Chocolate Ganache

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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 โ€“ 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

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

Use as 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.

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

Chocolate Ganache 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

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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 2 votes
Course condiment, Dessert
Cuisine American
Servings 12 Servings
Calories 165
Prep Time1 minute
Cook Time5 minutes
Setting/Chilling6 hours
Total Time6 hours 6 minutes

Ingredients 
 

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 ยฝ cups chopped chocolate.ย 
  • The ganache thickens/hardens as it cools.
  • This recipe makes enough to generously cover a 9×9โ€ 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: 2Tablespoons | Calories: 165kcal | Carbohydrates: 14g | Protein: 1g | Fat: 12g | Saturated Fat: 7g | Polyunsaturated Fat: 0.3g | Monounsaturated Fat: 2g | Trans Fat: 0.03g | Cholesterol: 25mg | Sodium: 18mg | Potassium: 19mg | Fiber: 1g | Sugar: 13g | Vitamin A: 334IU | Vitamin C: 0.2mg | Calcium: 35mg | Iron: 0.3mg

Nutrition information is automatically calculated, so should only be used as an approximation.

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