Chocolate Sauce

Serves: 3

Clair Leannon

1 January 1970

Based on User reviews:

47

Spice

45

Sweetness

40

Sourness

38

mins

Prep time (avg)

4.7

Difficulty

Ingredients:

1 cup

Sugar

1 cup

Water

1 cup

Heavy Cream

Directions:

1

Make a simple syrup by combining the sugar and water in a small saucepan over high heat

2

Stir to moisten the sugar and insert a thermometer

3

Cook until the temperature reaches 220 degrees F, about 5 minutes

4

Immediately remove from the heat and allow to cool

5

Follow the method for Master Ganache, adding the cream fraiche to the cream before bring the cream to a boil

6

Add the Tia Maria and simple syrup and stir for 1 one minute, or until smooth and thoroughly combined

7

Cover the sauce and keep it warm near the stove until it is served

8

Can deep, dark, intense, rich, velvety smooth chocolate be a spiritual experience? It certainly is heavenly when mixed with cream

9

Praise the pastry angels and pass the bonbons! This is the basic ganache recipe

10

Use it for truffles, tarts, fillings, you name it

11

Follow the same technique when adjusting the recipe for firm and soft ganache

12

An alternative food processor method is given, which can be applied to any ganache recipe in this chapter

13

My desire is not only to introduce you to ganache but also to make it a staple in your refrigerator

14

As long as you don't eat it all as a midnight snack, it can be available to help you throw together dessert at a moment's notice

15

Using a serrated knife, finely chop the chocolate into 1/4-inch pieces

16

Don't be lazy here

17

Big chunks will not melt

18

Traditional method: Place the chocolate in a medium heatproof bowl

19

Bring the cream to a boil in a small saucepan over medium heat

20

Boiling means the cream will actually rise up in the pan and threaten to boil over

21

Immediately pour the boiling cream over the chopped chocolate

22

Tap the bowl on the counter to settle the chocolate into the cream, then let it sit for 1 minute

23

Using a rubber spatula, slowly stir in a circular motion, starting from the center of the bowl, and working out to the sides

24

Be careful not to add too much air to the ganache

25

Stir until all the chocolate is melted, about 2 minutes

26

It may look done after 1 minute of stirring, but keep going to be sure it's emulsified

27

Food processor method: Place the chopped chocolate in a food processor fitted with the steel blade

28

Bring the cream to a boil in a small saucepan over medium heat (or bring to a boil in the microwave

29

) Immediately pour the hot cream into the food processor, on top of the chocolate

30

Let sit for 1 minute, then pulse the machine 3 times

31

Scrape down the sides with a rubber spatula and pulse 3 more times, until all the chocolate is melted

32

This smooth, silky chocolate is now ganache

33

Transfer the ganache to a bowl

34

Let the ganache sit at room temperature until it cools to 70 degrees F

35

In a 65 degree F room, this will take approximately 4 hours or 2 hours in the refrigerator

36

You can speed up the process by pouring the ganache out onto a clean baking sheet (thinner layers cool faster

37

) Once the ganache reaches 70 degrees F, it is ready to be used

38

At this point it can be covered and stored in the refrigerator for up to 2 weeks

39

Yield: 2 cups Prep Time: 5 minutes Cook Time: 10 minutes Inactive Prep Time: 2 to 4 hours Ease of preparation: Easy