• Skip to primary navigation
  • Skip to main content
  • Skip to primary sidebar
  • Recipes
    • Recipe Search
    • Recipe Index
    • Bars & Brownies
    • Breakfast
    • Cakes
    • Cookies
    • Cupcakes
    • Frosting
    • Fruit Desserts
    • Muffins
    • One Bowl Desserts
    • Pies & Tarts
  • About Me
  • Food Photography
    • Work with Me
    • Classes and Workshops
  • Shop

Frosting & Fettuccine

Home » Recipe Search » Frosting

May 8, 2023

From Scratch Chocolate Ganache Frosting

BySam Adler
Jump to Recipe

This post might have affiliate links, please check out my full disclosure policy.

Level up your frosting game with this Chocolate Ganache Frosting made from scratch! The combination of semi-sweet chocolate chips, heavy cream, and butter creates a perfectly smooth, glossy whipped ganache that can be used to top brownies, cupcakes, or any dessert needing rich and delicious, yet light chocolate flavor.

A cupcake topped with whipped chocolate ganache frosting.
This whipped chocolate ganache frosting with hold its shape at room temperature for hours!

One of my favorite things to learn in pastry school was all the different types of homemade frosting recipes. Each had its own unique flavor, from buttercream to icing, to decadent chocolate ganache!

Ganache is a French technique that involves heating cream and pouring it over chocolate. When mixed together it creates a glossy, smooth texture that can be used to coat cakes, cupcakes, and tarts or used as a glaze. Depending on the ratio of cream to chocolate you use, you can make a thin or thick chocolate ganache.

While the technique of making ganache can get complicated at times, this easy method will have you making this rich, indulgent whipped chocolate ganache frosting in no time!

The key to a chocolate ganache frosting is to use a 1:1 ratio of chocolate to heavy cream, making it more like thick frosting and increasing its versatility. Plus, you’ll only need three ingredients to make it!

This frosting is light and airy which would make it perfect over already decadent chocolate lover desserts like chocolate filled cupcakes, chocolate loaf cake, or a batch of triple chocolate brownies!

WHY YOU SHOULD MAKE THIS RECIPE

  • This whipped ganache frosting will hold its shape at room temperature for hours.
  • It takes just three ingredients and can be made in less than 15 minutes.
  • It’s very easy to decorate cakes and cupcakes with.

INGREDIENTS & TOOLS NEEDED

Ingredients for chocolate ganache frosting.
All you need are 3 simple ingredients!
  • 50-60% Semi-Sweet Chocolate – This specific type of chocolate gets melted down and creates an intense and decadent flavor. You can also use dark chocolate.
  • Heavy Whipping Cream – When mixed with the chocolate, cream gives the ganache its shiny, glossy look and creamy texture.
  • Salt – Helps balance out the flavors in the ganache, enhancing their natural sweetness and cocoa.
  • Electric Mixer – You’ll need an electric mixer to get the perfect texture. This can be a stand mixer or a handheld mixer.

HOW TO MAKE CHOCOLATE GANACHE FRosting

Warm the cream: Pour the heavy cream into a measuring cup or bowl. Microwave for 55-60 seconds or until it’s scalding. Generally, this will take two rounds. Do not bring the milk to a full boil, or it will curdle.

Add cream to chocolate: Add the chocolate to a shallow heat-safe bowl- this will help the chocolate melt faster than if you used a deep bowl. Then pour the scalding cream over the chocolate and let it sit for 5 minutes without stirring. After the 5 minutes, stir with a spatula until smooth, then add the salt and mix again.

Chill the ganache: Place the bowl into the fridge for 50 minutes to help it chill quickly. If it is in a deeper bowl, it will take longer to chill. You’ll know its ready when you stir it and it has gotten thicker- see the below photo.

