How to flavor Ganache – Ganache flavor variations
One of the fun things about ganache is that you can flavor ganache a million different ways. These simple, easy and effortless recipes to flavor ganache can make a huge difference to the final outcome of your cake. Here are a few ways on how to flavor ganache or rather a few ganache flavor variations that I love and are popular with my customers.
How to flavor ganache many different ways. Ganache Flavor Variations
Most of us Cake Decorators like to frost our cakes with Ganache; it gives you a nice smooth finish and of course those sharp edges. But using the same Ganache over and over again can be boring, right?
Did you know you could add flavor Ganache a million different ways? What is very important to remember though is that Ganache still being chocolate has to be treated very carefully. It’s sensitive to temperature, as well as the amount of liquid you use.
For example – as soon as you add some liquor to your Ganache it may look like it is going to seize but if you continue to mix and incorporate it well, it will eventually smooth out.
How to flavor Ganache aka Ganache Flavor variations
How do you make Chocolate Ganache? (Save/Pin)
Dark Chocolate Ganache, Milk Chocolate Ganache or White Chocolate Ganache. You will find the recipes here – Chocolate Ganache
I have a few videos on how I make my Ganache as well. So be sure to check the basic Chocolate Ganache recipes first.
This here is my dark chocolate ganache cake using my cake decorators chocolate ganache recipe. What’s the difference? Well, mostly the ration of chocolate to cream. The cake decorators ganache works best when you need to cover a cake with ganache. Especially if you need to get sharp edges on cakes with ganache.
How to flavor ganache aka ganache flavor variations
Don’t you just love how smooth this white Chocolate Ganache is?
This one below is a cake decorator white chocolate ganache recipe as compared to the classic white chocolate ganache. See my videos on how to make perfect ganache and everything related to ganache here
How to flavor ganache aka ganache flavor variations
Different Ganache Flavors – Tip Thursday on Facebook (Save/Pin)
These are based on my Single Batch Ganache Recipe. Some additions might need proper whipping and cool the ganache before you use it.
Note about Alcohol — You can add as little as 1 tbsp. to ½ cup alcohol as desired. This is what I prefer. You may need to whip the ganache to bring to consistency.
Espresso Ganache –Dissolve 2 tsp Espresso powderin 2 tsp water and add to existing Batch of Dark Ganache.
Hazelnut Ganache – Add 1 cup Nutella to one batch of Dark Chocolate Ganache .
Coconut Ganache – Add 1/2 tsp Coconut Extract to one batch of Ganache. You can add some toasted coconut flakes for the filling.
Mimosa Ganache – Add ½ tsp Orange Extract 1 tsp orange zest + 1 tsp Champagne Extract to one batch of Ganache.
Pistachio Ganache – Add ½ cup pureed Pistachios + ½ tsp Pistachio extract to one existing batch of Ganache.
Salted Caramel Ganache – Add 1/2 cup caramel + 1 tsp sea salt flakes to your existing batch of ganache. Do not over mix the salt to prevent it from dissolving.
Green Tea Ganache – Dissolve 2 tsp Green Tea powder in 2 tbsp. water – add to Ganache, add ½ tsp Green Tea Extract. (You may need to whip to bring to consistency.)
Grand Orange Ganache – Add ¼ cup Grand Marnier to one batch of white or Dark Ganache
For non alcoholic – just add the Grand Marnier Extract
Irish Cream Ganache – Add 1/4 cup Baileys Irish Cream to one batch of white or Dark Ganache.
For non alcoholic – just add theIrish Cream Extract
Drambuie Ganache – Add ¼ cupDrambuieto one batch of Dark Ganache.
For non alcoholic – just add the Drambuie Extract (this is alcoholic lol)
Don’t forget to save this recipe on Pinterest for later.
You can find a collection of my tutorials and recipes here on Pinterest.
