Place the semi-sweet chocolate chips into a large heat-safe bowl. Finely chop the bar of bittersweet chocolate and add to the bowl. Set aside.
12 oz semi-sweet chocolate chips, 4 oz Ghiradelli Bittersweet Chocolate Baking Bar (60% cacao)
Add the heavy cream, instant coffee, and vanilla extract to a small saucepan. Heat on medium until the cream mixture reaches a simmer, stirring frequently to avoid scorching. Do NOT let the cream reach a boil. (See Note 2 below)
8 oz heavy cream, 1 tsp instant coffee, 1 tsp vanilla extract
Once the cream mixture has reached a simmer, turn off the heat and immediately pour the cream over the chocolate in your heat-safe bowl. Let the chocolate and cream sit for 2-3 minutes to allow the chocolate to melt. Then, whisk the cream and melted chocolate together until the mixture is smooth with no lumps.
Pour the chocolate mixture into a rectangular dish or baker and spread it into an even layer. I use a medium baking dish (about 7.5" x 10.5"). Cover the dish with plastic wrap and put it in the refrigerator to chill for 30-40 minutes. The exact chill time required will depend on the dish you use. A smaller dish with a thicker layer of chocolate may require more time to chill than the rectangular baker I used. The goal is to chill the chocolate to the point that it is scoopable and will hold its shape. However, you want it to be slightly soft so it can be shaped into a perfect ball with a slightly tacky exterior that toppings will stick to easily. Once the chocolate has cooled, scoop it using a #100 (2 tsp) cookie scoop. Gently roll each truffle between your palms to shape it into a perfect ball. Now, you'll either roll your truffles in toppings or prep them to be dipped—read more on each option below.
Optional—Roll Your Truffles! Roll the truffles in toppings of your choosing. My favorites are chocolate sprinkles, mini chocolate chips, powdered sugar, and cocoa powder. The truffles should be slightly tacky on the outside when you scoop and shape them, which will make any toppings stick quite easily. Optional—Dip Your Truffles in Tempered Chocolate or Melting Wafers!To prep the truffles for dipping—place them on a sheet pan covered with parchment. Put the sheet pan in the freezer for about 20-30 minutes to chill the truffles. If you leave them in the freezer for a longer period, allow the truffles to sit out on the counter for anywhere between 5-15 minutes (depending on how long they were in the freezer) before dipping them in chocolate.Prep your chocolate. I use Ghirardelli melting wafers for dipping, and I love them! I add a bit of shortening to them (2 tsp for a 10 oz package) to create a smoother consistency that is less prone to cracking. To melt them, I microwave the wafers in 20-second increments at 50% power until completely melted and smooth, stirring in between each heating increment. Dip your truffles in chocolate and allow them to set on a parchment-covered sheet pan. Once the dipped truffles have set, you can also drizzle some extra chocolate over the top if you so choose. Once all of your truffles are completely set, you can store them in an airtight container in the fridge. If stored correctly they should last a few weeks in the fridge. However, if I'm being honest, we've never had any last that long!