Every chocolate lover should know how to make ganache! It's easy and has essentially two ingredients. You can use this chocolate decadence for truffles, cakes, cookies, cake decorating -- the possibilities are endless! And you can make ganache ahead of time, to boot!
Many moons ago when I was taught how to make Ganache for the first time, I had sort of an Aha moment. "So that's that decadent, rich and creamy chocolate that's inside chocolate truffles!"
What is Ganache?
- Classic Ganache is a mixture of one part chocolate and one part heavy cream. You can change the ratio to get different consistencies, as the ratio determines how thick or thin the final product is.
- Ganache can be used as a dessert sauce, a glaze or filling for pastries and cakes, for making traditional chocolate truffles, and the list goes on. (I've listed a few recipes using Ganache below.)
- Flavors can be added to Ganache, typically liqueurs,
- When you use the Ganache for things like truffles, it has to set in the refrigerator first. This makes it easy to scoop it. And of course, if you're glazing a cake, it must be warm and pourable.
- It's quick and easy to make ganache ahead of time. Even better!
How to Make Ganache Thicker or Thinner
By changing the ratio or chocolate to milk, you can change the viscosity. Simply, add more chocolate than cream to make it thicker, and more cream than chocolate, to make it thinner.
What is the best chocolate for making Ganahe?
- Usually dark or semi-sweet chocolate is used. Bittersweet being the most common.
- The quality of chocolate you use is important. As with anything, the better the ingredients, the better the results will be. Scharffen Berger is one of my favorites, but any brand you love -- as long as it's good quality!
Can you make Ganache ahead of time?
- Yes you can! I usually make it up to four days before I'm going to use it.
- It should be stored in the refrigerator, and then gently warmed in a small saucepan -- just to melt it. (Unless you're making truffles, in which case, you'll want it to be solid.)
Helpful Tips for Making Ganache
*Use the best quality chocolate you can.
*Weigh your ingredients if possible.
Chocolate bars for baking will have the weight on the package. If you don't have a kitchen scale, you can use the labeled weight and adjust the cream accordingly. For example, if my chocolate bar is 9.7-ounces, (which the Scharffen Berger bars are), I would use 1 cup, plus 3 tablespoons and about ⅔ teaspoon cream (1 cup = 8-ounces, 3 tablespoons plus about ⅔ teaspoon = 1.7-ounces).
*Chop the chocolate evenly.
You want the pieces of chocolate to be more or less the same size, so it melts evenly. You can also use a grater attachment on a food processor for large amounts to make it a bit easier. OR, you can use chocolate chunks, like these.
*Be sure the cream is hot enough.
You want to scald the cream. That means it should be very hot, with tiny bubbles along the edges, but not boiling. (The best way for me to describe the temperature is that when you touch it with your finger, it should be like a jacuzzi -- extremely hot, but still bearable to touch -- so you can get in.)
*Be patient!
Do not mix the hot cream with the chocolate until you wait about 4 minutes! This allows for the chocolate to melt first. It will also take a good couple of minutes for the mixture to come together once you begin stirring (see below image).
Just keep stirring and it will go from looking like it's not going to happen, to a beautiful, rich and creamy consistency.
*Use a wooden spoon.
When I learned how to make Ganache the first time all those moons ago in culinary school, I was told a wooden spoon was the best choice. I like wooden spoons for mixing (almost everything) the best for a few reasons: they don't get hot, they don't react chemically with acidic foods, and they're pretty. They also hold all sorts of cooking memories, as they show signs of use as over the years wood tends to change color slightly and there might be scratches. (This is also why I love my butcher blocks!)
Dessert recipes with Ganache:
- Spicy Mayan Chocolate Truffles
- Chocolate Sesame Truffles
- Gluten-Free Chocolate Olive Oil Bundt Cake
- Passion Fruit Chocolate Ganahe Bars
Enjoy!
Chocolate Ganache
Ingredients
- 8 ounces bittersweet chocolate, finely chopped
- 8 ounces heavy cream
- 1 teaspoon pure vanilla extract (optional)
Instructions
- Add the finely chopped chocolate to a mixing bowl and set it aside.
- Pour the cream and vanilla into a small saucepan and scald it. Tiny bubbles will appear on the edges of the pan, and it should be very hot, but not boiling.
