• Facebook
  • Instagram
  • Pinterest
  • X
 Trending:  Easy Recipes
Erren's Kitchen
  • Home
  • Recipes
    • Recipe Finder
    • All Recipes
    • Course
      • Breakfast
      • Appetizer
      • Lunch
      • Dinner
      • Side
      • Dessert
      • Drinks
    • Type
      • Quick and Easy
      • Vegetarian
      • Pasta
      • Soups
      • Salads & Dressings
      • Rice Dishes
      • Comfort Food
      • Slow Cooker
    • Protein
      • Chicken & Poultry
      • Seafood
      • Beef, Pork, & Lamb
    • Cuisine
      • Italian Food
      • Asian Food
      • American
      • Mediterranean
      • Mexican Food
      • Southern
    • Method
      • Slow Cooker
      • One Pot/One Pan
      • Oven-Baked and Roasted Recipes
      • Stovetop
    • Desserts
      • Brownies & Bars
      • Cakes & Cupcakes
      • Cookies
      • Pies & Tarts
      • Muffins, Breads & Donuts
      • Ice Cream Recipes
  • Videos
  • Conversions
    • US Sticks of Butter Conversion Charts
    • Basic ounces to grams weight conversions
    • Oven Temperature Conversions
    • Butter in the US and the Rest of the World
    • British Dessert Spoon Conversions
    • US Cups to ounces & grams for common ingredients
    • Basic Volume Conversions
  • About
    • Erren’s Kitchen
    • Meet the Team
    • Meet Erren
    • Collaborate
    • Life Stories
    • Contact
    • Our Philosophy

Specialties:

Quick & Easy
Italian
Poultry
Better Than Takeout!
Desserts
Meat
Pasta
Home / Desserts

How To Make Chocolate Ganache

Chocolate ganache made with chocolate, cream, and a touch of salt to make an incredibly creamy and decadent dish that can be used in countless ways.

Erren Hart

|

last Updated:

5 from 11 votes
Jump to Recipe
Serves: 6
Prep: 10 minutes mins
Cook: 5 minutes mins
overhead shot of chocolate ganache being swirled with a whisk
overhead shot of chocolate ganache being swirled with a whisk
An overhead shot of chocolate mixed into peanut butter with a whisk making a swirl

An overhead shot of chocolate mixed into peanut butter with a whisk making a swirl

This site runs ads and generates income from affiliate links. Read my disclosure policy.

This guide on How to Make Chocolate Ganache is easy, delicious and so versatile you’ll be finding reasons to make it over and over!

An overhead shot of chocolate ganache with a whisk making a swirl
Pin This Recipe For Later!

This indulgent recipe is something I came up with when I was short on time and ingredients one day. I’d baked a wonderful chocolate cake but hadn’t thought ahead about how to frost it (yes it happens to food bloggers too!). I had cream and chocolate, and this is the result. This ganache icing goes wonderfully with my Easy Homemade Chocolate Cupcakes.

It’s rich, creamy, and luxurious and can be thrown together easily, but makes an impressive presentation.  I was making this for a family-friendly bake, but for grown-ups, add a couple of tablespoons of your favorite liqueur for an added indulgence.

What is ganache?

Classic Chocolate Ganache is typically a 1:1 mixture of chocolate and cream used as a glaze, icing, sauce, or filling for cakes and pastries. This recipe is my take on the original and I guarantee you won’t be disappointed!

Why This Recipe Works

  • The use of simple ingredients makes this something you can whip up in no time!
  • Using dark or bittersweet chocolate gives this ganache a rich flavor that can’t be beat!
  • A pinch of salt cuts the sweetness giving it a more complex flavor profile.

Why This Recipe Works

  1. Heat the cream.
  2. Pour the cream over the chocolate. Mix together.
  3. Add a pinch of kosher salt.
  4. Cover and place in the refrigerator to set.
  5. Serve and enjoy!

Which Chocolate Is Best

Chocolate chips on white background.

When I use chocolate in a recipe I always recommend Dark Chocolate with around 54.5%  Cacao as it is delicious, not too sweet, and melts easily.  The better quality chocolate, the better the results. You can get the chocolate I use here on Amazon by clicking here (#paidlink).

However, you can use semi-sweet, bitter-sweet or dark chocolate too.

What Cream?

The best cream for ganache is a cream with high-fat content, it helps bind everything together and set well.

Heavy cream, whipping cream, double cream in the UK, and thickened cream in Australia are all fantastic alternatives.

Step by Step Instructions

In a small saucepan or the microwave, heat the cream just until hot.

milk being poured into a pan

Place the chocolate and salt into a medium mixing bowl. When the cream is just hot (forming bubbles), pour it over the chocolate.

chocolate chips and hot cream in a bowl

Whisk until smooth.

chocolate and cream being mixed together.

