4
Makes
1 cup
Dark-chocolate ganache. (Photo, John Cullen.)
Ganache is a thick French chocolate sauce that's also used as a glaze, icing and pastry filling.
Chocolate is very easy to chop using a serrated knife.
Dessert fondue: Heat ganache or any variation in microwave or double boiler. Serve with fresh berries, pineapple cubes and marshmallows, for dipping.
Mexican hot chocolate: Stir 5 tbsp ganache and a pinch of cayenne pepper into 1 cup hot milk. Top with whipped cream.
Easy icing: Spread room-temperature sauce over cheesecake, brownies or cake.
Chocolate truffles: Double the amount of chocolate in original recipe (450 g total). After adding cream, return to pot and stir over medium until chocolate is completely melted. Refrigerate until firm. Scoop and roll into 1-in. balls. Refrigerate until firm. Roll into toasted coconut or a mix of equal parts cocoa powder and sifted icing sugar.
Spiked Mocha: Stir 1/3 cup coffee liqueur into finished sauce.
Peanut-Butter Swirl: Stir 1/3 cup smooth peanut butter at room temperature into finished sauce.
White Chocolate & Lemon: Use 336 g white chocolate in place of 225 g dark chocolate. Stir 1/2 tsp lemon zest into finished sauce.
Toffee Crunch: Stir 1 1/4 cups toffee bits into finished sauce.
