Agave Chocolate Ganache Frosting Recipes

GANACHE FROSTING

Steps:

• Place the chopped chocolate into the bowl of a food processor.
• Heat the heavy cream in a quart-sized, microwavable container and microwave for 3 to 4 minutes on high, or until it just begins to simmer; be careful not to allow cream to boil over. Pour the cream over the chocolate and let stand for 2 minutes. Process by pulsing several times until chocolate mixture is smooth. Use as is for glazing. If you wish to make a lighter frosting, allow it to come to room temperature, approximately 2 hours. Once at room temperature, place in the bowl of a stand mixer and whisk on high for 2 to 3 minutes.

VEGAN CHOCOLATE GANACHE FROSTING

Steps:

• Combine the chocolate, agave nectar, and creamer in a saucepan. Heat over medium heat until the chocolate melts, stirring constantly. Remove from the heat and stir in the butter substitute and vanilla extract. To spread easily, the ganache should be slightly warm, and the consistency of hot fudge.

CHOCOLATE GANACHE CAKE

Steps:

• Preheat the oven to 325 degrees. Butter and flour an 8-inch round cake pan, then line the bottom with parchment paper.
• Cream the butter and sugar in the bowl of an electric mixer fitted with the paddle attachment until light and fluffy. Add the eggs, one at a time. Mix in the chocolate syrup and vanilla. Add the flour and mix until just combined. Don't overbeat, or the cake will be tough.
• Pour the batter into the pan and bake for 40 to 45 minutes, or until just set in the middle. Don't overbake! Let cool thoroughly in the pan.
• For the ganache, cook the heavy cream, chocolate chips, and instant coffee in the top of a double boiler over simmering water until smooth and warm, stirring occasionally.
• Place the cake upside down on a wire rack and pour the glaze evenly over the top, making sure to cover the entire cake and sides. You can tilt the rack to smooth the glaze. Decorate with candied violets, if desired, or gently crumble the gold leaf and place it on the center of the cake. Do not refrigerate.

CHOCOLATE GANACHE FROSTING

Steps:

• Process chocolate in food processor until very fine. Put it in a small heavy saucepan.
• Heat cream to boiling point and pour 3/4 of it over the chocolate. Cover for 5 minutes to allow it to melt. Gently stir together, trying not to create air bubbles. Pass through fine strainer and add Cognac. Cool till just tepid.
• Check consistency: when tepid, the glaze should mound a bit before disappearing. If it is too thick, or seems curdled, add more of the warm cream little by little. If too thin, add some melted chocolate. When right, use at once or store and reheat.
• Pour over cooled cake allowing excess to flow down the sides. If you want a double coat, refrigerate the cake after the first later, for about 20 mins or until firm. Apply a second coat -- but don't refrigerate after second coat or you'll lose that glossiness.

CHOCOLATE GANACHE FROSTING

Steps:

• Place chocolate in a large heatproof bowl. Bring cream and corn syrup just to a simmer over medium-high heat; pour mixture over chocolate. Let stand, without stirring, until chocolate begins to melt.
• Beginning near the center and working outward, stir melted chocolate into cream until mixture is combined and smooth (do not overstir).
• Refrigerate, stirring every 5 minutes, until frosting just barely begins to hold its shape and is slightly lighter in color. Use immediately (ganache will continue to thicken after you stop stirring).

CHOCOLATE GANACHE

Steps:

• Place the chocolate into a medium bowl. Heat the cream in a small sauce pan over medium heat. Bring just to a boil, watching very carefully because if it boils for a few seconds, it will boil out of the pot. When the cream has come to a boil, pour over the chopped chocolate, and whisk until smooth. Stir in the rum if desired.
• Allow the ganache to cool slightly before pouring over a cake. Start at the center of the cake and work outward. For a fluffy frosting or chocolate filling, allow it to cool until thick, then whip with a whisk until light and fluffy.

CHOCOLATE GANACHE FROSTING FOR FUDGY DEVIL'S FOOD CAKE

Steps:

• Combine chocolate and corn syrup in a large heatproof bowl. Bring cream just to a simmer over medium-high heat; pour over chocolate mixture. Let stand, without stirring, until chocolate begins to melt.
• Beginning near the center and working outward, whisk melted chocolate into cream until mixture is combined and smooth. Continue to whisk until frosting just barely begins to hold its shape and is slightly lighter in color. Use immediately (frosting will continue to thicken after whisking).

WHIPPED CHOCOLATE GANACHE FILLING (OR FROSTING)

Steps:

• Place chopped chocolate in a medium-sized bowl.
• Heat heavy cream and sugar (if using) in a large heavy saucepan over med-hi heat until it simmers gently.
• Immediately pour the hot cream over the chocolate and stir gently until the chocolate is mostly melted.
• Let stand for 15mins to be sure all chocolate is melted.
• Stir ganache gently until perfectly smooth, let cool.
• Cover and chill for at least 6 hours, preferably overnight (it must be very cold or it will curdle when it's whipped; ganache can be made up to 4 days ahead).
• When you're ready to assemble the cake (and NOT before), whip ganache until it's stiff enough to hold a nice shape and seems spreadable (Don't overwhip; overwhipped ganache looks granular, so watch carefully).
• Spread whipped ganache immediately, as it will firm as it sits.
• NOTE: if using 50-60% bittersweet chocolate, use 8 oz of chocolate and omit the sugar; if using 60-64% chocolate, use 7 oz of chocolate and omit sugar; if using 66-72% chocolate, use 6 oz and add the optional sugar to give the ganache a bit of'lift'.
• If you're just using this as a filling, halve the recipe.
• If you're glazing the cake with a chocolate glaze, chill the filled cake for at least 1 hour (up to 2 days) before glazing.