How to Make Chocolate Ganache
for Decorating Cakes

"I show you how in this video tutorial"

The question I get asked most about cake decorating is "how do you get your smooth sharp edges?". The answer is a combination of...

• The consistency of the ganache
• How I use the ganache
• The way I use 2 cake smoothers to get the sharp edge

None of it is difficult when you know how!

In part 1 of this 3 part online tutorial series I give you the chocolate ganache recipes for both dark and white chocolate ganache. I also show you, in the video, how to make chocolate ganache quickly and easily using the microwave. The video shows you the consistency of the ganache.

I use this chocolate ganache on all my cakes underneath the fondant.

Chocolate Ganache Recipe

Ingredients

1 part pure cream (35% fat) -- in the video I use 900ml
2 parts dark chocolate -- in the video I use 2 x 900g
or 3 parts white chocolate -- in the video I use 3 x 900g

How to Make Chocoalte Ganache Method

Watch the video to see my exact technique. These are the steps I go through...

1. Chop the chocolate finely
2. In a microwave-safe bowl combine chocolate and cream and fold the chocolate through the cream until its surfaces areall covered
3. Heat in microwave for 2 minutes. I heat using the microwave on full power, if you are not used to using a microwave use medium heat and take a bit longer
4. Take out of microwave and use a spatula to scrape down the sides and ensure the chocolate isn't sticking. Do not stir and do not use a wooden spoon.
   Agitate the bowl (do not stir at this stage) until the chocolate is under the cream, then let the bowl rest until it is cool to touch
5. Put the bowl into the microwave for another 2 minutes
6. Take bowl out of microwave and mix the cream and chocolate with the spatular
7. When the bowl is cool to touch repeat for another 2 minutes. Then remove and stir again, making sure there are no lumps

Making Ganache Video

Tutorial Parts 2 and 3

• In the 2nd tutorial I show you how I set up the cake using a base board and a very simple tool that gives the smooth edges.

• The 3rd tutorial shows how I use 2 cake smoothers to finish the fondant cake with a sharp edge.

Related Pages

• Alternative White Chocolate Ganache Recipe 

• See my schedule of Cake Decorating Classes

• Cake Decorating Class descriptions are here

• Cake Decorating Ideas