Whip the ganache: Use an electric mixer with the whisk attachment or a hand mixer. Whip the chocolate ganache on medium-high speed for 2-3 minutes or until light and fluffy. Do not over whip, as this will cause the frosting to curdle. Please watch this and check after 1 minute every mixer has different power and some go faster than others! Spread on top of your favorite desserts. Enjoy

Cream covering bits of chocolate in a glass bowl.
Pour the hot cream over the chocolate and leave it untouched for 5 minutes.
Melted chocolate in a glass bowl.
Stir with a spatula to avoid unnecessary bubbles in the chocolate.
Chocolate ganache in a shallow white bowl.
Use a shallow bowl to cool the ganache, it will go faster.
Fudgy chocolate ganache swirls.
The ganache is ready to be whipped when it thickens like this.
Chocolate ganache in a stainless steel mixing bowl.
Pour the ganache into a mixing bowl with the whisk attachment.
A beater with chocolate ganache frosting on it showing stiff peaks.
Whip carefully! 1-3 minutes depending on the strength of your mixer.

Yield

This whipped chocolate ganache frosting makes enough to pipe and generously frost 12 cupcakes. If you are frosting with a knife you can frost 24 cupcakes. It will also make enough filling and frosting for 1, 2 layer 8″ round cake or a 9×13 sheet cake.

TIPS FOR RECIPE SUCCESS

  • Different ratios: We’re using a 1:1 ratio here of chocolate to cream, which makes a more frosting-like ganache. You can use other ratios like 2:1 (chocolate to cream), which will make more of a truffle ganache and set up really nicely. 
  • Chop the chocolate well: Ensure that the chocolate is chopped into small pieces, so it melts easily and allows the scalding cream to melt it.
  • Scalding the milk: Instead of the microwave, you can use the stovetop to scald the cream. Heat until the edges start to simmer. If it’s steamy but not bubbling, you’re good. When you see small bubbles heating up on the side of the pan, you know it’s ready. 
  • Leave the chocolate alone: It’s important to let the cream sit over the chocolate for five minutes without touching it as this can cause the cream to separate.
  • Chill it well: Make sure your ganache is chilled really well before whipping it. Otherwise, it will be too thin and won’t set properly. The fridge is best as it will take longer at room temperature.
  • Use a spatula: Don’t use a whisk because a whisk will create air bubbles in the ganache, and you don’t want that. We got yelled at in pastry school if we used a whisk for this part! Mix gently till all the pieces are smoothed out.
  • Bittersweet or milk chocolate is not ideal for the ganache: Bittersweet can be too bitter, and milk chocolate will be too sweet. The same goes for white chocolate- because it doesn’t contain any. 

STORAGE AND FREEZING

Storing instructions: Store in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 5 days. When you’re about to use it, let it sit at room temperature to work. It will be too firm right out of the fridge and hard to work with.

Freezing instructions: This can also be frozen for up to 3 months. Place the ganache in an airtight container, and cover it with plastic wrap and a layer of foil. Let thaw overnight in the refrigerator before whipping and using.

FAQ

What is the difference between chocolate frosting and chocolate ganache?

Chocolate frosting is made with butter, sugar, and cocoa powder. Chocolate ganache is an emulsion of melted chocolate and cream that is often used as a topping or filling for cakes, cupcakes, and other desserts.

What can I use instead of heavy cream?

Heavy cream gives the best texture to a ganache, but if you don’t have any on hand, you can use whole milk or even a plant-based alternative such as almond or oat milk though the texture will be a lot thinner.

Does chocolate ganache harden when set?

Typically, ganache hardens when it sets, but this all depends on the ratio of cream to chocolate used. A higher ratio of cream will result in a softer, more fudgy texture, while a lower ratio will result in a harder set.

MORE CHOCOLATE FROSTING RECIPES

  • 3 Ingredient Light Whipped Chocolate Frosting
  • 5 Minute Decadent Chocolate Brownie Frosting
  • 5 Minute Chocolate Buttercream Frosting
  • 5 Minute Chocolate Cream Cheese Frosting
A cupcake topped with whipped chocolate ganache frosting.

