. This includes the time needed to finely chop the white chocolate, cranberries, and pistachios, as well as stirring everything into a smooth ganache.
Chilling Time: The ganache mixture needs a minimum of 2 hours in the fridge to firm up properly. For best results, chilling overnight makes rolling easier and gives the flavors time to meld.
Rolling and Coating: Shaping the truffles and rolling them in powdered sugar takes about 20-30 minutes depending on the batch size.
Tips for Perfect Christmas Truffles
- Use high-quality chocolate: It’s the star of the show, so choose chocolate with real cocoa butter.
- Chill thoroughly: Don’t rush the chilling step. The firmer the ganache, the easier the truffles are to roll.
- Keep your hands cool: Warm hands melt truffle mixture quickly. Rinse your hands in cold water and dry before rolling.
- Uniform size: Use a cookie scoop for even truffle sizes — it helps them look beautiful and ensures consistent texture.
- Roll twice in sugar: For an extra snowy finish, roll the truffles in powdered sugar once after shaping, then again just before serving.
Watch Out for These Mistakes While Cooking
- Overheating the cream: If it boils, it may scorch or separate. Heat until just simmering.
- Using white chocolate chips: They often contain stabilizers and don’t melt smoothly.
- Skipping the salt: A tiny pinch of salt brings out the chocolate’s flavor and balances the sweetness.
- Adding ingredients too early: Let the ganache cool slightly before folding in cranberries and pistachios to prevent them from sinking.
- Rolling too soon: If the ganache hasn’t set enough, it’ll be a sticky mess. Chill longer if needed.
What to Serve With Christmas Truffles?
1. Hot Chocolate
The truffles pair beautifully with a warm mug of hot chocolate. The creamy sweetness of both treats is pure indulgence.
2. Mulled Wine
A festive glass of spiced wine complements the tart cranberries and sweet white chocolate for a grown-up dessert combo.
3. Coffee or Espresso
Serve truffles after dinner with strong coffee for a lovely balance of bitter and sweet.
4. Cheese Board
Surprisingly, truffles work well on a holiday cheese board, especially alongside aged cheddar and fruit preserves.
5. Sparkling Wine
A crisp glass of bubbly offers a refreshing contrast to the creamy richness of the truffles.
Storage Instructions
Refrigeration: Store the truffles in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 2 weeks. Layer them with parchment paper to prevent sticking. Bring them to room temperature for 5–10 minutes before serving to enjoy the creamy texture.
Freezing: Christmas Truffles can be frozen for up to 3 months. Place them in a single layer on a baking sheet to freeze initially, then transfer to a freezer-safe container. Thaw in the fridge overnight and dust with fresh powdered sugar before serving.
Estimated Nutrition
Per truffle (approximate, depending on size):
- Calories: 110
- Fat: 7g
- Saturated Fat: 4g
- Carbohydrates: 10g
- Sugar: 8g
- Protein: 1g
- Fiber: 0.5g
- Sodium: 10mg
Frequently Asked Questions
How do I prevent the truffles from sticking to my hands?
Chill the mixture well and keep your hands cool. You can also lightly dust your hands with powdered sugar before rolling.
Can I make these truffles in advance?
Absolutely! They keep well in the fridge for up to two weeks or in the freezer for longer. Just coat in powdered sugar before serving.
Do I have to use white chocolate?
White chocolate is traditional for this recipe, but you can try milk or dark chocolate. Just adjust the sweetness level accordingly.
Can I make these truffles vegan?
Yes. Use a plant-based cream and a vegan white chocolate brand. Make sure to check that your powdered sugar is vegan too.
What can I do if the mixture is too soft to roll?
Simply chill it longer. If it’s still too soft, you can mix in a tablespoon of ground almonds or crushed cookies to help firm it up.
Conclusion
Christmas Truffles are the perfect no-bake treat to bring joy to your holiday season. Rich, creamy, and full of festive flavor, they’re easy to make and even easier to love. Whether you serve them at a party, gift them in little boxes, or keep a stash in the fridge for yourself (no judgment!), these truffles are guaranteed to become a new holiday favorite. So gather your ingredients, turn on some holiday tunes, and start rolling — your sweet holiday tradition awaits.

Christmas Truffles
- Total Time: 2 hours 30 minutes
- Yield: 24 truffles 1x
Description
Soft, sweet, and snow-dusted, these Christmas Truffles are everything festive rolled into a creamy bite. Made with velvety white chocolate, tart dried cranberries, crunchy pistachios, and finished in a powdered sugar coating, they make the perfect easy dessert, edible gift, or party treat. Whether you’re looking for quick breakfast sweets, easy dinner desserts, holiday food ideas, or a healthy snack alternative to cookies, this is the easy recipe that delivers holiday magic in every bite.
Ingredients
340g white chocolate (high quality, chopped)
120ml heavy cream
1 tablespoon unsalted butter
60g dried cranberries (finely chopped)
60g shelled pistachios (finely chopped)
1 teaspoon vanilla extract
1 pinch salt
100g powdered sugar (for rolling)
Instructions
1. Chop the white chocolate finely and place it in a heatproof bowl.
2. In a small saucepan, heat the cream and butter over medium heat until just simmering.
3. Pour the hot cream mixture over the chopped chocolate. Let it sit for 2 minutes.
4. Stir gently until smooth and glossy. If needed, place over a simmering water bath to finish melting.
5. Stir in vanilla extract and a pinch of salt.
6. Fold in chopped cranberries and pistachios evenly.
7. Cover the bowl and chill the mixture for at least 2 hours or overnight.
8. Scoop out portions and roll into smooth truffle balls.
9. Roll each truffle in powdered sugar until fully coated.
10. Store in the fridge in an airtight container. Let sit at room temperature for 5–10 minutes before serving.
Notes
Keep your hands cold to prevent melting while rolling.
Use high-quality chocolate bars for the smoothest ganache.
Roll twice in powdered sugar for an extra snowy look before serving.
- Prep Time: 20 minutes
- Cook Time: 0 minutes
- Category: Dessert
- Method: No-bake
- Cuisine: Holiday, Christmas
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 truffle
- Calories: 110
- Sugar: 8g
- Sodium: 10mg
- Fat: 7g
- Saturated Fat: 4g
- Unsaturated Fat: 2.5g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: 10g
- Fiber: 0.5g
- Protein: 1g
- Cholesterol: 5mg
Keywords: Christmas truffles, white chocolate truffles, easy no-bake dessert, holiday treats, edible gifts, quick breakfast, healthy snack, dinner ideas