Allow to set and use to make truffles, ganache frosting or filling for cakes, to make chocolate tarts, or just serve as an easy chocolate dessert. The choices are endless!

Chocolate Ganache in a stemmed glass topped with chcolate shavings

Tips and Variations

  • Use good quality chocolate that is around 54-55%  Cacao to avoid problems with the ganache setting.
  • For piping the frosting, I recommend doubling the recipe as piping uses more.
  • Boiling can cause a skin to form on cream so try to heat until just before boiling point.
  • Make the ganache before you plan to do any baking and while it cools, bake your cake or cupcakes so the ganache will be ready to use.
  • If your ganache gets too hard in the fridge, remove it and leave it at room temperature until it softens.
  • Use the ganache to fill cakes or pastries. Or eat it on its own for an indulgent dessert.
  • Whip the chocolate ganache up into a fluffy frosting
  • Use as a dip for fruit.
  • Use as a filling in sandwich cookies.

FAQs

What is the difference between chocolate ganache and chocolate buttercream?

Buttercream is a smooth frosting made from butter and confectioners sugar. Ganache is simply melted chocolate and cream which can be used as a frosting, glaze, drizzle or a filling for layer cakes.

How Long Will chocolate ganache last?

Ganache can be left for up to two days at room temperature but must then be refrigerated. You can freeze ganache for up to one month in a freezer-safe container. Allow to thaw in the fridge and reach room temperature before use.

How do you make ganache thicker?

To make your ganache thicker use a higher chocolate to cream ratio. Milk chocolate and white chocolate all melt to a thinner consistency which is why this recipe calls for dark chocolate. To make a thicker ganache for things such as truffles a 2:1 ratio of chocolate to cream is recommended.

Why is my ganache too runny?

Your ganache may be too runny if your cream doesn’t have a high-fat content. Always use a thick cream such as whipping cream, heavy cream, or double cream for best results.

Other Great How-to Guides

  • How To Melt Chocolate
  • How To Make Pie Crust

Rate This Recipe

Click here to leave a star rating!

An overhead shot of chocolate mixed into peanut butter with a whisk making a swirl

Recipe

Chocolate Ganache

Chocolate ganache made with chocolate, cream, and a touch of salt to make an incredibly creamy and decadent dish that can be used in countless ways.
5 from 11 votes
Print
Prep Time: 10 minutes mins
Cook Time: 5 minutes mins
Cooling Time: 1 hour hr
Total Time: 1 hour hr 15 minutes mins
Serves 6

Ingredients

  • 1½ cups whipping cream (heavy cream, double cream and whipping cream are all good opions)
  • 12 ounces dark chocolate ((around 54-55% Cocoa solids) chopped)
  • 1 pinch kosher salt (optional)

Instructions

  • Heat the cream, in a small saucepan or in the microwave until it’s hot and starts to bubble.
  • Place chocolate in a medium bowl and pour over the hot cream. Let stand for 5 minutes.
  • Add the salt and whisk until smooth, then cover with plastic wrap and refrigerate until cool and slightly firm, anywhere from 1 to 3 hours (different chocolates take different times to set back up after melting).

Tips

  • Use good quality chocolate that’s around 54-55% Cocoa solids
  • The salt is to cut sweetness, but totally optional.
  • Boiling can cause a skin to form on cream so I recommend not boiling. Heating until just before boiling point will do.
Show Nutrition Hide Nutrition

Nutrition

Calories: 272 | Carbohydrates: 14g | Protein: 3g | Fat: 23g | Saturated Fat: 14g | Cholesterol: 42mg | Sodium: 20mg | Potassium: 225mg | Fiber: 3g | Sugar: 7g | Vitamin A: 448IU | Vitamin C: 1mg | Calcium: 40mg | Iron: 3mg
Created by Erren Hart
Save to favoritesYour saved recipes will be right here waiting for you every time you visit, so you can easily find and make the meals you love.
5 from 11 votes (4 ratings without comment)

Leave a Reply Cancel reply

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

Rate this recipe:




14 responses

  1. Allison Mendell Avatar
    Allison Mendell
    07/27/2021

    Outstanding and easy!! SO worth making! Everyone loved it!

    Reply
    1. Erren Hart Avatar
      Erren Hart
      07/27/2021

      That’s so great! Thanks for taking the time to let me know! 🙂

      Reply
  2. Doreen Avatar
    Doreen
    04/19/2021

    This was so easy and turned out amazing. I added a pinch of cinnamon and a splash of vanilla. Yummy.

