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    You are here: Home / Frosting / Perfect, Versatile Chocolate Ganache

    Perfect, Versatile Chocolate Ganache

    October 11, 2021 By Sam 95 Comments

    This post may contain affiliate links. As an Amazon Associate I earn from qualifying purchases. Please read my disclosure policy.
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    image of chocolate ganache in mixing bowl with whisk

    This easy Chocolate Ganache recipe needs only two ingredients and just ten minutes to make! It’s perfect for spreading over desserts and dripping down cakes, and it even whips up into a luscious frosting. Keep scrolling to watch the how-to video, where I show you to prepare this recipe and use it for a drip cake.

    silky chocolate ganache being stirred with whisk

    Two-Ingredient Chocolate Ganache Recipe

    It’s the smooth glaze on Boston cream cupcakes, the fudgy layer that tops millionaire’s shortbread, and the creamy base for truffles: chocolate ganache. Rich, shiny, and surprisingly easy to make, chocolate ganache is a staple recipe that every baker should have in their repertoire.

    Besides being deliriously decadent, chocolate ganache is extremely adaptable. Depending on how you plan to use it, you can tweak the ratio of chocolate to cream to create a thinner chocolate that’s perfect for dripping down cakes (today’s recipe is ideal for that!) or, you can use more chocolate and less cream to create a thick, fudgy spread for bars, cheesecake, and just about anything else. You can even whip your ganache after it cools to make a a fluffy ganache frosting–more on that below.

    If you feel like you’re having déjà vu, there’s a good reason. I shared a similar chocolate ganache recipe a few years ago; however, that recipe used a different ratio than the one I’m sharing today, and as a result, yielded a firmer ganache. While I still like that recipe, I wanted to share a general all-around ganache that be used for many desserts.

    Let’s get to it!

    What You Need

    overhead view of ingredients for making chocolate ganache

    Regardless of whether you’re making a thin or thick ganache, you’ll still only need the same two ingredients:

    • Chocolate. I recommend using couverture or high quality baking bars with a high cocoa butter content, but chocolate chips will also work in a pinch. If you want to make a white chocolate ganache, you must use a high quality white chocolate or couverture–you should not use white chocolate chips. You’ll also need to reduce the amount of cream for white chocolate ganache; see the recipe notes for details.
    • Heavy Whipping Cream. Heavy cream, double cream, or heavy whipping cream will work perfectly for this ganache recipe. The more heavy cream you use, the thinner your ganache will be, and vice versa.

    SAM’S TIP: For added richness and a flavor boost, you can add a pinch of salt and a teaspoon of vanilla extract after melting everything together. This works for both whipped ganache frosting or just regular ganache!

    How to Make Chocolate Ganache

    collage of the two step process needed to make chocolate ganache

    I’ve included notes in the recipe card below to help you alter this ganache for different uses. No matter which ratio of chocolate to cream you use, the process will still be the same.

    1. Bring cream to a simmer over medium/low heat. Pour the cream over chopped chocolate–do not stir yet! –and cover with foil for five minutes.
    2. Remove cover and gently whisk together cream and chocolate until smooth and combined. Use as desired. At first it might seem like it wants to stay separated and won’t become smooth, but it will!

    SAM’S TIP: If you plan to use your ganache as a drip decoration on a cake (like the one pictured at the bottom of this post), it’s best if you chill your cake before using. This will help to slow the ganache as it runs down, creating a tidy, defined drip.

    If you’re new to drip cakes (or just need a refresher) watch the video below for step-by-step instructions on how to use ganache for a drip cake!

    How to Make Whipped Ganache Frosting

    Chocolate ganache whipped to a frosting consistency for ganache frosting

    While you could simply cool this chocolate ganache until it’s a spreadable consistency, you can also whip it into an airy, pipeable frosting that beautifully tops cakes and cupcakes.

    To make whipped ganache frosting, simply prepare the ganache as instructed, let it cool completely, then beat it with an electric mixer until you have a whipped, frosting-like consistency.

    This frosting will be softer immediately after whipping but can be piped or spread over a cake and will become more firm over time.

    You can also use this recipe to do a beautiful chocolate ganache drip over a cake. If you’ve never done this before, I do include a guide in the video on how I did the ganache drip on the cake below.

    chocolate ganache drip on a peanut butter frosted cake
    Watch the video in the recipe card for instructions on how to decorate your cake like this!

    Frequently Asked Questions

    Does chocolate ganache harden?

    As it cools, your ganache will thicken and harden to a stable fudge-like consistency. It will never reach a point where it is rock hard (you’ll always be able to smudge it if you apply enough pressure with your finger and it will always give to your teeth if you take a bite) but it will completely firm up once cooled.

