As someone who loves to make desserts, I was thrilled to find out Purdys Chocolatier offers truffle making classes . First opened in 1907 Purdys Chocolatier is Canada’s largest family-owned chocolate company that uses some of the profits from the chocolates to support cocoa farmers such as $2 of the sale the Clean Water Project Bar goes towards water filters in cocoa-growing communities.
Ever since I first tried Purdy chocolates when it opened at Rideau Center in Ottawa in 2014 they have become one my favorite chocolatiers in Ottawa because of their exciting flavored truffles such as sake and sakura, matcha, or Canadian ice wine.
Purdys Chocolatier Truffle Making Class
If you are looking for a fun cooking activity, the chocolate classes are perfect for you. Currently, both the chocolate truffles and chocolate bark classes are offered various locations across Canada, and here in Ottawa you can take the classes at Carlingwood or Place D’Orleans Mall. I signed up for the chocolate truffles class at Place D’Orleans which took place in the community room and was led by one of Purdys’ “purple apron” which are the staff who wear purple aprons in the shop to distinguish themselves as the store’s chocolate connoisseur.
The 2 hour class was highly informative with me learning a lot about chocolate and helping to further help me identify my favorite type of chocolate through learning about the 3 main types of cocoa beans and the flavor profiles associated with each, along with how the rendering of nibs can change the flavor of the chocolate.
After learning about the chocolate making process of fermentation, roasting, cracking and winnowing, and finally conching we got to sample some of Purdys Chocolatier single origin chocolate bars including Ecuador single origin bar which has the classic fudgy taste you would expect from chocolate, while the Peru single origin bar has a bolder taste with notes of cherry which I adored and I imagine would pair perfectly with a glass of full-bodied red wine like cabernet sauvignon.
On to making truffles, we were provided with everything we needed, including a tray of 20 premade chocolate shells just like the exterior of the tiramisu truffles Purdys sells.
First, we began by measuring out dark chocolate and whipping cream with the help of the teacher.
After getting the melted chocolate and cream I got to whisk the two together and pick the flavoring or liqueur I wished to use to make my tray of truffles.
There were plenty of interesting options, and I went for a combination of coffee syrup and Baileys liqueur which I poured into my chocolate ganache. With the completed flavored chocolate ganache I poured the mixture into a piping bag and got to work filling each of the chocolate shells.
Once all the chocolate shells are filled, everyone in the class was given the option to decorate their truffles with candies, nuts or other toppings.
With the truffles complete it was time for my favorite part of the class – trying my handmade truffles! The truffles were delicious and very easy to make too, so I was grateful we were given the recipe so that we could recreate them at home.
As a former teacher myself, I was very impressed by our teacher she was very charismatic and knowledgeable about chocolate making and kept our diverse group of young children to adults all having a fun evening making chocolates. The class certainly is a wonderful way to spend an evening with friends or going together as a family. If you get the chance go try the truffle or chocolate bark class, you won’t regret it and you even get to head home with your homemade sweets!
Win A $20 Purdys Chocolatier Gift Card
To help you get the chance to enjoy Purdys chocolate truffles I’m giving away a $20 gift card so you can go devour all your favorite flavors. Enjoy!
$20 Purdys Chocolatier Gift Card