    Reply
    1. Erren Hart Avatar
      Erren Hart
      04/19/2021

      That’s so wonderful to hear! I’m so happy you enjoyed the recipe so much! Thanks for letting me know! 🙂

      Reply
  3. Debbie Avatar
    Debbie
    03/31/2021

    I added extra cream to this recipe and used it as a dipping sauce for strawberries. Delicious!

    Reply
    1. Erren Hart Avatar
      Erren Hart
      03/31/2021

      Great idea, Debbie!

      Reply
  4. Poppy Avatar
    Poppy
    03/24/2021

    This is just outragous! Thanks so much for the recipe!

    Reply
    1. Erren Hart Avatar
      Erren Hart
      03/24/2021

      Glad to hear it, Poppy! 🙂

      Reply
  5. Blair Avatar
    Blair
    02/20/2021

    I made this in glasses topped with your whipped cream. Perfection!

    Reply
    1. Erren Hart Avatar
      Erren Hart
      02/20/2021

      Good call, Blair! I’m so glad you enjoyed it!

      Reply
  6. Gilly Avatar
    Gilly
    02/20/2021

    I used this recipe to make truffels on Valentines day. Just perfect! Thanks!

    Reply
    1. Erren Hart Avatar
      Erren Hart
      02/20/2021

      I’m so glad you enjoyed it, Gilly!

      Reply
  7. Mandy Avatar
    Mandy
    01/31/2021

    I can’t believe how easy this is, and delicious. I could just eat it on its own!

    Reply
    1. Erren's Kitchen Avatar
      Erren’s Kitchen
      02/01/2021

      Thank you Mandy 🙂

      Reply
A woman with long dark hair and a dark blue shirt is smiling while leaning on a kitchen counter. In front of her are a plate of pasta and a cutting board with chopped herbs. A potted plant, a cooking pot, and a marble backsplash are in the background.

Welcome

Thank you for visiting Erren’s Kitchen! Here you will find a collection of easy & delicious recipes made with fresh, simple ingredients.

MORE ABOUT ERREN

FOLLOW ON SOCIAL!

Don’t forget to tag me on social @ErrensKitchen to be featured!

  • Facebook
  • Instagram
  • Pinterest
  • X

Win a $100!

Join the Made with Erren Challenge for a chance to win an Amazon gift card!

Find Out More

Trending


  • Best EVER Potato Wedges

    Best EVER Potato Wedges

  • Seriously, The Best Broccoli of Your Life

    Seriously, The Best Broccoli of Your Life

  • The Best Fettuccine Alfredo of Your Life

    The Best Fettuccine Alfredo of Your Life

  • Easy Homemade Tomato Sauce

    Easy Homemade Tomato Sauce

  • Award Winning Banana Bread

    Award Winning Banana Bread

  • Crispy Roasted Potatoes

    Crispy Roasted Potatoes

Reader Favorites


  • Easy Chocolate Chip Cookies

    Easy Chocolate Chip Cookies

  • The Best Brussels Sprouts of Your Life

    The Best Brussels Sprouts of Your Life

  • Ultimate Orange Cake

    Ultimate Orange Cake

  • Fudgy Chocolate Chip Brownies

    Fudgy Chocolate Chip Brownies

Quick
Desserts
Dinner
Comforts
Poultry
Pasta
Meat
Seafood
Sides

Favorite Recipes from 2024

These posts were seen over 4.5 million times!

  • The Best Brussels Sprouts of Your Life

    The Best Brussels Sprouts of Your Life

  • Seriously, The Best Broccoli of Your Life

    Seriously, The Best Broccoli of Your Life

  • Quick & Easy Chinese Noodle Soup

    Quick & Easy Chinese Noodle Soup

  • Quick & Easy Spaghetti Bolognese

    Quick & Easy Spaghetti Bolognese

  • Donut Glaze Recipe

    Donut Glaze Recipe

  • Crispy Roasted Potatoes

    Crispy Roasted Potatoes

Still hungry?

Subscribe to my Newsletter for all my latest recipes!

All Recipes
Dinner Ideas
Conversion Guide
Quick & Easy
Erren hart of Erren's Kitchen leaning on a kitchen island.

About your Chef

I’m Erren, I have a passion for cooking and baking from scratch to create simple, nourishing, delicious recipes made with fresh ingredients, free from artificial additives and preservatives you find in prepackaged foods.

Meet Erren
Life Updates
  • Facebook
  • Instagram
  • Pinterest
  • X
Contact
Work with Me
Privacy Policy
Disclaimer

© All Rights Reserved. Brand by MRD. Site by OC.

1.5K shares
  • 12

Rate This Recipe

Your vote:




Let us know what you thought of this recipe:

This worked exactly as written, thanks!
My family loved this!
Thank you for sharing this recipe

Or write in your own words:

A rating is required
A name is required
An email is required

Recipe Ratings without Comment

Something went wrong. Please try again.