Oh My Gosh, GANACHE!

Do you ever just need a quick chocolate fix, but you don't have the time to actually bake something?  I've been known to rummage through the pantry looking for something chocolate, anything chocolate...just a taste.  (And please don't grab the unsweetened chocolate-ick!)  Oftentimes, the only thing I find is chocolate chips.  That'll do!!

A few years ago I discovered ganache.  Sounds fancy, right?  It is sooooo easy to make and really fits the bill for those late night chocolate cravings.  All you need is chocolate and heavy whipping cream.  I usually try to keep a pint of whipping cream in the fridge...it lasts up to a month.

I'm always looking for a new cake to make on Birthdays.  My son is a chocoholic like myself, so I found this delightful one Chocolate Cake with Fleur del Sel Caramel filling on bon appetit's website.  My mouth is watering as I remember what that first bite was like...heavenly!  I took one shortcut, and made the caramel filling with Kraft caramels and a little evaporated milk.  I might've added too much milk, because before the icing had a chance to set up, the cake layers started sliding...and after going through that much trouble, you don't want an earthquake cake!  So, I'd recommend placing long wooden skewers through the layers to hold it all together until ganache sets.

Ganache can be used as an icing for cakes, cupcakes, tarts, cheesecake toppings, etc.  It's delectable as a warm chocolate dip for fruit.  The nice thing too about ganache, is that you can decide how sweet you want it.  I used Ghirardelli's 60% chocolate baking chips, but you can also purchase the 70% chocolate bars, etc.  The fruit adds the sweetness, so I find that the 60-70% chocolate works great!  So, if you're watching your sugar levels, ganache is a great option.

 For my quick snack, I used 1/2 bag of chocolate chips and 2/3 cup of Heavy Whipping Cream.  Put chips in bowl and microwave cream until very hot.  Then pour over chips.

Let sit for a few minutes,
then stir, until all the chips are melted. Waaalaaa...you have ganache!!!!

 It's yummy served warm as a dip with raspberries!
Your Valentine will love it!!! It's also delicious on ice cream!

If you don't eat all of it in one sitting...Ha!...then you can store what is leftover in your fridge.  It'll set up like it would for an icing, but still spoonable!!!  You can also microwave it to get it soft again.

Enjoy!!

Join me at the Friday Flair Link party! and Hodge Podge Friday