    How long does it take to set?

    This will depend a bit on the surface that you are spreading your ganache onto. I’ve found that from the time I take it off the stovetop to the time it is completely set is usually about two hours. You’ll want to use it before its set completely (so pour it over your cheesecake, drip it over your chocolate cake, or spread it on your petit fours layers once it’s thickened and no longer warm, but not once it has cooled completely and is no longer malleable!).
    You can expedite this setting up process by placing your ganache in the refrigerator.

    Can chocolate ganache be left out overnight?

    Yes, you can leave chocolate ganache out for several days. However, if you’re in a particularly warm/humid climate, I would recommend keeping this in the refrigerator instead.

    Enjoy!

    More Recipes You Might Like

    • Chocolate Gravy
    • Homemade Hot Fudge Sauce
    • My Favorite Chocolate Frosting
    • Homemade Chocolate Pudding

    Let’s bake together! I’ll be walking you through all the steps in my written recipe and video below! If you try this recipe, be sure to tag me on Instagram, and you can also find me on YouTube and Facebook

    thick and shiny chocolate ganache being stirred with whisk

    Chocolate Ganache

    This easy Chocolate Ganache recipe needs only two ingredients and just ten minutes to make! It's perfect for spreading over desserts and dripping down cakes, and it even whips up into a luscious frosting.
    Keep scrolling to watch the how-to video, where I show you to use this ganache for a drip cake.
    5 from 6 votes
    Print Pin Rate
    Course: ingredient
    Cuisine: American
    Prep Time: 5 minutes
    Cook Time: 5 minutes
    Total Time: 10 minutes
    Servings: 12 servings (1.5 cups)
    Calories: 168kcal
    Author: Sam Merritt

    Ingredients

    • 8 oz semisweet or dark (I like to use 60%) chocolate finely chopped (alternatively you can use couverture chocolate, see note) (226g)
    • 1 cup heavy whipping cream (236ml)

    Recommended Equipment

    • Heatproof bowl (link to the mixing bowls)
    • Small saucepan
    Prevent your screen from going dark

    Instructions

    • Place chopped chocolate in a medium-sized heatproof bowl and set aside.
    • Pour heavy cream into a small saucepan and heat over medium/low heat just until cream comes to a simmer.
    • Once cream is simmering, remove from heat and pour evenly over chocolate (do not stir). Cover with foil or plastic wrap and let sit for 5 minutes.
    • After 5 minutes, remove cover and use a whisk to gently whisk chocolate and cream together until completely melted and smooth (note that this may take a minute and the mixture may look separated and piece-y at first, just keep stirring!). Try not to whisk too vigorously or you may incorporate air bubbles into the ganache.
    • Use as desired! If ganache is too thin immediately after preparing, let it sit for several minutes before using.

    Notes

    Chocolate

    I recommend using a quality chocolate with a high percentage of cocoa. Chocolate chips are not ideal for this recipe, but I have had success using them in the past. Use a quality brand like Ghirardelli.

    White chocolate

    This recipe can be made with white chocolate, but you will need to reduce the cream to only ⅔ cup (157ml). Do not use white chocolate chips, only premium white chocolate or couverture. Keep in mind that many white chocolate brands are slightly yellow in color, and the resulting ganache often is as well.

    Cream

    Heavy cream, double cream, or heavy whipping cream will work for this recipe.

    Thickness of ganache

    This recipe makes a thinner, softer ganache. I use this exact ratio for dripping on a cake (just let it cool enough so that it’s not runny), but if you’d like a thicker/firmer ganache you can use 8 oz of chocolate and only ⅔ cup (157ml) of heavy cream.

    Drip Cake

    This ganache recipe can be used to do a drip cake. I recommend frosting and then chilling your cake for 15 minutes then using a piping bag or bottle with a nozzle to drip the slightly cooled ganache over the chilled cake. I demonstrate how to do this in the video above. Let the ganache set before putting any decorative frosting on top of the chocolate.

    Whipped ganache

    To make whipped ganache (ideal for frosting a cake or piping on cupcakes), let ganache cool completely at room temperature. Use an electric mixer and beat until you’ve achieved a whipped, frosting-like consistency.

    Nutrition

    Serving: 1serving | Calories: 168kcal | Carbohydrates: 10g | Protein: 2g | Fat: 15g | Saturated Fat: 9g | Polyunsaturated Fat: 1g | Monounsaturated Fat: 5g | Cholesterol: 27mg | Sodium: 9mg | Potassium: 15mg | Fiber: 2g | Sugar: 6g | Vitamin A: 292IU | Vitamin C: 1mg | Calcium: 13mg | Iron: 1mg

    Nutritional information is based on third-party calculations and should be considered an estimate only. Actual nutritional content will vary based upon brands used, measuring methods, cooking method, portion sizes, and more.

