I wrote before about how difficult it was for Mr NQN and I to say “I Love You” to each other. That reminded me of a situation from back when I worked in an office. We were a typical “Office Space” company, a technology start up where very few had offices with walls and we’d find ourselves staring at neutral coloured woolly material covered partitions all day. Of course with partitions, we would hear everything that others around us were saying. Every morning I’d hear one of my buyer’s pre work rituals: checking out the scores for Arsenal and browsing various adult entertainment websites (yes really).
One day he was speaking to a new sales rep and he accidentally ended off the call with the words “I Love You”. He hung up the phone and I heard a groan. “Oh goddd noooo”, he moaned head in hands as I meerkatted over the partition. “What is it?” I asked. “I accidentally told a sales rep I Love You”. It seems that he was used to talking to his parents over the phone and was so used to ending off each phone call automatically with “I Love You” that he had accidentally let it slip to this sales rep that he barely knew. We of course gave him a lot of stick for it, she was quite a few years older than him and they were both single so any time she would ring I’d put her on hold and yell out if he’d like a sweet word to her. For his part, he’d take it good naturedly.
We always thought that he had just explained himself until it came to the Sydney Olympics in 2000.”Umm can I have the day off work tomorrow? That sales rep has offered to take me to a day at the Olympics”. Our jaws dropped. It seemed that this little slip of his tongue had netted him tickets to a prized Olympics event among other invitations on her arm (she was what we now know to be an early day Cougar). My how he had progressed in the world for uttering those accidental three words!
This is my shyer approach to Valentines Day. I know hearts are all very predictable but another shape wouldn’t really do for Valentines Day. I decided to fill this box with home-made truffles and hiding underneath it was a home-made chocolate & raspberry truffle cake. A little surprise if you will or a “I Love You more than you thought” kind of gift for when people have finished with their layer of truffles only to discover another layer of goodness underneath. The truffles are incredibly easy to make and quite rewarding. There is one side effect though, and that is I find that I rarely buy truffles now that I know how easy they are to make, eschewing them for more complicated shapes or fillings. The truffle cake is delectably moist and gooey inside, much like how you’d like your lover’s heart to be when you give this to them and the truffles are fabulous and versatile-roll them in all sorts of things and add liqueurs to them according to your taste. I do occasionally wonder what happened to my buyer and the sales rep. Are they still playing cougar and cub?
So tell me Dear Reader, what was the best present you ever received for Valentine’s Day?
Chocolate Valentines Heart & Truffle Cake
An Original Recipe by Not Quite Nigella
For cake:
- 3 eggs, separated
- 65g/2.25 ozs oil (a mild flavoured one like grapeseed or rice bran oil)
- 150g/5 ozs Nutella
- 50g/1.7 ozs ground hazelnuts
- 50g/1.7 ozs raspberry jam
- A heart shaped box, not too shallow.
For White and Dark Chocolate truffles:
Makes approximately 14 white and 14 dark chocolate truffles
- 180g/6 ozs dark chocolate
- 180g/6 ozs white chocolate
- 150ml/5 fl ozs pure cream, divided in half
- dessicated coconut to roll white chocolate truffles in
- green tea powder to roll white chocolate truffles in
- cocoa to roll dark chocolate truffles in
- chopped pistachios to roll dark chocolate truffles in
- small truffle paper cases
Buyer’s tip: small paper truffle cases can be bought at homewares, cake decorating stores or variety stores.
1. Preheat oven to 180C/350F. Grease and line a sheet tin. In a clean bowl of an electric mixer whisk egg whites until stiff. Place in a clean bowl and then switch to a beater attachment and whisk egg yolks, Nutella, ground hazelnuts, oil and jam for a few minutes.
2. Take a large spoonful of the egg white mixture and gently stir it into the chocolate mix. Add the rest in two batches folding it through gently. Spoon into prepared tin and bake for 15-20 minutes until a skewer inserted comes out clean.
For chocolate truffles
1. Place white chocolate and cream in a heatproof bowl and melt either over a double boiler or in a microwave.Stir well until the cream is fully combined and then place in the fridge for an hour to set. Do the same with a bowl of dark chocolate which doesn’t take quite as long to set (my dark chocolate ganache took about 25 minutes to set in the fridge).
Lovely Harefield Pistachios from Jetlagmama! Look how perfect they are.
