• Skip to primary navigation
  • Skip to main content
  • Skip to primary sidebar
  • Home
  • About
    • Contact
    • Privacy Policy
    • Work With Me
  • Recipe Index
  • Moments
    • Pregnancy/Baby
      • Baby Registry List
      • Thriving Postpartum: What to Expect & Postpartum Essentials for Mom
  • Shop
    • Best Kitchen Gifts
    • Baby Registry List
    • Kitchen Tools (Must Haves)
    • Pantry Staples (Baking & Cooking)
    • Food Photography Essentials
  • Instagram
JoyFoodSunshine
menu icon
go to homepage
search icon
Homepage link
  • Home
  • Recipe Index
  • About Laura
  • Contact
    • Facebook
    • Instagram
    • Pinterest
    • RSS
    • Twitter
    • YouTube
  • Never Miss a Recipe

  • ×

    Home » Chocolate Ganache

    Chocolate Ganache

    Published: Feb 13, 2023 by Laura · This post may contain affiliate links.

    Jump to Recipe

    It only takes 5 minutes to make this 5-ingredient chocolate ganache recipe! It is rich, chocolatey and silky smooth. Pour it over brownies or whip and and use it as a frosting for chocolate cake!

    Chocolate Ganache on top of brownies

    This chocolate ganache recipe is one of my favorites. I have made it often for many, many years because it's easy and so delicious.

    It only takes 5 ingredients and 5 minutes to make the best chocolate ganache ever. Pour it over brownies or bundt cake or your favorite desserts to make them next-level delicious.

    Chocolate Ganache in a bowl with a spatula

    Chocolate Ganache Recipe: Ingredients & Substitutions

    overhead photo of the ingredients in this Chocolate Ganache Recipe
    • Heavy Cream. There are no substitutions for heavy cream in this recipe.
    • Chopped Chocolate. You can make this recipe suit your tastes by using your favorite variety of chocolate, Dark, semisweet, milk, and even white chocolate all result in a delicious ganache!
    • Honey. Light corn syrup can be used in place of honey.
    whipped Chocolate Ganache on piped top of a cupcake

    How to Make Chocolate Ganache

    Let's walk through how to make ganache step-by-step, and don't forget to watch the video.

    First, warm the cream until it just begins to bubble around the edges in a small saucepan over medium heat – do not let it come to a full boil.  

    photo showing How to Make Chocolate Ganache in a saucepan

    Then, turn off heat, but leave the saucepan on the warm burner, and add chocolate to the warm cream.

    photo showing How to Make Chocolate Ganache in a saucepan

    Whisk the chocolate until the mixture is smooth.

    two photos showing How to Make Chocolate Ganache in a saucepan

    Then, remove the pan from the warm burner and whisk in the vanilla and sea salt.

    two photos showing How to Make Chocolate Ganache in a saucepan

    To use as a glaze:

    Let the ganache cool until it's slightly thickened and close to room temperature.

    Then pour it over a cake (like this chocolate cake or chocolate bundt cake, zucchini cake, etc.), a pan of brownies, etc.

    two photos showing pouring and spreading chocolate ganache over brownies

    To use as a frosting (thicker, firmer)

    Transfer the ganache to a glass bowl and let it come to room temperature (this takes 1-2 hours), stirring every 15-30 minutes.

    You can speed up the process by putting it in the refrigerator for 10-15 minutes, stirring every 3-5 minutes.

    chocolate ganache being poured into a glass bowl

    Once thick, use a standing mixer fitted with the wire whisk attachment or a handheld mixer and whip it until fluffy.

    two photos showing how to make whipped chocolate ganache

    Then, spread or pipe it onto cakes or cupcakes (chocolate cupcakes, vanilla cupcakes).

    whipped chocolate ganache in a glass mixing bowl

    Serve

    Use as a glaze, frosting or filling for your favorites cakes and cupcakes, brownies, etc. Here are some great recipes that pair well with chocolate ganache recipe.

    • Pour it onto this Chocolate cake or chocolate bundt cake.
    • Slather it on this homemade yellow cake.
    • Pipe it onto chocolate cupcakes or vanilla cupcakes.
    • Spread it onto a pan of homemade brownies, or chocolate chip cookie bars.
    whipped Chocolate Ganache piped on top of 3 cupcakes

    Store

    Store leftover ganache in an airtight container (I recommend a glass jar with a lid) in the refrigerator for up to 1 week. Or freeze for up to 2 months.

    Gently warm it to use to drizzle over your favorite desserts, or whip it in a standing mixer to use as a frosting.

    Chocolate Ganache in a bowl with a spatula

    Recipe FAQS

    What are the three types of ganache?

    You can make dark chocolate, milk chocolate or white chocolate ganache with this recipe.

    Which chocolate can be used for ganache?

    In this recipe you can use dark chocolate, semisweet chocolate, milk chocolate, or white chocolate (only a high-quality white chocolate with "cocoa butter" listed as an ingredient).

    Does chocolate ganache get hard?

    The chocolate ganache hardens as it cools. So if you'd like it thicker/firmer chill it or let it cool at room temperature. If it's too thin for your preferences, you can also add more chocolate.

    How long does ganache take to set?

    It takes about 5 hours at room temperature, shorter in the refrigerator.

    Does ganache have to set overnight?

    It doesn't have to, but it is a good idea.

