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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.
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!
Whipped ganache like this is airy and lighter in texture- just like my whipped chocolate frosting. Classic chocolate buttercream frosting and chocolate fudge frosting are going to be on the thicker side.
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
- 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
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
From Scratch Chocolate Ganache Frosting
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.
- 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.
- 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.
- 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.
- Spread on top of chocolate filled cupcakes , a chocolate loaf cake, or triple chocolate brownies.
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