2. When dark chocolate is set, lay out small truffle cases on a baking tray. On a plate empty the chopped pistachios and on another empty 1-2 tablespoons of sifted cocoa. Using a spoon or a melon baller, scoop out a small ball of chocolate. Roll between your palms to make a ball and then roll the ball in the pistachio and place each one in a paper case. Do this with half of the truffle mix and then do the same with the other half of the truffle mix instead rolling it in the cocoa powder.
3. When white chocolate is set, lay out small truffle cases on a baking tray. On a plate empty the dessicated coconut and on another empty 1-2 tablespoons green tea powder. Using a spoon or a melon baller, scoop out a small ball of chocolate. Roll between your palms to make a ball and then roll in the coconut and place each one in a paper case. Do this with half of the truffle mix and then do the same with the other half of the truffle mix rolling it in the green tea powder.
To assemble, line the heart shaped box with greaseproof paper. Wait until cake it completely cold as it is a delicate cake and trim your cake to be in the shape of the heart shaped box and gently place cake inside the box on top of the greaseproof paper. Top with the chocolate truffles.
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66 Comments | Add your own
I’ve never been that into V-day ( too many traumatic middle school flower delivery moments. Do ya’ll have those? Where flowers are sent to sweethearts and girls that don’t get one from boys are seen as losers, and if they’re lucky they get some from a girl friend or their mom?) Anyway, but Ben once did the same I Love You thing. He was talking to an Indian developer who was rambling on and on and he said, “Ok, Love you too.” The poor developer was so spooked he never called Ben back again! He’s still teased for it.
When I was really into training {like every morning 6am at the gym – sharp} I was ultra healthy too. I know, I know… who would have thought it.
Hubby bought me a whole big box of chocolate protein bars for Valentine’s Day.
It was one of the sweetest, most thoughtful things he has done. Awww. xx
I will not mind a bite of your truffles… I like truffles, they are too sweet to waive any dark cloud in the sky…It makes you feel alive inside out…
Happy Valentine my friend.
Absolutely gorgeous Lorraine. I feel like making those truffles immediately. It’s so good so see some of my pretty, green, local produce on your blog
Hmmm, I think I’m going to try that next time I’m on the phone to a man. But more imporantly – that cake just gave me the exciteds because it’s gluten free, and NUTELLA, and jam, and YUM!!
A friend of mine once did the same thing–accidentally finished a business call with ‘I love you.’ So funny! The truffles on the cake are lovely!
I ♥ this post! Gorgeous gift – your hubby is a very lucky man! Let’s hope he doesn’t read this before Sunday..
haha that story about your co-worker had me giggling at my desk! too funny
Love that box of cake / truffles too
I have actually never received a Valentines present?! I don’t really get caught up in the hype but a surprise present one of these years would be nice right? Mr BBB….nudge nudge!!
Ah yes.. you never know where those three simple, yet powerful words can take you! These look gorgeous Lorraine but I’ve always had trouble with truffles especially the rolling into a ball part… usually they just melt in my hands and I always end up licking them off heehee!
I have to admit that although I love a little bit of romance in my life, Valentine’s Day is not for me. I don’t subscribe to the theory that you have just one day in the year to be romantic. It’s a bit sad, really. What about the other 364 days?? So we don’t celebrate Valentines, other than getting each other the corniest card we can find. And cooking dinner together!
PS: Love the picture of you in the Drive section this morning!
It’s amazing, isn’t it, how awkward most of us are with matters of the heart. That guy lucked in by accident!
This truffle topped heart cake is just gorgeous!!! I have never made truffles, but must give it a shot.
That was the best part about partitions. No one ever knew what your expression was when you heard something cheesy or funny. This is a very nice gesture for Valentines Day. I want some of those yummy truffles.
I received a dozen rose BUSHES. They still flourish, as does my love.
They look fntastic! I love making truffles but I find it gets very messy(I have very warm hands & the mix melts on them quickly) so I need to wash hands alot! lol.
What a delightful idea! I love the combination of chocolate and hazelnut and the idea of burying the cake under beautiful truffles is charming.
The story about your co-worker is too funny.
YUm..must be really rich
I love your’s and Blonde Duck’s stories. How funny! Now I am scared I might accidentially do the same, now it is on my mind – It tends to happen to me! I love your truffles and I love you too! Now that it is out of my system, hopefully it won’t happen again! LOL
Hi Lorraine, Just read your learn-to-drive story in today’s SMH Drive section. Plus front page thumbnail. Well done. Love the outfit, especially the hat.
