Dark Chocolate Ganache

Dark Chocolate Ganache is a versatile basic in the sweet kitchen and can work in a low FODMAP diet, if you pay attention to portion control.

Low FODMAP Serving Size Info: Makes about 2 1/2 cups (600 ml); serving size 2 tablespoons

Course: Basic, Dessert

Cuisine: American, French

Prep Time: 10 minutes

Cook Time: 5 minutes

Total Time: 15 minutes

Makes: 20 servings

Calories: 131 kcal

Author: Dédé Wilson

1 1/4 cups (300 ml) heavy cream, plus extra
12- ounces (340 g) semisweet chocolate, finely chopped, preferably 50% to 55 cacao mass

Place cream in a medium-size non-reactive saucepan and bring just to a boil over medium heat.
Remove from heat and immediately sprinkle chocolate into cream. Cover and allow to sit for 5 minutes; the heat of the cream will melt the chocolate. Gently stir the ganache until smooth. You may also combine the ingredients in a microwave-safe bowl and heat at 50% power until chocolate is about three-quarters melted. Remove from the microwave and stir gently until chocolate is melted and mixture is combined and smooth.
The ganache is now ready to use. Use in its liquid state as a glaze, poured over cakes or as a simple sauce for ice cream. It also makes a fine chocolate fondue. Or, allow to sit at room temperature for a few hours until it thickens slightly when it will be perfect for dipping cupcakes for a smooth look; see Spider Web Cupcakes. After several hours or overnight it will reach a spreadable consistency (between mayonnaise and peanut butter) and you can use it to frost cakes, cupcakes and bars.
Refrigerate up to 1 week in an airtight container or freeze up to 1 month. You may re-warm ganache to its fluid state on low power in microwave or over very low heat in a heavy saucepan.

Make sure that your chocolate is finely chopped so that it melts readily with the hot cream. If the chocolate does not completely melt, place saucepan over very low heat, stirring often until chocolate is melted, taking care not to scorch.
Your choice of chocolate will literally make or break this recipe. Chocolates with a high cocoa percentage will leave you with a “broken” product; this is the actual technical term. We don’t recommend anything higher than 55% for this chocolate ganache recipe. The mixture will refuse to come together into a smooth mass. It might look curdled and/or the cocoa butter will separate, float to the top and create an oily film. If this happens you can attempt to resuscitate it by whisking in some extra cold cream and/or buzzing it with an immersion blender. It should come together. It is simply a matter of chocolate/cream proportions, so don’t give up.
When stirring the ganache, do so very gently. You are aiming to combine the ingredients but you do not want to whip air into the ganache. We use a rubber spatula, sometimes a whisk, but never a whisking action, which would aerate the ganache.

Nutrition Facts

Dark Chocolate Ganache

Amount Per Serving

Calories 131 Calories from Fat 63

% Daily Value*

Fat 7g11%

Carbohydrates 11g4%

Fiber 1g4%

Sugar 8g9%

Protein 1g2%

* Percent Daily Values are based on a 2000 calorie diet.