- Pour the hot cream over the chocolate and let sit for about 4 minutes. Use a wooden spoon to stir until it's smooth and creamy.
Notes
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Sippitysup
G-G-Good G-G-Ganache! G-G-GREG
Diana
It's my Mum's birthday today and I'm making ganache for a cake that I'm baking. Will use your recipe!
valentina
Fantastic! I love glazing cakes with ganache! The best. Enjoy.
Emily
I love making ganache, will try your recipe next time!
valentina
Thanks, Emily! 🙂
Jessica Fasano Formicola
I just want to bake something just so I can eat this! I love anything with chocolate!
valentina
You don't even need anything to go with it. Just a spoon! 😉
Amanda
Years ago, I always thought ganache was this super complicated thing that only professional bakers can do, but this is SO easy and decadent!!
valentina
I did too before I ever made it. Try it! You'll make it all the time once you do. 🙂
Helen @ family-friends-food.com
So simple, yet so effective! Smooth gorgeous ganache makes everything better 🙂
valentina
Thanks! Yes simple and delicious!
Jacque Hastert
I have never made this, but now I want to give it a try!
valentina
You must. After you try it, you'll be making it all the time.
Marissa
I adore a great ganache! Thank you for all of the pro tips, Valentina! I'll definitely make it your way soon.
valentina
Thanks, Marissa. Always a good thing to have at the ready. 😉 Cheers and have a great weekend. ~Valentina
Colette
I WILL EAT THIS WITH A SPOON!
valentina
Ha! I do. 🙂 xo
angiesrecipes
My mouth is watering terribly, Valentina.
valentina
Ha! I get it. 😉 Enjoy.
Ron
What a great lesson and I totally understand your Aha moment. We recently took a truffle making class from our local Chocolatier and I was amazed how easy it is to make a ganache and a truffle. But, I have to admit, that ganache is hard to resist. One might just find oneself eating it straight from the bowl.
valentina
Ron, I'm that person! Eating it right out of the bowl. 🙂 Happy truffle making! ~Valentina
Kim Lange
I love ganache on so many things! I am definitely a chocolate lover for life, so this is definitely on my radar! Pinning!
valentina
Thanks, Kim! I'm one for life too! 😀
James
Huge fan! Think me and my daughter will give this a try!
valentina
Sounds great, James! Hope you both enjoy! 🙂 ~Valentina
Kelly | Foodtasia
So simple and so heavenly! I just want to pour it on everything!
valentina
Me too, Kelly! Yum! Thanks for visiting. 🙂 ~Valentina
2pots2cook
Absolutely to make and have with table spoon 🙂 🙂 🙂
valentina
Oh yes, with a spoon is the best way! 🙂 Thank you, my friend. 🙂 ~Valentina
Dawn - Girl Heart Food
I know typically ganache is used in stuff, but I would really love to dip a spoon into that bowl and enjoy as is, lol. Seriously, though, that looks super creamy dreamy chocolatey! Hope you have a wonderful week, Valentina 🙂
valentina
Thanks so much, Dawn. I'm totally with you. 🙂 ~Valentina
Kathy @ Beyond the Chicken Coop
Well I am a chocolate lover so this is a recipe for me! Scrumptious!!!
valentina
Hard to trust anyone who doesn't like chocolate. 😉 Thanks for visiting, Kathy. ~Valentina
David Scott Allen
Who doesn’t love a good ganache. Thanks for the make-ahead tip!
We were in a restaurant the other day and their dessert du jour was quenelles of ganache with candied orange, toasted almonds, and whipped cream. And why not?
valentina
Exactly, David, why not? Sounds AMAZING! 🙂
Gerlinde@sunnycovechef
I love ganache and your recipe looks great.
valentina
Thanks, Gerlinde! 😀
David @ Spiced
You're cracking me up with the comparison to a jacuzzi here, Valentina. Now I just want to go swimming in a big tub of ganache. Haha! Seriously, though, this ganache looks amazing. Ganache is a staple in any baker's recipe box, and this is a great guide! 🙂
valentina
Glad you liked my jacuzzi comparison. 🙂 And yes, it's totally a staple. 🙂 ~Valentina