How to Make the Perfect Chocolate Ganache

Today is world chocolate day! Of course we have a global day to celebrate the delicious cocoa based goodness. From Willy Wonka's chocolate river to heart-shaped boxes filled with filled chocolates, chocolate permeates western culture. It's pretty obvious we're slightly obsessed with the sweet stuff.

Going back to that chocolate river (yum), we've all admired the silky, shiny, chocolate layer covering a scrumptious cake. We're of course talking about ganache! Our flavour wiz and founder Christina has all the tips you need to make the perfect chocolate ganache at home. 

Get some quality chocolate

The first thing you'll need is quality dark chocolate (at least 70% cocoa). This will give you a luxurious ganache with a beautiful chocolate flavour and a creamy finish. We love making soft ganache fillings here at Punk Cake and they are made with a creme anglaise base (you can also use custard instead).

The Chocolate Ganache Recipe

The recipe s very simple, but you need to be very attentive when making it. For an extra glossy ganache it is best to invest in a stick blender to ensure you have a beautifully emulsified mixture. The recipe goes like this:

Milk 250grams

Double cream 250grams

Caster sugar :200 grams

Egg yolks :5 egg yolks

Maldon sea salt: a pinch

Dark quality chocolate (70% minimum solids) : 300 grams

The Method

Place milk cream and salt in a pan over medium heat and bring close to boiling point. In the meantime mix the egg yolk with the caster sugar in a bowl. Add the hot milk mix to the the yolk mix in intervals, stirring well in between. Place the whole mix back in the pan over low heat and gently cook whilst stirring gently with a spatula, until it thickens or until it reaches 82C.

Remove from the heat and add the chocolate in one go. Leave to rest for 4 minutes and then stir heartily until a smooth and glossy mix is obtained. For that extra gloss and creaminess give it a whizz with a stick blender and get ready for the glossiest, creamiest ganache you've ever had. 

Cover your ganache with cling film and chill until set. Eat by the spoon or create your own desserts by mixing it with strawberries or whipped cream for a quick chocolate mousse.

We’ve collected our favourite choccy filled Punk Cake creations in one place. Take a look.