I set out to make an edible gift for a dear friend of mine who recently turned 88, and landed on Strawberry-Rose Truffles. The color is such a pretty shade, plus the delicate flavor and fragrance of the rose water complements the tart-sweet flavor of the strawberries. I knew it would be something she would enjoy. However, a few years ago, her doctor put her on a dairy-free and gluten-free diet, and having never needed to eat differently, she struggled to accept the changes. She misses the tempting sweets and desserts, so I wanted to give her something to satisfy her sweet tooth. It took me a few tries to figure out how to make a vegan truffle (the crushed strawberries add a bit of crispy bite to the candy) and I finally landed on the recipe below. My husband, who must also eat dairy-free, was more than happy to sample and give feedback on the truffles and by the third round, pronounced these really good and he'd be happy for me to make more for him... I suppose I'll be making a batch for Father's Day 😀
Essentials of Murder!
1/4 cup coconut oil, melted and cooled slightly
4 teaspoons rose water
1.5 ounces freeze-dried strawberries
1/2 cup confectioners’ sugar
Instructions
Crush the strawberries using a food processor, blender, or mortar and pestle into a fine powder. There will be some small pieces which is fine. It adds texture to the finished candy. Set aside.
Whisk the coconut oil and rose water together until emulsified. Don’t skip this step, otherwise the white chocolate may seize and become grainy and overly stiff.
Add the white chocolate to a microwave-safe bowl. Heat in the microwave on 60% power in 20-second intervals. Stir in between each cycle and heat just until barely melted. Do not overheat!
Gently stir in the ground strawberries and coconut oil mixture. Once completely combined, cover with plastic wrap, making sure the entire surface of the white chocolate is covered.
Allow to come to room temperature, then place in the refrigerator for 10 minutes, then stir. Refrigerate for an additional 5 minutes if the mixture is too soft to roll into balls.
The mixture firms up quickly. If too firm, break into pieces and heat in the microwave at 60% power in 10-second increments until it can easily be scooped.
Using a small tablespoon-sized scoop, form the truffle mixture into balls. Refrigerate for 5 minutes, then roll each ball in confectioners’ sugar until coated.
Serve truffles at room temperature.
Note
If you don’t have to eat vegan, you can make this using regular white chocolate (chips or bars chopped into small pieces).
Amazon * Barnes & Noble * Kobo * Apple
Cupcake Catering Mysteries * Essentials of Murder* Essentials of Death
Connect with Kim: Facebook, Pinterest, Instagram, Bluesky, Bookbub, Goodreads, TikTok, and website
G I V E A W A Y T I M E !!!
I'm giving away a print copy of Essentials of Murder!
Comment below and include your email (yourname at yourserver dot com) for a chance to win a copy of Essentials of Murder. (Contest ends 11:59pm on Wednesday, May 13, 2026 and is limited to US residents only.)
🎁


.png)

.png)





Recipe reminds me of Mexican Wedding Cakes I don't eat vegan but recipe looks and sounds good then add a good book like the the one you're giving away then what more can a person want, books sound & look like really good reads
ReplyDeleteHOPE I WIN
don.stewart@zoominternet.net
I agree that books and candy are a great combination of gifts, Crystal! You can always use regular white chocolate in the recipe if you don't want to track down the vegan brand.
DeleteWhat a pretty recipe and an excellent gift for a friend. I make birthday cakes and cupcakes for friends as gifts - they are thrilled.
ReplyDeleteNancy
allibrary (at) aol (dot) com
Such lucky friends, Nancy! I know people love to receive homemade baked goods and there are so many ways to decorate cakes and cupcakes to fit the personalities of the recipients.
DeleteThank you for the delicious sounding Vegan Strawberry-Rose Truffles recipe. What a great way to make those with dietary limitation not to feel left out! I already have someone in mind that's going to love these.
ReplyDeleteBlessed to have already read ESSENTIALS OF MURDER, I'll leave the contest for those that haven't. <3
2clowns at arkansas dot net
I hope the recipient of the truffles enjoy them as much as we have, Kay! Having so many people with dietary restrictions in my life, I understand how left out they feel when it comes to being unable to eat special goodies, so I'm happy I can share.
DeleteThank you for the recipe. Happy Mothers Day. Deborah deborahortega229@yahoo.com
ReplyDeleteThank you, Deborah, and I hope your Mother's Day was special!
DeleteI would like to make edible gifts for friends even though I don't bake much. Alam22@msn.com
ReplyDeleteThese truffles might just be what you're looking for, Amanda! No bake and you use a microwave to melt the white chocolate :) Enjoy!
DeletePerfect! I need a birthday gift for a friend and am sure she would live these. I already have this fun book, so good luck to others!
ReplyDeleteI hope your friend (and you) enjoys these as much as we have, Marcia!
DeleteI make peanut butter fudge for friends and family at Christmas time every year. anitalklaboe(at)aol(dot)com
ReplyDeleteOohh... I want to be your friend, Anita :) I love peanut butter fudge and your friends are definitely lucky recipients!
