Decadent Chocolate Ganache
This post may contain affiliate links. Read full disclosure.
Mmmm…rich, thick, decadent ganache! Just thinking of it brings on happiness and thoughts of special gourmet chocolate desserts! I’m not the only one in my household obsessed with all things ganache. My husband looks forward to it generously drizzled over his birthday cake, or when I use it to make light and fluffy chocolate mousse. The whole family loves it spread in a nice thick layer over mint chocolate brownies, and as a whipped chocolate frosting for cupcakes. Ganache is a gourmet delicacy that’s unbelievably easy to make from scratch. Chocolate lovers, get ready to meet your new favorite recipe!
How to Make Ganache
How do you make ganache? Seriously, this fabulous recipe is made with just two simple ingredients: high-quality baking chocolate and heavy cream (whipping cream). This is how to make ganache from scratch: Begin by pulling out a small/medium pot that’s at least twice as high as the level of cream you’re using, a rubber spatula or wooden spoon, and measuring cups. Open the packets of chocolate and snap the bars into very small pieces. Over medium/high heat, bring the heavy cream to a light boil. Quickly turn off the heat but still leave the pot sitting right on the burner.
How to Make Chocolate Ganache
Add the pieces of chocolate to the hot cream. Continue stirring until the chocolate completely melts. You’ve successfully made a fresh batch of yummy ganache! Transfer the mixture from the pan to a bowl. Refrigerate until just cooled. Your ganache is now ready to use in your favorite recipe! For drizzling over cakes as a decadent icing, you’ll want the ganache to be room temperature so it’s easy to pour. For making whipped chocolate frosting you’ll want it cold but not firm. Below are two popular ways to use this super yummy recipe! If you have other fabulous ideas for using this recipe, please feel free to share them in the comment area at the end of this post.
Chocolate Ganache Recipes
This scrumptious CHOCOLATE MOUSSE is a quick and easy dessert recipe you can make in a flash with just 4 simple ingredients. A huge hurrah to beauty, taste and simplicity! I like using this recipe when I’m short on time but still want to impress friends and family with a delicious, decadent gorgeous treat. It’s light, fluffy and so delightful. I wish I could reach through my screen to hand you a spoonful!
Mint Brownies
These scrumptious MINT BROWNIES with chocolate ganache are a dessert lover’s dream come true! This recipe starts with a delicious brownie base. The brownies are then covered with a fluffy mint frosting and a fabulous thick layer of chocolate ganache. Mmmm….What could be better? This dessert is perfect for parties, birthdays, potlucks and holidays. I recommend making a double batch!
Recommended Kitchen Tools for Making Ganache Recipe
These are the kitchen tools I used to make this quick and easy ganache recipe! One of my favorites is my clear batter bowl with handle and spout. It’s a very handy kitchen tool that I turn to time and again. Mine has a convenient lid just like the one below. An easy inexpensive way to freshen up your kitchen for spring is with a beautiful new set of kitchen towels, pot holders and oven mitts. Right now I’m lovin’ on these items in white and yellow with fresh-looking patterns. For making whipped chocolate frosting and other everyday recipes, I highly recommend investing in this essential kitchen tool
.
Chocolate Ganache Recipe
- Total Time: 15 minutes
- Yield: 3 1/2 Cups 1x
Description
Chocolate GANACHE is a decadent gourmet treat that’s quick and easy to make and very versatile. Use ganache to glaze cakes, make homemade chocolate frosting, tarts, brownies, mousse, truffles, and as a yummy chocolate dip for fruit, cookies and more. Mmm…it’s so darn yummy!
Ingredients
- 1 + 1/2 cups heavy cream
- 4 four-ounce semi-sweet chocolate baking bars (use high-quality chocolate!)
Instructions
- Snap the chocolate baking bars into small pieces and set aside.
- In a saucepan, bring the heavy whipping cream to a light boil. Immediately turn off the heat but allow the pan to remain on the burner.
- Add the chocolate pieces to the hot cream. With a wooden spoon or heat-safe spatula, stir, stir, stir until the chocolate is completely melted and smooth. There should be no lumps.
- Transfer your chocolate ganache to a heat-safe bowl. Refrigerate it briefly until it’s cooled down to room temperature. (If you leave it in the refrigerator too long the chocolate will harden up.) Your ganache is now ready to star in your favorite dessert recipe!
Notes
FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS
- STORAGE. How long will ganache last? Ganache will last for up to two weeks when refrigerated in an air-tight container.
- ICING FOR CAKE. How much ganache is needed to glaze a cake? This recipe yields enough ganache to glaze one 3-layer cake.
- HOMEMADE FROSTING. How to make chocolate frosting? Cool your freshly-made ganache in the refrigerator until it’s cool to the touch. Transfer the cold ganache to the bowl of a stand mixer. Whip the ganache on high speed for 2-3 minutes or until it begins to hold it’s shape. (Don’t over whip the ganache or it will develop a grainy texture.) Now you’re ready to frost a yummy batch of cupcakes! I like using a decorating tip – it’s a super easy way to make desserts look fancy!
