Chocolate Ganache
Equal parts dark chocolate and hot cream, stirred until glossy. Pour it as a glaze, cool it into a frosting or whip it light. The three-ingredient chocolate essential.
How to Make Chocolate Ganache
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Put the chopped chocolate in a heatproof bowl.
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Heat the cream in a small saucepan over medium heat until it is steaming and small bubbles form at the edges. Do not let it boil.
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Pour the hot cream over the chocolate, making sure that all the pieces are covered, and leave it for 2 minutes without stirring.
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Stir gently with a spatula from the centre outwards, in small circles, until the ganache is smooth and glossy. Stir in the butter and salt.
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Use warm as a glaze poured over a cake, or leave it to thicken to a spreadable frosting, or whip it with a whisk until pale and fluffy for a mousse-like filling.
Tips for Making Chocolate Ganache
- Chop the chocolate finely. Small pieces melt evenly in the hot cream, whereas large chunks leave the ganache lumpy.
- If the ganache splits and looks oily, stir in a tablespoon of warm milk or cream, a little at a time, until it comes back together.
- For truffles, use 300 g of chocolate to 150 ml of cream, chill until firm, scoop and roll in cocoa.
Common Substitutions & Variations
- Double cream won't whip if you swap it, but for the cooking itself, full-fat crème fraîche or a lower-fat single cream works in its place.
What to Serve with Chocolate Ganache
- Chocolate cake
- Fresh raspberries
- Profiteroles
Storing & Reheating Chocolate Ganache
Keeps in the fridge for up to 1 week and freezes for 2 months. Warm gently in short bursts in the microwave, stirring, to pour again.
Chocolate Ganache FAQ: Common Questions
How long does Chocolate Ganache take to make?
About 15 minutes in total — 10 minutes of preparation and 5 minutes of cooking. The recipe serves 12.
What are the key tips for making Chocolate Ganache?
Chop the chocolate finely. Small pieces melt evenly in the hot cream, whereas large chunks leave the ganache lumpy. If the ganache splits and looks oily, stir in a tablespoon of warm milk or cream, a little at a time, until it comes back together. For truffles, use 300 g of chocolate to 150 ml of cream, chill until firm, scoop and roll in cocoa.
What should I serve with Chocolate Ganache?
Chocolate cake; Fresh raspberries; Profiteroles.
Can Chocolate Ganache be made ahead or frozen?
Keeps in the fridge for up to 1 week and freezes for 2 months. Warm gently in short bursts in the microwave, stirring, to pour again.
Is Chocolate Ganache suitable for a special diet?
This recipe is vegetarian, gluten-free, low-carb, keto and no added sugar. Those labels are checked against the ingredient list, so a dish is only marked when nothing in it contradicts the claim.
How many calories are in Chocolate Ganache?
About 179 kcal per serving, with 1 g protein, 10 g carbohydrate and 15 g fat. The figures are calculated from the ingredient list and are an estimate.
Chocolate Ganache Nutrition
Per serving, calculated from the ingredient list. Treat these as an estimate — brands and cuts vary.
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Written and tested by Turab
One person, one kitchen — no test kitchen, no team. How every recipe on this site is checked before it goes up.