Ah, hilarious! The poor guy must have been mortified.
I’m not anti valentine’s day, I’m just not really into it either. My husband is pretty much the same so it works out well!
those look so divine. and sweet. literally!
my bf sent me my favourite chocolates from Finland… chocolate shaped hearts with this sort of jelly/jam inside. so yummy!
My favorite Valentine’s memory is when my hubby sent me a dozen coral colored roses in a giant brandy snifter vase , I was in San Diego at training school ( I was In the US. Navy then) and he was still in Florida where we are from. We still live with in 15 miles of our home town.
Recipe sounds delicious,but is it just enough for a smallish cake,or an average one? Can you suggest an approximate diameter,please?
HI Lorraine, I enjoyed your story. I do sometimes envy my US/Latin American colleauges who seem to say the 3 little words so naturally. My boyfriend and I are rather awkward about uttering them..maybe being Asians, we are just not brought up to be expressive in that way. I have never made truffles before -have always been under the impression that one needs to temper the chocolate. I like the Pistachio Truffle… I will give this a try as I have all the ingredients in my fridge..:)
I wanted to do truffles for Christmas but was suffering from a serve case of the CBFs!
Looking forward to recreating your other v.day meal of vodka pasta and red velvet… as well has Chinese New Year food!
Love love love the box and the goodies… they look so perfect!
Your truffles look amazing, I especially like the pistachio covered ones as they contrast really nicely with the red box.
And a cake with both nutella and raspberry jam? You’ve convinced me.
They look devine! Happy valentine’s day!
Waiting in a bank queue reading my copy of the SMH and thought that little photo promoting a Drive feature on the front page looks awfully familiar and there you were! Wonderful photo and the hat is perfect!
looks gorgeous – the red heart does say it all doesn’t it? I am not much of a valentines day person but I like the excuse for a bit of fun cookery
Wahahahaha!!! That was hilarious, and I would tease my husband endlessly, too!
By the way, can I have a pistachio-crusted truffle, please?
Hi Lorraine
Loved your photo in the SMG today. So cute.
Best of luck with the licence.
those truffles look gorgeous! Best V day pressie? My boyfriend knocking on the door with a teddy bear. It wasnt so much the bear, but how embaressed he looked doing it, it was gorgeous! The worst? a bunch of flowers my ex thought he should give me seeing as I was being forced to help him move his house on V day until 2am!!
How delicious! I knew you’d put those pistachios to good use. My boss once said that to me (by mistake – I hope) at the end of a phonecall. It made me feel a little bit icky. Best present for VD was probably a knifeblock with knives from my hubby.
Sorry, typo. SMG = SMH.
Hope you have a lovely weekend.
Thanks for sharing the beautiful heart cake..how delightful it would be to share that with your beloved. I think champagne and a strwberry would be a perfect partner.
Ahh this is very lovely Lorraine, love the green pistachios!
Is Mr. NQN getting this again on Valentine’s day? Lets just say, I wouldn’t have anything to do with it if he didn’t come home on that day LOL *truffle smeared mouth*
I don’t think I have ever recieved any valentine’s day gifts that I call “Best”, but, well, I’ve once recieved a ham. yup.
Looks like a perfect Valentine’s gift for a sweetheart or just a special friend. I can’t think of an extra ordinary Valentine’s gift. I think I’d better have him step up his game! xoxo Mum
What a great surprise under the truffles! But for me I’d prob get to a really stale cake (if I didn’t know about it) cos I tend to savour my chocolates and eat themslowly sothat they last longer hehe
That story makes me laugh. I guess thinking back, your husband must be laughing about it too.
Hmm, can’t remember a memorable gift for Valentines’ day. I guess that relationship never reached that date. Oh, I do remember. But it was in high school. i received three roses. Not bad. No special someone right now but I would rather have those truffles, please. 
I’ve just checked out the SMH after everyone’s comments (I’m in Qld)and can I say I know where you’re coming from! I’m 38 and without a license, but hope to fix that this year….maybe!
Anyway, loved your post as always, and was excited to see a GF cake! I will make it this weekend. Happy Valentine’s!!
Oh that looks truly decadent…
As for the best Valentines Day present? Alas, I am STILL waiting. My husband is rather um… forgetful…
I would be mortified if I said I love you to a client… oh wait… I married my former client… what am I talking about?! Anyway, the truffles looks like a perfect way to celebrate V day… plus a cake beneath?! WOW!
