Split the vanilla bean and scrape the seeds into the heavy cream in a heavy saucepan. Add the pod to the cream as well and bring to a boil.

Allow the cream to steep for 10 minutes.

Strain the cream mixture through a dampened cheesecloth and wring out thoroughly.

Add water if necessary to return the liquid to 240 ml.

Bring the liquid back to a boil and pour over the finely chopped milk chocolate.

Allow to sit for 3-5 minutes minutes.

Stir gently with a wooden spoon or rubber spatula until well blended and smooth. Ensure there are no lumps.

If necessary, heat the ganache over a hot water bath to completely melt all of the chocolate.

Gently stir the soft butter into the ganache until melted and smooth.

Pour the ganache into a half hotel pan (or bread pans).

Cover and let set overnight in the refrigerator, or for an hour in the freezer until firm enough to scoop.

When firm, use a melon baller and scoop out small balls.

Roll the chocolate balls together with hands to make a smooth, hard ball.

Place on a cookie tray and continue to scoop out balls until all the chocolate is used.

Return the cookie tray to the freezer or refrigerator and allow to firm up again.

Once the truffles are firm and the coating chocolate is melted and tempered, line up all of the decorating ingredients.

Put gloves on and ensure you have a fork in each bowl to roll the truffle around.

Place a truffle in the melted chocolate and roll it around quickly with a fork until coated nicely.

Transfer it with the fork to your desired decorating ingredient and roll the truffle around until coated.

Place onto a new, clean cookie sheet or into 3" cake cups.

Continue to coat the truffles in the melted chocolate and roll them in your favorite ingredient.

If needed, re-melt the chocolate over a water bath if the chocolate gets too hard.

Keep decorating the truffles until all are completed.

Store any leftover chocolate in a plastic container in the fridge.

Store any leftover toppings in snack bags in the fridge.

Keep the truffles in an airtight container in the refrigerator or freezer.