Chocolate Ganache is a magical emulsion of chocolate and heavy cream, enriched with butter for extra shine and a smooth finish. Warm and fluid, it becomes an elegant cake glaze; cooled and thickened, it transforms into a rich frosting.
The key is gentle stirring from the center outward, which brings the cream and chocolate together without adding excess air. This versatile recipe makes about two cups—enough for glazing a cake, filling layers, or frosting cupcakes.
THE RECIPE
Chocolate Ganache
Prep10 min
Cook5 min
Total15 min
YieldAbout 2 cups
Ingredients
Instructions
- Rinse a medium saucepan with cold water and do not dry it; the thin film of water helps protect the cream from scorching. Add the heavy cream and bring it just to a boil over medium heat.
- Remove the saucepan from the heat, add the finely chopped chocolate, and let it stand undisturbed for 30 seconds.
- Using a flexible spatula, begin stirring gently in the center of the pan. Continue in gradually widening circles until the cream and chocolate form a thick, shiny, smooth emulsion.
- Add the butter one piece at a time, stirring until each piece melts and the ganache is completely smooth. If the mixture is slow to emulsify, warm it over very low heat for about 1 minute while stirring gently.
- Use the ganache immediately while warm and fluid as a glaze. For frosting, let it cool at room temperature, stirring occasionally, until thick enough to spread, or refrigerate briefly and stir frequently.
Tips and Storage
- Finely chop the chocolate so the hot cream can melt it quickly and evenly.
- Stir gently with a spatula rather than whisking to keep the ganache glossy and free of bubbles.
- If the ganache becomes too firm, rewarm it gently over barely simmering water or in short microwave bursts on low power.
- Refrigerate tightly covered for up to 5 days or freeze for up to 1 month.
- Bring chilled or frozen ganache back to room temperature before using, reheating gently if needed; excessive heat can cause separation.
Recipe adapted from the cookbook page supplied by the site owner; directions rewritten with AI assistance. Featured image: AI-generated food photography.