DeleteIt's a very easy recipe.
DeletePEANUT BUTTER FUDGE
1 cup butter (2 sticks)
1 cup creamy peanut butter
Melt in microwave for 1 minute.
Stir
Add 1 teaspoon vanilla
Add 1 pound (16 ounces) of confectioners’ sugar. I usually add the sugar till it becomes a soft ball and pulls away from the side of the bowl, so sometimes it’s a little more than 1 pound.
Place into a waxed paper lined 9 X 9 pan. Use a second piece of waxed paper to press into pan and make level. Optionally, then you can sprinkle chocolate chips over the top and use that second piece of wax paper to press them into the fudge.
Place in the refrigerator. Take fudge out of the refrigerator to warm up a little before placing onto a cutting board to cut into pieces
What a good friend you are to figure out this treat!
ReplyDeleteAnd aren't you lucky to have a trustworthy taste tester in the house!
I might be tempted to leave half of the balls as they are without the sugar coating for the color contrast.
libbydodd at comcast dot net
I think leaving some of the truffles without the coating is a great idea, Libby! Yes, I have several people willing to taste test for me and I'm lucky to know that they'll be honest about the food so I can create the best version to share.
DeleteNo I don't, but it sounds like a great idea.
ReplyDeleteKit3247@aol.com
I'd probably omit the strawberries. I don't of any place to, where I live, to get freeze dried berries. Aren't they one of "The Essentials Of Murder"? (joking). johnlong83@rocketmail.com
ReplyDeleteLol, John! Most large grocery stores or supermarkets sell freeze dried fruit. I've seen raspberries and blueberries as well.
DeleteI am not a great baker. Your recipe sounds great! I would make chocolate chip cookies to give friends. Thank you for the chance to win! nlap3414@gmail.com
ReplyDeleteI think everyone loves chocolate chip cookies, Nancy! Such a classic treat.
DeleteMy favorite edible gift to give, is lemon curd. I make it for Christmas time. johnlong83@rocketmail.com
ReplyDeleteHomemade lemon curd sounds divine! Your friends are lucky to be recipients!
DeleteI actually recently won your book so please don't select me. I am not a great baker so I usually rely on my local bakery if I am giving edible gifts. aprilbluetx at yahoo dot com
ReplyDeleteThere are some yummy treats out there and I'm sure no one minds where the edible gift comes from, April. It's the sentiment of being thought of that counts!
DeleteSounds delicious and very pretty! Thank you for the giveaway!!
ReplyDeleteYou're welcome, Donna! I was super pleased at how pink they turned out without relying on artificial food coloring.
DeleteBeautiful and delectable treat. I make marble cake, brownies and apple cake for family occasions. saubleb(at)gmail(dot)com
ReplyDeleteYour family is so lucky to be recipients of you delicious treats too!
DeleteThese look so pretty. What a great gift idea. Thank you.
ReplyDeletelindalou64(@)live(dot)com
Thanks so much, Linda! Once I got the recipe figured out, they were pretty easy to make too.
DeleteThose strawberry-rose truffles sound amazing and are so pretty! I have given out cupcakes and chocolate chip cookies for special occasions.
ReplyDeleteThank you for the chance!
jarjm1980(at)hotmail(dot)com
Chocolate chip cookies are such a great treat to share since everyone loves them! They're a "classic" for a reason :)
DeleteI like white chocolate. pmr3956 (at) gmail (dot) com
ReplyDeleteWhite chocolate is so versatile and can be paired with so many different flavors!
DeleteLike sea salt dark chocolate! reneela2000(at)gmail(dot)com
ReplyDeleteYum, Renee... that is such a great combination!
DeleteI used to make cookies, but I don't anymore. cruhnke70@gmail.com Christa Ruhnke
ReplyDeleteI've cut back on the amount of treats I bake to give out as well. Hopefully others share their goodies with you now!
DeleteThese look so pretty! Over the years I have made many different kinds of edible gifts. They included cookies, cupcakes, brownies, bourbon balls, loaf cakes like banana-nut bread, glazed pecans, Texas Trash party mix, Rooster's Famous Firecrackers, green tomato relish, cheese wafers and homemade vanilla.
ReplyDeletelynnvaughan9 at gmail dot com
DeleteI'm sure all your friends and family are grateful to be on your "gifting" list, Lynn! Everything sounds utterly delectable! I had to look up what Rooster's Famous Firecrackers were, and now I have the urge to trying making them :)
DeleteI do that for friends around Christmas. I love to bake and give away assorted cookies. cherierj (at) yahoo (dot) com
ReplyDeleteI think Christmas is the most popular time of the year to share edible gifts, especially cookies! You have some very lucky friends, Cherie :)
DeleteWow that looks yummy! I make Rice Crispy Treats with cookie or candy pieces mixed in for all the kids in the family when we have family gatherings.
ReplyDeleteWow that looks yummy! I make Rice Crispy Treats with cookie or candy pieces mixed in for all the kids in the family when we have family gatherings. mjla87@hotmail.com
ReplyDeleteThank you, Mary! I've never thought to mix in candy or cookie pieces into Rice Crispy Treats... sounds decadent and I'll have to give it a try!
