Valentine’s Day is coming up, as is our release of Kamisama Kiss! To celebrate both this week, we’ve got some Kamisama Kiss avatars for download (like the one pictured to the right)—and we’ll show you how to make your own handmade Kamisama Kiss-inspired sweets: green tea-infused chocolate truffles!

As you may have seen in anime, Valentine’s Day is celebrated a little differently in Japan. Typically, this is a day for women to give chocolate to their friends and loved ones—giri choco (obligation chocolate) to classmates, acquaintances and coworkers; honmei choco (true feelings chocolate) to that special someone. Men reciprocate these gifts one month later on March 14 for White Day.

Regardless of whom you’re giving to this year (or if you just want to enjoy some chocolate for yourself!), here is an incredibly-easy-to-follow recipe for homemade green tea chocolate truffles, to add a bit of a fun Japanese twist to the sweets for your friends (or any cute fox-eared spirits in your life!). And if you’re looking for more Japanese-inspired sweetness, Valentine’s Day is a great chance to watch Kamisama Kiss, the show Anime News Network calls “a charming confection and a lot of good clean shoujo fun!”

Green Tea Chocolate Truffles

Ingredients:

•  1 ½ cups of chocolate chips – dark or milk both work fine. For white chocolate, add another cup.
•  ½ cup heavy cream
• 5 bags of green tea
• Toppings: whatever you’d like to add to your truffles! This can be cocoa powder, green tea powder (matcha), finely chopped nuts, coconut, powdered sugar, chocolate shavings… You can also just dip the truffles in more chocolate, as explained below.

Truffle Making Instructions:

1. Pour the heavy cream into a small saucepan and submerge the tea bags below the cream’s surface. Place the cream over low heat on the stove until it is warm (not too hot) to the touch. Don’t let it boil. Let the cream simmer until the green tea flavor is infused to your liking—some people prefer the flavor weak or strong, so be sure to taste test!
2. Remove the tea bags and squeeze out the excess liquid. Place the chocolate chips in a bowl and pour your warmed heavy cream over them. Stir until smooth. It won’t take a lot of heat to melt the chocolate.
3. Place the chocolate/cream mixture (your ganache) in the refrigerator for 2 hours or overnight.
4. After the ganache has set and is soft but no longer liquid, take it out of the refrigerator and roll by hand into 1-inch sized balls.
5. Finishings

• Roll your truffles in your selected toppings until the outside is completely coated. Return to the refrigerator until you’re ready to serve or eat.
• Or, dip your truffles in chocolate.

Chocolate Dipping Instructions:

• Heat a half cup of water in a small saucepan until it is lightly steaming. Remove from heat and place a small, completely dry glass or porcelain bowl over the saucepan.
• Pour 1/4 cup of chocolate chips into the bowl, and stir until it melts and becomes smooth.
• Once the chocolate is fully melted, use a fork or spoon to ease your rolled truffles into the melted chocolate, and cover the truffle completely.
• Remove the truffles and return to the refrigerator until the outside hardens and you’re ready to serve or eat.

Makes about 30 truffles.

And that’s all there is to it! Place your finished truffles in a bag or small box and decorate with ribbons as you see fit!