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Jacques Pépin flavors truffles with many ingredients, but he is especially fond of the coffee-rum combination in this recipe.

• 1 pound bittersweet chocolate, chopped
• 3 tablespoons unsalted butter, thinly sliced
• 2 large egg yolks
• 1 1/2 tablespoons brewed espresso
• 1 tablespoon dark rum

1. Melt 1/2 of the chocolate in a double boiler over simmering water. Off the heat, whisk in the butter, then the egg yolks, espresso and rum; refrigerate until firm, about 1 hour.
2. Line a baking sheet with wax paper. Roll rounded teaspoons of the chocolate mixture into balls; place them on the baking sheet. Refrigerate for 1 hour.
3. Melt the remaining chocolate in the double boiler. Remove from the heat and let cool, about 10 minutes. Using a skewer, spear each truffette, dip it in the chocolate and return it to the baking sheet. Refrigerate until ready to serve.

The truffettes can be frozen for up to 2 months.

Food and Wine December 2007 FW