- HOW TO SOFTEN HARDENED GANACHE. How do you reheat ganache? Briefly reheat it in a saucepan on your stovetop (or in the microwave) to bring it back to pouring or spreading consistency.
- FLAVORED GANACHE. How to make flavored ganache? Simply add in one tablespoon of vanilla extract, or your favorite liqueur (mine is Kahlua), or espresso powder to taste, etc.
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 5 minutes
- Category: Dessert, Party
- Method: Stovetop
- Cuisine: American
Keywords: dark chocolate ganache, chocolate ganache recipe
GANACHE RECIPE >> PIN IT TO PINTEREST
Save this essential, versatile GANACHE RECIPE right now! Pin it to Pinterest and share it with your friends.
DECADENT GANACHE MADE FROM SCRATCH > JOIN THE CONVERSATION!
Are you a huge chocolate lover like me? What do you think about this easy ganache recipe? Which desserts do you love eating that can be elevated with the simple addition of this chocolaty goodness? I invite you to join the conversation in the comments below. It’s always fun to share great ideas!
This looks so yummy. I would love to make it. Thanks for sharing.
You are so welcome. Hope you enjoy it.
I always wanted to make ganache and just happen to have all the tools, just need to get the ingredients my next trip to the store. :)
You will enjoy it. Thank you so much.
This is perfect! I love how simple this is and there are a lot of other recipe with this. I would love to try the chocolate mousse too.
It is really yummy too!
There is nothing more delicious than a yummy ganache! I am going to have to try this for sure.
★★★★★
You will really enjoy it.
That ganache looks amazing! I’d love it to try it. Those mint brownies look great as well. Thanks for the new recipe!
★★★★★
Thank you so much. I hope you like it.
Oh doesnt this look decadent! I love a good chocolate ganache with ice cream, its absolutely delicious. Great recipe!
★★★★★
Thank you so much.
This is something my son would love, I wonder how it would taste with dark chocolate that is his favorite. Seems really easy too.
I hope you enjoy it.
Oh my this looks so good! Will be saving this recipe foe sure – thanks!!
★★★★★
You are so welcome.
Oh gosh, this looks so good. I thought I was craving before, but now I REALLY am! ha!
★★★★★
I hope you enjoy it.
This is another one to make me want to go bake to baking and making sweets. Thank you for sharing!
You are so welcome.
I love how you make it look so simple! I am not a huge ganache person but your post is motivating me to get off my bum bum go make some for my kids. ???????? It’ll be a treat! ????Thanks!!
★★★★★
Thank you so much. Hope you enjoy it.
I always love everything chocolate. This looks like another brilliant and delicious add to the list!! :)
★★★★★
Its a chocolate recipe you will love.
Wow look super delicious and easy to make. I really love chocolates but I can’t wait to try on ganache. Looks Very tempting! Will bookmark your recipe.
★★★★★
Thank you so much.
I would eat the ganache all by itself. But those mint brownies look heavenly. I want them in my mouth right meow!
★★★★★
Lol. I hope you enjoy them.
Sweetness! This looks yummy. Thanks for sharing this recipe, I’m definitely trying this out ;)
Xo, Sondra
Cuisineandtravel.com
★★★★★
You are so welcome. Hope you enjoy.
I love anything with chocolate! so this looks amazing!
It really is. Hope you like it.
Feeling lucky that I stumbled upon this post while looking for my 6 year old son. It is full of ideas that he will like. Thanks.
Im glad I could help.
Wow — I could sink my teeth in those brownies.
Lol! You will really like them.
This looks like a pretty easy recipe! I’ll have to give it a try. Sounds so delicious!
It really is. Youll really enjoy it.
This is such a decadent treat! Chocolate ganache covered birthday cake is a real treat.
It really is. Thanks for stopping by.
Oh my gosh, yes, I’d probably eat spoonfuls of this, I won’t lie. It looks SO good! Those mint brownies look incredible.
★★★★★
You will love them. Thank you for stopping by.
Love how simple and easy this recipe is! And it looks delicious!
-Jennifer
★★★★★
Hope you enjoy it.
This looks delicious – I never knew how easy it was to make ganache! Now I need to go make some just because I can! Thanks for sharing!
You are so welcome.
Mmm, the mint brownies are speaking to me. And that spatula! Super cute :)
★★★★★
Thank you. And they are so good.
This sure does look decadent, I love how ganache ends up making any dessert to just look and taste better.
It is so yummy.
omg goodness. My love language.. this looks so amazing and easy to make. I will have to try it out.
It is easy. You will enjoy it.
Be right back – I need to go find some chocolate! Haha, very yummy!!
Lol. Hope you enjoy it.
This ganache looks delicious! I’ll have to give it a try soon!
Thank you!
So simple to make and it looks sooo delicious! I might have to try to make some myself! Cheers!
You will really enjoy it