Desserts

Salted Caramel Fudge Truffles

These salted caramel fudge truffles are rich, smooth, and just a little salty — a perfect bite-size treat for parties or a quiet night in. The centers are creamy and chocolatey, with warm caramel notes and a hint of sea salt on the tongue. They look polished when rolled in cocoa or chopped nuts and melt softly in your mouth.

Recipe Information

Prep Time: 15 minutes
Cook Time: 2 hours 10 minutes (10 minutes active heating + 2 hours chilling)
Total Time: 2 hours 25 minutes
Servings: about 24 truffles
Difficulty Level: Easy

Nutrition Information

Approximate per truffle (1 serving)

Calories per serving: 160 kcal
Protein: 2 g
Carbohydrates: 18 g
Fat: 10 g
Fiber: 1 g
Sugar: 15 g
Sodium: 120 mg

Why Make This Salted Caramel Fudge Truffles

These truffles are fast, impressive, and addictive. They need no candy thermometer or tempering, so anyone can make them. The sweet creaminess of condensed milk and chocolate blends with sticky caramel and a touch of sea salt to create a balanced flavor. They are perfect for gifting, dessert tables, or a small homemade luxury to enjoy with coffee. The texture is silky and fudgy, and the outer cocoa or nut coating adds a pleasant contrast.

How to Make Salted Caramel Fudge Truffles

You combine a few pantry staples, heat briefly, chill, then roll. The method keeps work time short and hands-on time low. Chilling firms the mixture so the truffles hold a clean round shape. Rolling in cocoa powder gives a deep chocolate dusting; chopped nuts add crunch. These truffles are forgiving — if the mixture is soft, chill a bit longer.

Ingredients:

1 cup sweetened condensed milk
2 cups semisweet chocolate chips
1 cup caramel sauce
1 teaspoon sea salt
Cocoa powder or chopped nuts for coating

Directions:

Step 1: Preparation

Line a tray with parchment paper and set out a small scoop or melon baller. Measure the sweetened condensed milk, chocolate chips, and caramel sauce. Have the sea salt and coating within reach.

Step 2: Mixing

In a saucepan over medium heat, warm the sweetened condensed milk until it begins to simmer. Stir gently to prevent sticking.

Step 3: Cooking

Add the semisweet chocolate chips to the hot condensed milk and whisk until fully melted and smooth. Remove the pan from heat and stir in the caramel sauce and sea salt until the mixture is well combined and glossy.

Step 4: Finishing

Chill the mixture in the refrigerator for about 2 hours or until firm enough to scoop. Once chilled, use a melon baller or spoon to scoop small portions and roll them into balls with slightly damp hands. Roll each truffle in cocoa powder or chopped nuts to coat. Place truffles on the parchment-lined tray and refrigerate until ready to serve.

How to Serve Salted Caramel Fudge Truffles

Serve chilled or at cool room temperature. Arrange on a small platter or in mini paper liners for a neat presentation. Pair with espresso, black tea, or a glass of dessert wine. For a party, plate on a tiered tray with assorted chocolates for contrast.

How to Store Salted Caramel Fudge Truffles

Refrigerator: Store in an airtight container for up to 2 weeks. Keep layers separated with parchment.
Freezer: Freeze for up to 3 months. Thaw in the fridge for a few hours before serving.
Travel tip: Pack in a cooler to prevent melting if you transport them on a warm day.

Expert Tips for Perfect Salted Caramel Fudge Truffles

Use good-quality chocolate chips for a smoother, richer truffle.
Heat gently and stir constantly so the condensed milk doesn’t scorch.
Chill until firm to make rolling easier; if the mixture is sticky, wet your hands slightly or dust them with cocoa.
Use flaky sea salt on top for a nicer crunch and visual appeal instead of mixing all the salt in.
If the mixture becomes too hard after chilling, allow it to sit at room temperature 5–10 minutes before scooping.
For even balls, use a small cookie scoop or melon baller and roll between two spoons.

Delicious Variations

Espresso Caramel Truffles: Add 1 teaspoon instant espresso to the hot mixture for a coffee kick.
Nut Butter Swirl: Fold 2 tablespoons of peanut or almond butter into the cooled mixture before chilling.
White Chocolate Drizzle: Drizzle melted white chocolate over chilled truffles for contrast.
Sea Salt & Pretzel: Roll truffles in crushed pretzels for sweet-salty-crunch.
Coconut Coating: Roll in toasted shredded coconut for a tropical touch.

Frequently Asked Questions

Q: Can I make the mixture ahead of time?
A: Yes. Prepare the mixture and chill it in an airtight container for up to 3 days before rolling. This makes last-minute shaping easy.

Q: My mixture is too soft to roll. What should I do?
A: Return it to the fridge for another 20–30 minutes. If it becomes too hard, let it sit at room temperature for 5–10 minutes to soften slightly.

Q: Can I use heavy cream instead of sweetened condensed milk?
A: Heavy cream will not give the same sweetness or texture. You could reduce cream with sugar to a similar consistency, but that requires more time. For ease and the correct sweetness, stick with sweetened condensed milk.

Q: Will these melt at room temperature?
A: They soften at warm room temperatures. Keep them refrigerated until serving and store them chilled. For outdoor events in warm weather, keep them on ice or in a cooler.

Q: Can I use dark chocolate or milk chocolate instead of semisweet?
A: Yes. Dark chocolate gives a more intense, less sweet truffle. Milk chocolate will be sweeter and creamier. Adjust the caramel amount if you want to balance sweetness.

Q: How do I prevent truffles from sticking to my hands?
A: Chill the mixture well. Lightly dust your hands with cocoa or use a small amount of neutral oil on your palms. A melon baller or cookie scoop helps avoid too much handling.

Q: Are these safe to freeze and thaw?
A: Yes. Freeze in a single layer then transfer to an airtight container. Thaw in the fridge overnight or for a few hours before serving.

Conclusion

These salted caramel fudge truffles are an easy, elegant treat that balance silky chocolate, sticky caramel, and a lick of sea salt. They store well, freeze cleanly, and suit many flavor twists. If you want a quick reference or another step-by-step variation, check this recipe for inspiration: Easy Salted Caramel Fudge Truffles – Sweetest Menu. Give them a try — they make a small homemade luxury that tastes like a celebration.