Description
This simple yet decadent ganache recipe makes the perfect rich chocolate glaze or frosting for cakes and cupcakes. Made with bittersweet chocolate and heavy cream, it comes together quickly and can be adjusted in consistency to suit your dessert needs.
Ingredients
Chocolate Mixture
- 9 ounces bittersweet chocolate bar (about 62%, finely chopped)
- ¾ cup heavy cream
Instructions
- Prepare Chocolate: Place the finely chopped bittersweet chocolate into a large heat-safe bowl, ensuring it is evenly spread for melting.
- Heat Cream: Pour the heavy cream into a heavy-bottomed small saucepan and heat it over medium heat until it just begins to simmer. Do not let it boil.
- Combine Chocolate and Cream: Pour the hot cream over the chopped chocolate. Cover the bowl immediately with a plate or plastic wrap to trap heat and let sit undisturbed for 5 minutes, allowing the chocolate to soften.
- Whisk Ganache: Remove the cover, then begin whisking the cream and chocolate mixture starting from the center outward. Initially, it may look broken or separated, but keep whisking until it becomes smooth and glossy.
- Cool for Glaze: Let the ganache cool at room temperature for about 10 minutes before drizzling over cakes or cupcakes as a shiny glaze.
- Chill for Frosting: For a thicker, frosting-like texture or to use as a filling, refrigerate the ganache in the bowl for around 1 hour until firm, then whip it with a handheld mixer until light and fluffy. Use it to spread or pipe on cakes.
Notes
- Use good quality bittersweet chocolate with around 62% cocoa for best flavor.
- Do not let the cream boil as it can burn and affect taste.
- Whisking thoroughly helps bring the ganache together smoothly without lumps.
- Adjust cooling time depending on desired ganache consistency: shorter for glaze, longer for frosting.
- Ganache can be stored in the refrigerator for up to 3 days in an airtight container.
- Bring refrigerated ganache back to room temperature before whipping if it’s too firm.
- Prep Time: 5 minutes
- Cook Time: 5 minutes
- Category: Dessert
- Method: Stovetop
- Cuisine: French
