What is the difference between a bonbon and a truffle?
Simply put, the difference between bonbons and truffles is that bonbons are molded chocolates with a non-chocolate center (fruit for example). Truffles have a buttery chocolate center and are rolled in another ingredient, such as cocoa powder or nuts.
For most chocolate lovers, choosing between a truffle or a bonbon isn’t important. After all, indulging in gourmet chocolate is the point. But what is the difference between a truffle and a bonbon in pop culture?
To find the answer, let’s look at the chocolate experts’ community guidelines for the differences.
By the way, check out our collection of truffles and bonbons!
Chocolate Truffles
Chocolate truffles are round and dusted with cocoa powder. The name “truffle” comes from their resemblance to mushroom-like fungus, considered a delicacy of the same name. The main ingredient besides chocolate is heavy cream.
Basically, all truffles are fine chocolate and cream with a ganache filling. Ganache is a thick and rich mixture that’s similar to creamy icing, except not as spreadable. True chocolate truffles can have different flavors and be sprinkled with nuts instead of being coated with chocolate powder on the outer shell.
In the end, that’s all there is to a decadent chocolate truffle. If the center is anything but chocolate ganache — nougat, buttercream, ice cream, coconut or caramel — it’s a bonbon.
The word “bon” comes from the French word “good.” Think of bon voyage (good trip) or bon appetit (good appetite/meal). The term bonbon refers to a delicious confection of tempered chocolate and flavored filling.
Bonbons
In fact, bonbon in France is used to refer to any kind of candy. Unlike truffles, chocolate bonbons come in different shapes and sizes and can be filled with everything from fruit purées to decadent dark chocolate buttercream.
Bonbons, unlike chocolate truffles, are not chocolate from the start. First, a chocolatier crafts the center (whether it’s buttercream or cocoa butter) and then dips it in chocolate. Another key difference is that chocolate bonbons aren’t dusted with cocoa powder. The chocolate shell is smooth and can be round, oval, rectangular or even shaped like a heart.
The best part about bonbons is that you never know what you might sink your teeth into. On the outside, the chocolate center, whether it’s creamy or chewy, can sometimes be hard to determine. It’s common to see people scrutinizing the box of chocolates for ingredients and descriptions of the decadent indulgence.
But remember you shouldn’t take one bite and put it back.
Sound familiar?! Once bitten you need to finish the chocolate before moving on to the next. The same can be said for truffles. A half-eaten truffle might offend the next chocolate seeker, so remember to finish what you started. If you have a hard time deciding between a truffle or bonbon, think of a truffle like it has more chocolate and less filling and bon bons with less chocolate but more filling.
Regardless of the differences, both truffles and bonbons are award winners with quality ingredients and distinctly different from a chocolate bar in shape and texture. Both are perfect ways to start your day, a sweet gift on Valentines Day or when corporate gifting.
Remember whether you’re going for the rounded deliciousness of a truffle or the surprise of a chocolate bonbon, both will satisfy any chocolate lover!
