5-Minute One-Bowl Silky Chocolate Ganache

If you’re after a silky-smooth Chocolate Ganache to decorate your cake then try this easy to make, one-bowl method! Using only 4 simple ingredients, this chocolate ganache can be used for cake and cupcakes and all sorts of desserts. You can even use it to make truffles! There’s no special equipment needed, just a bowl and your microwave and you’re on your way to the silkiest chocolate ganache frosting you’ve ever had.

By the way, if you’re looking for some other great frosting recipes, my absolute favorite frosting in the world is my Cream Cheese Frosting, which is creamy, perfectly pipeable and so delicious! It’s made for these luscious Red Velvet Cupcakes! But if you’re looking for a great all-rounder, give my American Buttercream Frosting a go! It goes well with my Vanilla Cupcakes!

Also, if you’re looking for a thinner version of this that you can use as a sauce, give my Chocolate Sauce Recipe a go! It’s so shiny!

What is Chocolate Ganache?

A truly luscious frosting, sometimes sauce, Chocolate Ganache is a glorious accompaniment to pretty much any dessert! In short, Chocolate Ganache is a sweet and creamy mixture of chocolate and cream that is often used as a filling or frosting for desserts. Although I’ve upped mine up with some butter so make it even more shiny and rich!

There are so many ways to use chocolate Ganache!

• Drizzle on cakes
• Fill chocolate cakes
• Fill pies
• Top cakes and pies
• Cover cakes
• Frost on cupcakes
• Turn into truffles!

Ingredients You Need To Make Chocolate Ganache

Note: the whole recipe, including the ingredient quantities, can be found at the bottom of this page – just scroll down to the bottom, or click the ‘Jump to Recipe’ button at the top of this post.

• Dark chocolate – For this recipe you want to use cooking chocolate. The best chocolate to use is chocolate chips or chocolate buttons. I use the nestle Bakers’ Choice Dark Choc Melts because they’re specifically made for chocolate recipes like this and are more stable to work with. In the video you’ll notice that I used chopped cooking chocolate. This is fine too.
• Unsalted butter – I used unsalted butter for this but you can use salted if you want a ganache that isn’t too sweet. I would however recommend using slightly salted and not completely salted butter. The butter in this recipe helps stiffen the ganache, makes it rich in flavor and gives is a luscious shine.
• Glucose syrup / corn syrup – an interesting ingredient to put in ganache! First off, glucose syrup and corn syrup can be found in the baking isle of supermarkets. If you can’t find it, it’s ok. But what this does to the ganache is helps stabilize it and stops it from splitting. It also helps give the ganache a slightly pliable texture so that you can work with it on cakes and pipe it on cupcakes more easily.
• Heavy cream – this is the cream you use to whip cream and will help the sauce thicken, but weirdly enough also helps thin it out and keep it soft. Make sure your cream has at least 30% fat content.

How to make Chocolate Ganache!

• Add all the ingredients into a heat proof bowl
• Microwave for 20 seconds and stir

• Until smooth and silky.
• Allow to cool at room temperature and use!

To soften your ganache
if your ganache sets too hard, which can happen in cooler environments, simply microwave for 10 seconds at a time and stir using a spatula until you reach a spreadable consistency. You can also reheat half of it on a double boiler until softened then mix it into the set ganache to soften it that way too!

Tips and Tricks For Recipe Success!

• Make sure you use good quality ingredients for a great tasting ganache.
• Use cooking chocolate, not eating chocolate.
• Whip chocolate into a frosting consistency! It’s easily done with an electric hand mixer or stand mixer.

Frequently Asked Questions about Chocolate Ganache

What does it taste like?

A silky smooth and tasty chocolate ganache that is pipeable, spreadable and is commonly used to accompany chocolate and fruit desserts! It has a deep and rich chocolate flavor

How do I store this?

In an airtight container for up to a week. If it’s warm where you are, store it in the fridge.

Can I freeze this?

Yep. Place it on a large sheet of plastic wrap once set and wrap it up tightly. Then freeze. Thaw overnight and mix with a spatula before using.

Help! My Ganache is too stiff!

Not a problem. This recipe can stiffen in cold temperatures. Simply place in a heat proof bowl and microwave for 10 seconds. Stir with a spatula and repeat until it comes to a spreadable consistency.

Can I thin this out to a sauce?

Technically yes. By adding more cream, but I have a really great chocolate sauce recipe on the website that is easy to make and pretty much goes on anything. The best thing about it, besides how delicious it is, is that it’s really glossy! Click here to grab the recipe.

Why is my ganache grainy or greasy?

This happens when the chocolate has not been melted properly with the cream. It can also happen if you use the wrong bowl. For best results, use a glass or metal bow, not plastic. You can save it by adding it to a double boiler and melting it again until smooth. Allow it to set fully at room temperature before using

Can I whip this ganache to make it fluffy?

Yep! Begin with ganache that is at a spreading consistency and use an electric hand beater or stand mixer fitted with a paddle attachment and whip on medium high until fluffy.

How do I make this less sweet?

Use really dark chocolate, but don’t overdo it! 90% will give you a bitter ganache. I used 70%. Not too sweet.

Gave this a go? Don’t forget to rate the recipe and leave a comment below! Hungry for more? Join me on Instagram, Facebook, Pinterest and TikTok for more great recipes!

Want more Chocolate in your life? Check these out!

• Easy Chocolate Fudge Cake

• Chocolate Cheesecake

• Easy Chocolate Cake

• Really Good Chocolate Bundt Cake

• Fudgy Chocolate Brownies Recipe

Did you make this? Be sure to leave a review below and tag me @thescranline on Facebook and Instagram!