From Scratch Chocolate Ganache Frosting

Level up your frosting game with this Chocolate Ganache Frosting made from scratch! The combination of semi-sweet chocolate chips, heavy cream, and butter creates a perfectly smooth, glossy whipped ganache that can be used to top brownies, cupcakes, or any dessert needing rich and delicious, yet light chocolate flavor.
No ratings yet
Print Pin SaveSaved! Rate
Course: Frosting
Cuisine: American, French
Diet: Kosher
Keyword: chocolate ganache, easy chocolate ganache, whipped chocolate ganache
Prep Time: 10 minutes minutes
Chilling Time: 50 minutes minutes
Total Time: 1 hour hour
Servings: 12 cupcakes
Calories: 261kcal
Author: Sam Adler

Equipment

  • Electric Mixer

Ingredients

  • 12 oz semi sweet chocolate 50-60% or dark chocolate (341g)
  • 12 oz heavy whipping cream
  • ¼ tsp salt

Instructions

  • Add the 12 oz of chocolate to a heat safe medium bowl, preferably shallow. In a measuring cup or another bowl, heat the 12 oz of cream in the microwave 55-60 seconds at a time until scalding. It should take about 2 x. You can also heat it over the stove top just until the edges start to simmer. Do not bring to a full boil or the cream will curdle.
    Cream covering bits of chocolate in a glass bowl.
  • Pour the cream over the chocolate and let it sit for 5 mins UNTOUCHED. Do not stir it yet! After 5 minutes, stir with a spatula until smooth. Add the salt and mix again.
    Melted chocolate in a glass bowl.
  • Chill the ganache in the fridge for 50 minutes in a large shallow bowl. This helps the ganache chill quickly. The cool air in the fridge will help it set up quicker than if you left it at room temperature. It will take longer to cool if it’s in a deeper bowl.
    Fudgy chocolate ganache swirls.
  • In the bowl of an electric mixer ( a hand mixer or a stand mixer fitted with the whisk attachment) whip the ganache on medium- high speed until light and fluffy- about 2-3 minutes making sure not to over whip or the frosting will curdle.
    A beater with chocolate ganache frosting on it showing stiff peaks.
  • Spread on top of chocolate filled cupcakes , a chocolate loaf cake, or triple chocolate brownies.
    A cupcake topped with whipped chocolate ganache frosting.

Notes

Use a spatula to mix the ganache so you dont add any uneccessary bubbles to the chocolate mixture. 
This recipes makes enough frosting to generously pipe 12 cupcakes or frost 24 cupcakes with a knife. It will make enough to fill and frost a 2 layer 8 in round cake or a 9×13 cake.

Nutrition

Nutrition Facts
From Scratch Chocolate Ganache Frosting
Amount Per Serving (1 portion)
Calories 261 Calories from Fat 189
% Daily Value*
Fat 21g32%
Saturated Fat 13g81%
Trans Fat 0.02g
Polyunsaturated Fat 1g
Monounsaturated Fat 6g
Cholesterol 34mg11%
Sodium 59mg3%
Potassium 188mg5%
Carbohydrates 16g5%
Fiber 2g8%
Sugar 11g12%
Protein 3g6%
Vitamin A 431IU9%
Vitamin C 0.2mg0%
Calcium 36mg4%
Iron 2mg11%
* Percent Daily Values are based on a 2000 calorie diet.

I love when you share my recipes!!

28 shares

Filed Under: Frosting Tagged With: Chocolate

About Sam Adler

Sam Adler is a Le Cordon Bleu professionally trained pastry chef, Saveur Blog Award winner, food photographer, and food blogger over on FrostingandFettuccine.com. She has been featured in numerous online and in-print publications including Taste of Home Magazine, Saveur Magazine, The Feed Feed, and Food Blogger Pro. Sam lives in Hollywood florida with her husband, two young kids, and french bulldog. When she’s not baking and dancing in her kitchen you can find her at her favorite yoga spot.

Reader Interactions

Leave a comment & rate this recipe Cancel reply

Do you love this recipe? If so, I would be so grateful if you left a star rating with your comment! Star ratings help other people find my recipes so they can make them too. Thank you for your support!

XO, Sam

Recipe Rating




Primary Sidebar

Search

Hi! Im Sam Adler,

I'm a professionally trained pastry chef and food photographer.
This is a place where you will find easy yet impressive looking desserts. I also share a ton of food photography resources too! What can I say, I love pretty & delicious baked goods! Learn more about me!