    Tried this recipe? Show me on Instagram!Mention @SugarSpun_Sam or tag #sugarspunrun!

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    Reader Interactions

    Comments

    1. Candice

      November 24, 2022 at 4:58 pm

      Hi, thank you for sharing! Would this work well as a topping on peanut butter pie? I am looking for a chocolate topping that sets up some to allow for cutting into pieces without running, but not magic shell hard. 😊

      Reply
      • Sam

        November 24, 2022 at 9:52 pm

        Hi Candice! This the perfect option! It does set without becoming really hard. 🙂

        Reply
    2. Denise

      October 02, 2022 at 2:41 pm

      Will this cover a 9×13 cake or should I make more or less? Thanks , this will be my first time trying this as a frosting.

      Reply
      • Sam

        October 02, 2022 at 10:42 pm

        Hi Denise! I would probably increase the recipe by at least 50% to cover the entire top of a 9 x 13. 🙂

        Reply
    3. Linda

      August 27, 2022 at 5:01 pm

      Would this work for chocolate dipped strawberries?

      Reply
      • Sam

        August 28, 2022 at 10:32 pm

        It can, but it won’t set and be hard and snappy like is typical with chocolate strawberries. I do actually have a recipe for chocolate covered strawberries you could use. 🙂

        Reply
    4. Jo

      July 23, 2022 at 7:32 pm

      Hi
      I am wondering if I can make the whipped ganache a day ahead and than pipe onto mini bundts?

      Thank You

      Reply
      • Sam

        July 25, 2022 at 10:49 am

        Hmmm that is a good question. I feel like it may work, but I haven’t tried it to say for sure.

        Reply
    5. Nyaziah Lovelace

      December 09, 2021 at 10:48 pm

      How would I use this recipe for your Linzer cookies? Would I use the same ratios?

      Reply
      • Sam

        December 12, 2021 at 9:18 pm

        Hi Nyaziah! I haven’t tried it, but I think that will work just fine. I would use the same ratios. 🙂

        Reply
    6. Charles Harwood

      November 10, 2021 at 9:07 pm

      Being a avid cook but also a nutritionist it’s great you give the facts for one serving but it would certainly be of more value if you said what a serving size was.
      But a great post, thanks.

      Charles

      Reply
      • Sam

        November 10, 2021 at 9:38 pm

        Hi Charles! The recipe makes 1.5 cups total, which I consider to be 12 servings. This comes out to about 2 Tablespoons per serving. I hope that helps! 🙂

        Reply
    7. Amy Wonder

      October 28, 2021 at 7:27 am

      5 stars
      What speed should I mix it on?

      Reply
      • Emily @ Sugar Spun Run

        October 28, 2021 at 9:38 am

        Hi Amy! Are you referring to the whipped ganache? If so, you can beat it on medium-high to high speed until fluffy. If you’re just making regular ganache, you can use a whisk. Enjoy 😊

        Reply
    8. Michelle

      October 11, 2021 at 11:44 am

      You forgot to answer the most important question of all…is it wrong to just sit there and eat it with a spoon..by yourself..before anyone gets home? Lol..this looks so yummy! Thanks!

      Reply
      • Sam

        October 12, 2021 at 8:59 pm

        Haha! If eating it by the spoonful by yourself is wrong I don’t wanna be right 😉 Hope you love it, Michelle! 🙂

        Reply
    9. Dana

      July 29, 2021 at 2:45 pm

      Can this be as a drip on a cake frosted with ermine? Or is ermine too soft and fragile for a ganache drip?

      If it can’t, do you have any other suggestions on what base frosting to use for a drip cake?

      Thank you so much!!!!

      Reply
      • Sam

        July 30, 2021 at 10:06 pm

        Hi Dana! That should work just fine. Just make sure the ganache cools a little bit before using it so you don’t melt the frosting. 🙂

        Reply
    10. Riley

      July 06, 2021 at 10:25 am

      Can I use this to make a drip cake?
      Thanks!!

      Reply
      • Sam

        July 06, 2021 at 12:12 pm

        Hi Riley! That will work great. 🙂

        Reply
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    The author (Sam) in blue shirt holding donut Hi, I'm Sam! I'm dedicated to bringing you sweet, simple, and from-scratch dessert recipes. My life may or may not be controlled by my sweet tooth. Send help (or chocolate). Read more about me.

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