It's hard to say no to your dog when he wants to share your truffles, but chocolate is hazardous to his health. It contains an ingredient that can affect his heart and his digestion and can even cause seizures. It's a shame, too, because dogs would love to indulge in chocolate. Don't get discouraged yet, though. There is a healthy chocolate substitute that is perfectly safe for your dog to eat. Just make him a batch of doggy truffles covered in melted carob chips instead of chocolate and he'll feel like the pampered pooch he is.
Make the Truffle Centers
Stir the cereal, peanut butter and honey together in a large bowl until they're well combined.
Spoon out measuring-tablespoon-size chunks of the mixture and roll them into balls.
Place the balls on cookie sheets covered with wax paper and set them aside while you melt the carob chips.
Make the Carob Chip Coating
Pour water into the bottom of the double boiler and place it on the stove over medium high heat.
Place the carob chips in the top of a double boiler and put it onto the bottom of the double boiler.
Crush the carob chips with a wooden spoon about 5 to 10 minutes after the water in the bottom of the double boiler has started to boil. The texture will be dry.
Pour 1/2 cup of hot water and 1 teaspoon vegetable oil in with the chips and stir well. Continue stirring until the mixture is smooth like melted chocolate. Extra water can be added a few tablespoons at a time if you want to make the consistency thinner.
Remove the melted carob from the heat and use immediately.
Dip the Truffles
Dip the truffle centers into the melted carob one at a time, using the fork to submerge the truffles and to help thoroughly coat them with the carob.
Place the coated truffles back onto the wax paper.
Refrigerate the finished truffles to help harden the carob coating.
Tips
You can roll the truffles in 1/2 cup finely chopped unsalted peanuts for a different look and to add texture.
For a double-chocolatey treat, substitute 1 cup of carob powder for the rice cereal in the filling mixture.
Work quickly once you've got the carob melted to the right consistency. You won't be able to reheat the mixture and will have to discard any of the unused melted carob.
Tips
You can roll the truffles in 1/2 cup finely chopped unsalted peanuts for a different look and to add texture.
For a double-chocolatey treat, substitute 1 cup of carob powder for the rice cereal in the filling mixture.
Work quickly once you've got the carob melted to the right consistency. You won't be able to reheat the mixture and will have to discard any of the unused melted carob.
Items You Will Need
- 1 cup crisp rice cereal
- 1 cup peanut butter
- 1/4 cup honey
- 1 cup carob chips
- 1/2 cup hot (not boiling) water
- 1 teaspoon vegetable oil
- Measuring tablespoon
- Double boiler
- Wooden spoon
- Fork
- Wax paper
- Cookie sheet
References
Tips
- You can roll the truffles in 1/2 cup finely chopped unsalted peanuts for a different look and to add texture.
- For a double-chocolatey treat, substitute 1 cup of carob powder for the rice cereal in the filling mixture.
- Work quickly once you've got the carob melted to the right consistency. You won't be able to reheat the mixture and will have to discard any of the unused melted carob.
Writer Bio
Elle Di Jensen has been a writer and editor since 1990. She began working in the fitness industry in 1987, and her experience includes editing and publishing a workout manual. She has an extended family of pets, including special needs animals. Jensen attended Idaho and Boise State Universities. Her work has appeared in various print and online publications.