As Featured In:

Logo images of media places Sam Adler has been featured in
Saveur Blog award winner for best food Instagram

samadlerphotography

Sam Adler | Food Photography & Styling
Not my usual style but since it was a holiday week Not my usual style but since it was a holiday weekend I thought it was fitting! Also yes I know the cheese is not melted but this was the way the client wanted it, so that’s the way we did it! This shoot got its inspo from a show on tv- can you guess what it is!? 

Also- I’ll be going live again with Jamie from @foodbloggerbossco today at 1 pm EST! We figured we had such a good time last week we’re gonna do it again! We’re trying to make this a weekly thing where we answer and talk about 1 question pertaining to food photography and or blogging for 10-15 mins. So welcome to our next ten minute talk! See you soon!
Save this Live with @foodbloggerbossco and watch i Save this Live with @foodbloggerbossco and watch it later! Inside we talked about how I grew my traffic 5x over a year- things that worked and things that didn’t! Bottom line- don’t give up! My traffic was at 15k a little over a year ago and now hovering around 165k!! If I can do it so can you! 🎉
Going LIVE at 1pm EST today with @foodbloggerbossc Going LIVE at 1pm EST today with @foodbloggerbossco to talk about how i set up my baking food blog frostingandfettuccine.com to run on its own during maternity leave and how it’s been has been bringing me my highest income to date! 

🚨spoiler alert*🚨this did not happen overnight!

Success with anything is really about consistency, strategy, and implementation. Excited to share all the juicy details with you so soon! 

#foodblogger #foodphotographer #foodblogging #foodphotographyandstyling #foodstyling #bakingrecipes
My latest, most delicious recipe- meet ✨💚Aver My latest, most delicious recipe- meet ✨💚Avery Silas 💚✨ 2 months old now! Needless to say our lives have changed a lot recently and we are all still adjusting! Chase has basically turned into a teenager 🤯🥹 and Adrienne is a full blown hippy, flower child, and mini #swiftie - lol to her fake hair, braid that stayed in for 6 weeks and the tattoo on her arm (🆘 😂). And bc not everyday is all perfect photos and happy kids I threw one screaming pic in there for good measure 😂. 

I literally have no idea how to use this app anymore so my only plan is to have fun on it bc if im not having fun then what’s the point. Thanks for all your messages and congratulations and giving me the break and space I needed. It’s good to be back! 

#maternityleave #workingmoms #newmom #2monthsold #southfloridafoodphotographer #floridafoodphotographer #newbaby #babyboy
👋🏻 2022! Will be celebrating this year on th 👋🏻 2022! Will be celebrating this year on the couch with this in my lap. No sharing allowed! Those 3 spoons are all mine 😂😂 

🍾🥂HAPPY NEW YEAR 🍾🥂
.
.
.
#newyearseve #2023goals #cookieskillet #skilletcookie #giantchocolatechipcookie #chocolatechipcookies #chocolatechipcookie #cookiephotography #foodphotographyandstyling #foodstylingandphotography #foodphotographer #foodstylist #foodstylists #castironbaking #castironskillet #castiron @lodgecastiron
Recap of all the cookie boxes!!! This year’s @ta Recap of all the cookie boxes!!! This year’s @taylorswift theme has got to be my fave (see my last reel for the explanation of each cookie!) but I have so much fun every year making these! Which one is your fave?! 

#cookieboxes #cookiebox #cookiegifts #cookiegiftbox #holidaycookies #taylorswift #TaylorSwiftcookies #homemadecookies #customcookies #cookiedecorating #cookiesofinstagram #cookiedesign #cookiephotography #holidaycookiebox #holidaygiftsets #holidaygifts #ediblegifts #swiftie #swiftiesforever #taylornation @taylornation
Load more please Follow me on Instagram!

Categories

Archives

Privacy Policy  | Disclosure Policy

 

Support by Foodie Digital

Footer

↑ back to top

About

  • About
  • Web Stories
  • Privacy Policy

Disclosure

As an Amazon Associate I earn from qualifying purchases.

Disclosure Policy

Contact

  • Contact
  • Work with me

Copyright © 2023 Samantha Adler | Frosting & Fettuccine | Support by Foodie Digital

28 shares