Awwh! I wish I was your husband! They look amazing.
Katie xox
“I love you more than you thought” haha I like that. This is your best-written post of late too.
I love the look of those pistachios – will have to get some. Happy V-day!
note to self: start randomly saying ‘i love you’ to people who might give awesome gifts.
stunning cake and gorgeous truffles. say…if i tell you i love you, will you ship me some?
Brilliant idea! And your box is gorgeous. Love the varied colors on your truffles…I do love pistachios!
You are so talented and clever!
Happy V-Day!
Ahh bless, this is nice
Too funny about your colleague! The worst I ever do is say “good thanks” when someone has only said hello.
I’ve had lots of lovely Valentine’s Day pressies, but can’t seem to think of a favourite right now. This Valentine’s I’ll be giving myself the wonderful magical gift of a hangover. Probably some chips and a fatty burger too
The cake with the truffles on top sounds fantastic! I love the different coatings for the truffles!
What a stunning valentine’s day treat, your hubby is a lucky man indeed.
Hope you both have a very happy valentines day.
*kisses* HH
I’ve made choc truffles twice for an ex and feel the experience is somewhat attached to ‘him’ so I’ve never made them since! Eventually…I will again =)
Oh, NQN, these are absolute things of beauty! And I adore the story!
I was once speaking with a colleague on the phone. He had the same name as my brother. I hung up with, “Bye, Glenn. Love you.” I heard myself say it as the phone hit the cradle. I called back to explain. He laughed, I died, it was all good. (No tickets to anything, though…)
I really want to make truffles now. That mix looks better in heart shaped tin than my toad in hole.
Yum! Both the truffles & the cake look fantastic!!
I have never received a Valentine’s Day present. Yes, you read that right – NEVER. So..here ends this paragraph.
Wow the truffles look wonderful! I need to make some, too.
Your story reminded me of when I called a teacher Mummy ( I was in high school!!!!) So uhhhhm …listen, if I call you mummy do I get those truffles?
what an adorable story!! and adorable truffles too!!! ^^
A rose and a love note every day for 3 weeks when we first met!
you do not need to say i love you to show your love just act !
and i have been doing it for 19 years,, et voilà !! pierre
Mr NQN is super lucky this valentine’s day!
The best V day prezzie I got was a dozen red roses when both my bf and I were tightening our purse strings when times were tough. It was just such an unexpected lovely gesture. I went totally gooey. *Aww*
Those look delicious!!!!Nice post….I really enjoyed!
Beautiful truffles, Lorraine! They look exquisite. Loved reading the funny story.
Hey there,
such a beautiful and simple idea…
I tried it out and my dark chocolate truffles were absolutely amazing!
They were a hit at the party I took them too, the white chocolate on the other hand never set properly and were a gluey texture… I used a cadbury dream block, any suggests as to where I went wrong??
I love the decorations of these truffles , very stylish and classic (the pistachios look so green)
I would swallow the cake whole!
Hi Blond Duck-Oh really? I didn’t have those (I went to an all girls school). It does sound like a potential minefield!
Haha that’s so funny! 
Hi fat mum slim-I can believe it, you’re still very focused on your health! Aww that’s so sweet! Yep he’s a keeper!
xxx
Hi Arlette-Hehe thankyou so much Arlette and Happy Valentines Day!
Hi Amy-Thankyou! February 12, 2010 at 7:06 am |Yes those pistachios are amazing!
Hi Hannah-Haha please do!
Yes it ticks all the boxes! 
Hi Lisa-Hehe it seems it’s a lot more common than we think!
Thankyou!
Hi Celia-Thankyou! Hehe he knows what he’s getting here but there may be some more surprises!
Hi Lisa-Thankyou! I know, he never lived it down
Haha I hope he’s reading this! 
Hi Trisha-Yes look at where it got him!
Ahh yes you have warm hands like me! I usually run them under cold water and quickly dry them! Although your way of dealing with it sounds like lots of fun! 
Hi Sian-I know a few people that say that too. Although I never pass up the opportunity for a free meal!
Thankyou! 
Hi Cakelaw-I know! I guess that’s why people drink to loosen their inhibitions!
Thankyou! They’re so easy, I know you’d make gorgeous ones 
Hi Katherine-Haha yes there was massive entertainment value!
Thankyou!
Hi Mary-Very nice indeed!
Hi dessertfirst-Thankyou!