DeleteI have been on a kick recently making cranberry banana bread. The tartness of the fresh/frozen cranberries with the sweet banana bread is a new favorite across my family. awanstromatyahoodotcom
ReplyDeleteThe combination of bananas and cranberries in bread form sounds like perfection, April! And I just happen to have some frozen cranberries in the freezer too :)
DeleteI sometimes make foodstuffs as gifts. I appreciate receiving something homemade. laurelwhitney123@icloud.com laurelwhitney69@gmail.com
ReplyDeleteHomemade gift items - whether you give or receive - is extra meaningful!
DeleteYour recipe looks delicious. I used to make cookies or fudge as gifts for Christmas years ago, but now I buy food gifts like Garrett's Popcorn or Frango Mints.
ReplyDeletediannekc8(at)gmail(dot)com
Oh goodness, Dianne, Frango Mints... yum!!! I was gifted a small box last week and I'm hoarding them, lol!
DeleteThis looks delicious. Yes we make homemade scotch a Roos for gifts and home made bread. Typically banana bread izucchini bread.
ReplyDeletewishingbear863@aol.com Karen t
Karen Topf
DeleteEveryone loves to receive homemade sweet bread! What a special treat for your friends and family, Karen!
DeleteI make cookies
ReplyDeleteJewelldawn48@yahoo.com
I love making cookies to give out at Christmas but like to mix it up with other treats at non-holiday times.
DeleteI have not been able to the past two years, but my favorite is to make peanut brittle, trail mix and Chex mix at Christmas to give to family and friends. Sissie_sue@yahoo.com
ReplyDeleteKim, these look so good! Thanks for the recipe!
ReplyDeleteThanks, Ang! Sure wish I could reach through the screen and share a piece with everyone :)
DeleteChocolate peanut butter no bake cookies OR peanut butter blossoms are my favorites to make. Thank you for recipe AND the chance to win.
ReplyDeletemadamhawk at gmail dot com
Count me in for anything with the combination of chocolate and peanut butter - yum!
DeleteLuckily for everyone I know, I don’t share baked goods! Lol!! Lindaherold999@gmail.com
ReplyDeleteLol, Linda! Hopefully other people are willing to share their treats with you!
DeleteI bake my friends chocolate toffees.
ReplyDeleteBmijrkd@gmail.com
Chocolate toffee sound absolutely incredible, Kristie!
DeleteWe bake so many things at Christmas time that make wonderful gifts like chocolate fudge, peanut butter fudge, peanut butter balls, spiced pecans, dingbats(porcupine balls), pumpkin bread, needhams, pizzelles, pressed cookies, cutout cookies, & gingerbread cookies.
ReplyDeleteWow, Joannie, that is quite the impressive list of goodies you give out at Christmas! Your friends and family are incredibly lucky to be on the recipient list!
DeleteI like to make cookies around Christmas. That’s when I have the most time.
ReplyDelete2kweeks@gmail.com
Christmas time is also my time to bake lots of cookies, Kim! In fact, it doesn't really seem like the season until I start baking :)
DeleteThose sound amazing!! I love cookies but I tend to be lazy & not make them....I prefer something I can do all at once and let them go (like a cake or brownies). My kids love to make cookies at Christmas, though I typically have to do cleanup lol
ReplyDeleteSarah
joshandsarah04(at)hotmail(dot)com
I agree it's nice to have a one and done like you do with cake or brownies! But what a great way for your kids to make memories by baking Christmas cookies together!!! And eventually (hopefully) they'll grasp the concept of cleanup :)
DeleteThank you for sharing this recipe. They look so good.
ReplyDeleteI do gift baking at Christmas time. I like making crinkle cookies and fudge.
It just doesn't seem like Christmas in my house until I start baking the cookies :) I haven't made fudge in a long, long time... you're inspiring me, Sally!
DeleteI used to give Christmas cookies that I baked.
ReplyDeleteChristmas cookies are a very popular edible gift to make, Julie! And to receive as well :)
DeleteI make homemade Angel Food Cake and give it as gifts. Thank you! deborahdumm(at)yahoo(dot)com
ReplyDeleteWhat a wonderful and thoughtful gift, Deborah! I've never really gotten the hang of angel food cake, although my husband likes it. At least my supermarket bakery sells them and when served smothered with strawberries and vanilla ice cream, it's pretty difficult to tell it's not homemade :)
DeleteI have gifted food, but not usually anything I make myself. My SIL likes to tell me that for holidays I buy for her kids and don't need to buy for her. I get around it by buying for the kids and doing a family gift. Everyone has their favorite kind of snack, so I include something for everyone, a gift card for general use of for a meal, and some fun or useful gadgets for my brother and SIL.
ReplyDeletejentroy@gmail.com
Catherinewalke@gmail.com
ReplyDeleteThank you for a chance to win a copy of your book. baileybounce2@att.net
ReplyDelete