    Chocolate Ganache on top of 6 brownies

    If you make and love our recipes, it would mean so much to me if you would leave a comment and rating! And don't forget to follow along with us on Instagram, Pinterest, Facebook, and Youtube - be sure to tag @joyfoodsunshine and use the hashtag #joyfoodsunshine so we can your creations!

    Chocolate Ganache Recipe

    Laura
    It only takes 5 minutes to make this 5-ingredient chocolate ganache recipe! It is rich, chocolatey and silky smooth.
    5 from 1 vote
    Print Recipe Pin Recipe Save Recipe Saved!
    Prep Time 1 min
    Cook Time 5 mins
    Setting/Chilling 6 hrs
    Total Time 6 hrs 6 mins
    Course condiment, Dessert
    Cuisine American
    Servings 12 Servings
    Calories 165 kcal

    Equipment

    • 3 quart saucepan
    • whisk
    • spatula
    • measuring spoons
    • measuring cups

    Ingredients
     
     

    • 1 cup heavy cream
    • 8 oz chocolate* chopped (semisweet, dark, milk or white chocolate)
    • 1 teaspoon honey
    • ½ teaspoon vanilla extract
    • Pinch sea salt
    Prevent your screen from going dark

    Instructions
     

    • In a small saucepan over medium-high heat, warm the cream until it just begins to bubble around the edges. Let it bubble for about 1 minute, but do not let it boil (turn heat down slightly if necessary).
    • Turn off heat, but leave the saucepan on the warm burner, and whisk in chocolate until the mixture in smooth.
    • Then, remove the pan from the warm burner and whisk in the vanilla and sea salt.
    • To use as a glaze:
    • Let the ganache cool until it's slightly thickened and close to room temperature, then pour it over a cake, a pan of brownies, etc.
    • To use as a frosting (thicker, firmer)
    • Transfer the ganache to an airtight container and chill until thickened.
    • Once thick, use a standing mixer fitted with the wire whisk attachment or a handheld mixer and whip it until fluffy. Then spread or pipe it onto cakes or cupcakes.

    Video

    Notes

    *8 oz chocolate equals 1 ½ cups chopped chocolate. 
    • The ganache thickens/hardens as it cools.
    • This recipe makes enough to generously cover a 9x9” pan of brownies.
    Ingredient Substitutions
    • Heavy Cream. There are no substitutions for heavy cream in this recipe.
    • Chopped Chocolate. You can make this recipe suit your tastes by using your favorite variety of chocolate, Dark, semisweet, milk, and even white chocolate (only high-quality white chocolate with "cocoa butter" as an ingredient) all result in a delicious ganache!
    • Honey. Light corn syrup can be used in place of honey.
    Store/Freeze
    Store leftover ganache in an airtight container (I recommend a glass jar with a lid) in the refrigerator for up to 1 week. Or freeze for up to 2 months.
    Gently warm it to use to drizzle over your favorite desserts, or whip it in a standing mixer to use as a frosting.

    Nutrition

    Serving: 2TBSCalories: 165kcalCarbohydrates: 14gProtein: 1gFat: 12gSaturated Fat: 7gPolyunsaturated Fat: 0.3gMonounsaturated Fat: 2gTrans Fat: 0.03gCholesterol: 25mgSodium: 18mgPotassium: 19mgFiber: 1gSugar: 13gVitamin A: 334IUVitamin C: 0.2mgCalcium: 35mgIron: 0.3mg
    Tried this recipe?Let us know how it was!

    This post contains affiliate links, which means that if you purchase a product through a link you clicked on here, I receive a portion of the sale. Thank you for supporting JoyFoodSunshine! 

    « Chocolate Pudding
    Lemon Butter Tortellini Sauce »

    Did you make this recipe?

    Leave a comment and review below, then take a picture and tag @joyfoodsunshine #joyfoodsunshine on Instagram so I can see it! Sign up here to receive weekly e-mails!

    Reader Interactions

    Leave a Reply Cancel reply

    Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

    Recipe Rating




    This site uses Akismet to reduce spam. Learn how your comment data is processed.

    Primary Sidebar

    Search

    About Laura

    I’m Laura, a former chemistry teacher turned homeschooling mom of six beautiful babies! I create simple and delicious recipes that are tested and perfected to make cooking and baking joyful and fun!

    Click here to read more >>

    • Facebook
    • Instagram
    • Pinterest
    • RSS Feed
    • Twitter
    • YouTube

    Most Popular Recipes

    • The Best Chocolate Chip Cookie Recipe Ever
    • Best Cinnamon Rolls Recipe (Better than Cinnabon)
    • Easy Homemade Pizza Dough Recipe
    • Easy Dutch Oven No Knead Bread
    • Easy Homemade Pizza Sauce Recipe (5- Minutes)
    • Asian Chicken Lettuce Wraps
      Asian Chicken Lettuce Wraps (Better than P.F. Chang's)!

    Trending now

    • Blueberry Baked Oatmeal Recipe
    • Healthy Pineapple Carrot Cake
    • The Best Banana Cake Recipe
    • Egg Casserole (Egg Bake)
    • Baked French Toast Casserole
    • Best Carrot Cake Recipe
      Best Carrot Cake Recipe

    Footer

    ↑ back to top

    Joy Food Sunshine Logo
    • Facebook
    • Instagram
    • Pinterest
    • RSS Feed
    • Twitter
    • YouTube

    Never Miss a Recipe

    0 shares