Chocolate ganache is one of those divine creations that seems to have been brought to earth purely to make our lives sweeter. Its rich, velvety texture and deep chocolate flavor can transform any dessert from ordinary to extraordinary. But have you ever wondered why this heavenly concoction was created in the first place? Let's dive into a bit of its delicious history before we get to the ridiculously effortless way to make it yourself.
Ganache, in its most basic form, is a mixture of chocolate and cream. The story goes that it was invented by accident in France when a chocolatier's apprentice mistakenly poured hot cream over some chocolate. The chocolatier, furious at the time, called the apprentice a "ganache" (which was an insult meaning fool or imbecile in French). However, upon tasting the mixture, they quickly realized that this "mistake" was a delightful discovery. It didn't take long for ganache to become a staple in the world of pastry and desserts. It's extremely versatile, used as a glaze, filling, sauce, or frosting, depending on its consistency.
Now how do you create this luscious treat at home? You'll be pleased to know it requires just two ingredients: chocolate and heavy cream. The ratio of chocolate to cream will determine how hard or soft it becomes when fully set. I like to use a 40% heavy cream for my ganache. Most supermarkets will carry 36% heavy cream. You can also use semi-sweet, dark chocolate or white chocolate for making ganache.
You can use ganache as a filling in cakes, truffles or even to ice a cake. If you want a thinner ganache for glazing cakes or pastries, use it at once. For a thicker consistency, perfect for truffles or frosting, let it cool and set. It is particularly delicious whipped with Swiss meringue buttercream for the filling in a cake or the icing on a cupcake.
Whether you're looking to impress guests, treat yourself, or simply experiment with your baking, ganache is a fantastic starting point. Its rich history and simplicity are a testament to the fact that sometimes, the best things in life are the most straightforward. So, go ahead, try it, and let the magic of chocolate and cream whisk you away to dessert heaven.
Get our full chocolate ganache recipe here or watch the video below for visual instructions.
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