Heavenly Chocolate Ganache Recipes

HEAVENLY CHOCOLATE GANACHE

Steps:

• Scald cream, pour over chocolate.
• Let sit 1-2 minutes, stir gently until chocolate is melted and glossy.

HOW TO MAKE CHOCOLATE GANACHE

Steps:

• Place chopped chocolate in a medium heat-proof bowl. Heat the cream in a small saucepan over medium heat until it begins to gently simmer. (Do not let it come to a rapid boil- that's too hot!) Pour over chocolate, then let it sit for 2-3 minutes to gently soften the chocolate.
• With a metal spoon or small rubber spatula, very slowly stir until completely combined and chocolate has melted. The finer you chopped the chocolate, the quicker it will melt with the cream. If it's not melting, do not microwave it. See Troubleshooting Chocolate Ganache in blog post above.
• Ganache can be ready to use as a drizzle or you can let it sit at room temperature to cool and thicken. It will fully cool within 2 hours. Refrigerating speeds this up, but the ganache will not cool evenly. Stir it a few times as it sets in the refrigerator so it remains even and smooth.
• Once completely cool and thick, the ganache can be piped with a piping tip or scooped with a spoon. You can also beat the cooled thickened ganache with a handheld or stand mixer fitted with a whisk attachment until light in color and texture, about 4 minutes on medium-high speed.
• Cover tightly and store ganache in the refrigerator for up to 5 days. Once ganache cools completely, you can cover it tightly and freeze it for up to 3 months. Thaw in the refrigerator. To rewarm or thin out again, stir constantly over low heat on the stove in either (1) a double boiler or (2) in a heatproof bowl placed over a pot of simmering water. Don't let the bottom of the bowl touch the simmering water.

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.

HEAVENLY CHOCOLATE CAKE

Steps:

• Preheat oven to 350 degrees F.
• For Chocolate Cake: Mix granulated sugar, sour cream, whole milk, instant espresso, vegetable oil, whole eggs and vanilla extract in a standing mixer on low speed for approximately 2 minutes or until combined. Scrape the bowl and add the flour, cocoa powder, baking soda, baking powder and kosher salt. Mix another 2 to 3 minutes until cake batter is smooth. Pour into sprayed and parchment lined 10-inch cake pan. Bake for 20 minutes or until toothpick inserted in the center of the cake comes out clean. Set aside to cool.
• For Chocolate Mousse: Melt chocolate and set aside (keep warm). In a separate dish add powdered gelatin to cold water, set aside. Whisk together milk and egg yolks in a saucepan. Put on a medium flame and cook until 165 degrees F. Be careful not to over cook and curdle the mixture. Pour egg-milk mixture through a strainer into the melted chocolate. Melt the gelatin and water. Add to the chocolate mixture and stir until combined. Let chocolate mixture cool to room temperature. Whip the heavy cream to soft peaks and fold into the chocolate mixture.
• For the Ganache: In a saucepot combine heavy cream, sugar and unsalted butter. Bring to a boil. Take off flame. Add chopped chocolate to boiled cream let sit for 1 minute then stir until combined. Over-mixing will cause bubbles in the ganache. Only stir until chocolate is incorporated. Set aside.
• For Chocolate Buttercream: In a saucepan combine granulated sugar and just enough water to moisten the sugar. Bring to a boil, washing down the sides as you go with a brush dipped in water. Bring to 240 degrees F. As sugar is cooking, begin whipping the egg whites in a mixer on medium speed.. Increase speed, as sugar gets closer to a soft peak. Mix the unsalted butter, shortening and salt together. When sugar reaches temperature pour into whipping egg whites. Continue to whip on high speed until the mixing bowl is just warm to the touch. Quickly add the unsalted butter, shortening and salt. Continue to whip for 5 minutes or until buttercream comes together and is smooth. Add melted chocolate and cocoa powder. Whip until combined. Set aside.
• For Assembly: Slice 10-inch cake horizontally into 2 even pieces. Place first layer of cake in a plastic wrap lined 10-inch cake pan. Spread a thin layer of raspberry marmalade on top of the cake. Spread a thin layer of chocolate ganache on the raspberry marmalade. Spread a 2 1/2-inch thick layer of chocolate mousse on top of the ganache. Top with the second layer of chocolate cake and refrigerate for 1 hour. Remove the cake from the refrigerator and spread a layer of chocolate butter cream on top of the cake. Spread a layer of chocolate ganache on top. Put the cake in the freezer for 1 hour or longer. Remove from the freezer and gently pull cake out of the pan by pulling on the plastic wrap. Keep refrigerated until served.