Yes I am the same but I wash them under cold water. I sometimes stick them in the freezer for a few seconds! 
Hi Laura-Thankyou! Hehe I still do winder about them!
Hi Mae-Hehe yes that they are indeed!
Hi Ms Cupcake-Thanks! Aww you are so sweet thankyou!
Hi Andrea-Thankyou! I tried to match the dress to the car
Thankyou!
Hi Gab-I think he was until the invites started flowing in
Hehe that’s good! As long as you are both on the same page! 
Hi The Asian Pear-Hehe thankyou!
Aww how gorgeous! 
Hi Julia-Aww what a gorgeous memory and what a grand gesture! :O
Hi Penny-Thankyou! This was for a heart shaped cake so it’s a little hard to give dimensions but I’d say for a medium sized cake. It also depends on the height of the chocolate box too and the truffles
Hi shirley-Thankyou!
Yes I agree some cultures just aren’t as expressive in that way. You do have to temper for ones that have a chocolate coating but for these it is fine as you are rolling them.
Hi Iron Chef Shellie-Haha there’s that huh!
Wonderful! It’s a great weekend isn’t it! 
Hi deana-Thankyou so much!
Hi Su-yin-Thanks! I agree, the green and brown goes well with the red
Hehe yes it’s so rich and brownie like! 
Hi Fiona-Thankyou! Happy Valentines Day!
Hi Moya -Hehe well spotted! Thankyou!
Hi Johanna-Thankyou! Hehe I like any excuse for food!
Hi sophia-Hehe luckily it wasn’t Mr NQN!
Sure!
Hi romaverona-Aww thankyou so much!
Thanks I’ll need it! 
Hi Sarah-Aww how sweet!
Hmm you are a good ex girlfriend!
Hi jetlagmama-Of course!
I was waiting as these were just too gorgeous. Haha yes v creepy from a boss! 
Aww I like it! That’s my sort of gift!
Hi Anna-Thankyou! Yes champagne is a great idea!
Hi Yas-Thankyou very much!
Haha you are too funny! A ham? Wow that is all kinds of awesome! 
Hi Barbara-I agree! A friend in need would like it I think too
Hehe I hope he does mum! Xxx
Hi Betty-Thankyou!
Hehe no really? 
Hi Divina-Thanks!
It cracked us all up! Three roses isn’t bad for a HS Vday gift! Hehe if I could send you some, I would! 
Hi Fiona-Oh cool! There are so many of us! Thankyou and Happy Valentines Day!
Hi Kelley-Thankyou!
Aww no I hope he remembered?
Hi Trissa-Hehe so you did in a way! Thankyou
Hi katie-Aww how sweet thanks Katie! Xxx
Hi sandra-Hehe thankyou Sandra!
HI Bel-They’re really good and they’re all picture perfect!
Happy Valentines Day!
Hi Grace-Hey you never know where it will take you!
Thankyou! Of course! 
Hi Barbara-Thankyou! Aww you are so sweet Barbara!
Happy Valentines Day!
Hi Conor-Haha I do stuff like that too!
Haha I love it and Happy Valentines Day!
Hi 5 Star Foodie-Thanks so much Natasha!
Hi heavenly housewife-Why thankyou and a very Happy Valentines Day to you too! Xxx
Hi mlle délicieuse-Oh no, really? Aww that’s too bad! But yes good memories need to be made
Hi MaryPoppinsinHeels-Thankyou so much!
Haha so you set him straight! Good that he understood! 
Hi Sarah-They’re so easy I promise!
Aww your toad looked great!
Hi Liv-Thankyou!
Oh really? Maybe you just have secret admirers? 
Hi Sook-Thanks so much!
Hi Wizzythestick-Haha that’s so cute! Hehe sure!
Hi zurin-Thankyou so much!
Hi Matilda-Aww what a gorgeous gesture!
Is that your husband?
Hi pierre-Hehe good on you!
Hi Shmii-Thanks! I think he thinks so
Aww unexpected gestures are so nice aren’t they! 
Hi Erica-Thankyou so much!
HiThe Little Teochew- Thankyou very much Ju!
Hi Nikki k-YAY so glad that you liked them! I think it might have been the Dream bar. That has some sort of filling in it doesn’t it? I think that might have prevented it from setting properly?
Hi tasteofbeirut-ThankyoU!
Hehe I wish I could teleport you some!
Yes, Lorraine, my dear husband of 27 years!!
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