Chocolate ganache can be poured as a coating, chilled and made into truffles, whipped into a delightfully light frosting or filling or just mixed into white frosting or whipped cream for instant chocolate flavor. And the best thing about it is that virtually everyone has the skills and tools to make it.
Basic ganache consists of just two ingredients: semi-sweet chocolate and heavy cream. The meaning of the French word ganache is "cushion," as the cream seems to "cushion" both the flavor and texture of chocolate. This basic recipe is often enhanced by the addition of butter or flavored liqueurs, or it can be made by substituting water or milk for all or part of the cream. (Using anything other than cream will affect its shine and luxurious texture, however.)
The method is always the same:
- Bring the cream to a boil, then remove from the heat at once and pour over a bowl of chopped chocolate.
- Let it stand, covered, for a moment to soften the chocolate, then whisk until smooth. For best results, let it cool overnight at room temperature.
Using Ganache
Truffles
Mix chocolate and cream in a ratio of 3 parts chocolate to 1 part cream. This will create a firm-textured ganache that can hold its shape. Once your ganache has cooled, scoop little balls using a melon baller or small ice cream scoop. Dip the truffles in an additional layer of coating chocolate, or simply roll in cocoa powder, sprinkles or sugar. These make amazing gifts!
Glazing
Using a ganache as a glaze to coat cakes, soufflés, éclairs or petit fours is a delicious and fairly simple way to create stunning desserts. For a pourable glaze that sets up soft and shiny, use equal parts chocolate and cream. Some people like to add a little bit of corn syrup or butter to enhance the shine. If using the next day, melt over a double boiler, stirring frequently until smooth and shiny. It is also great warmed in a fondue pot with fresh fruit and pound cake for dipping.
Filling
Let it set up at room temperature, then chill. Beat with an electric mixer or stand mixer using the paddle attachment. You can heat it up slightly, but it will maintain its texture better if it is kept cold. Use to fill or frost cakes as you would any pre-made frosting from a can.
Chocolate whipped cream
Use one part chocolate to one part whipped cream. Chill at least eight hours or overnight. Like whipped cream, it works best when the beater and bowl are kept cold. Use to fill or frost cakes as you would use whipped cream.
Customize
Small amounts of liqueurs or extracts may be mixed into the ganache for more character. This should be done after mixing the cream and chocolate together. Start with 2 tablespoons for each half cup of cream, adding more to taste if you prefer. You may also try using milk chocolate or white chocolate to make ganache. These do well with extra flavors added because they are so sweet. Some recipes using white chocolate may require a higher chocolate-to-cream ratio than dark chocolate, depending upon the quality of the chocolate.
Perfect Every Time
Occasionally you may encounter a dry-looking or even cracked ganache. This is usually due to over-heating or cooling too rapidly. If you allow the cream and chocolate to get too hot, especially when reheating, the oils may separate out of the chocolate and float to the top, leaving you with a dull, dry-looking finished product. You may still use it as truffles, whipped filling or simply melt it and spoon into a glass of warm milk for a delicious cup of hot chocolate.
Sending your ganache straight to the refrigerator after mixing can also cause it to separate. The process of cooling the ganache slowly helps the molecules from the chocolate and cream to bond more securely, giving it a nice shine. It's best to allow it to cool at room temperature before transferring it to the fridge.
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