How to flavor Ganache? Ganache flavor Variations
Points to remember
Just a note to remember. Not everybody likes all flavors so unless you are certain that the person is going to love it, keep it simple. The basic ganache recipes are absolutely delicious on their own.
For example – most people love orange or mint flavored chocolate but I hate it. I will not have any orange or mint added to my chocolate. So I would not flavor ganache orange or mint for myself. Know what I mean? When it comes to customers always take into account that they may not appreciate the same taste as you.
How to flavor ganache aka Ganache flavor variations
How to flavor Ganache aka Ganache Flavor variations
Ingredients
One Batch each of Ganache for the Variations
- 500 grams Cake Decorators White Chocolate ganache
- 500 grams Cake Decorators Dark Chocolate ganache
- 500 grams Cake Decorators Milk Chocolate ganache
Additional flavors
- 1 cup Nutella
- 1/2 cup pistachio puree
- 1/4 tsp extracts
- 142 cup Liquors - Baileys, Drambuie, Grand Marnier,
- 2 tsp Green tea powder
- 2 tsp Espresso powder
- 1/2 cup Caramel
Instructions
Espresso ganache
- Dissolve 2 tsp espresso powder in 2 tsp water and add.
2 tsp is about right for every 4 cups ganache
Hazelnut ganache
- Add 1 cup Nutella to (every 4 cups ganache)
Coconut ganache
- Add 1/2 tsp coconut extract to one batch of Ganache.
You can add some toasted coconut flakes for the filling.
For coconut ganache from scratch - substitute coconut cream for whipped cream when making ganache and add extract.
Mimosa ganache
- Add ½ tsp Orange Extract 1 tsp orange zest + 1 tsp champagne extract to one batch of Ganache.
Pistachio ganache
- Add ½ cup pureed Pistachios + ½ tsp Pistachio extract to one existing batch of Ganache.
Salted caramel ganache
- Add 1 cup caramel + 1 tsp sea salt flakes to your existing batch of ganache.
Do not over mix the salt to prevent it from dissolving.
Green tea ganache
- Dissolve 2 tsp Green Tea powder in 2 tbsp. water – add to Ganache, add ½ tsp green tea Extract. (You may need to whip to bring to consistency.)
Grand orange ganache
- Add ¼ cup Grand Marnier to one batch of white or Dark Ganache
For non-alcoholic - just add the Grand Marnier Extract
Irish cream ganache
- Add ½ cup Baileys Irish Cream to one batch of white or Dark Ganache.
For non-alcoholic - just add the Irish Cream Extract.
Drambuie ganache
- Add ¼ cup Drambuie to one batch of Dark Ganache.
For non-alcoholic - just add the Drambuie Extract (this is alcoholic lol)
Nutrition Information
Are you a cake decorator? A Cake enthusiast? I have lots more recipes and tutorials you may like to explore.
View a collection of my Cake cupcake, cookies, toppers, sugar flowers? – Click here.
Learn to make many different flavors of buttercream from one basic recipe – Click here
Thanks so much for sharing new flavor options with ganache! Are all of these options safe at room temp for 3-4 days (with or without fondant finish)?
Hey Michelle. Most of them on this list probably will in good wheather. Usually if you have fresh fruit or dairy you may want to be careful in hot humid climate but this list for me is quite safe.
Hi! Any tips on how to flavor ganache with peanuts? I am thinking of making peanut paste/butter 🙂
Yes!! Peanut butter would be a great addition to ganache !! <3
Should I just add it the same way as pistachio paste?
Thank you for the reply!
yes that would work – I usually add a little ganache to the paste so it blends without any lumps. Than add it to the rest of the ganache.
Ah, that is a great tip! Thank you 🙂
You are welcome Paola
hi. I love your recipes. Can i please have your advise. To make a white chic raspberry ganache, would you use fresh raspberries or essence
Hey Tiffany. Sorry for the late reply. Yes you can use raspberry in your ganache!! Works really well. You can also enhance the flavor with an extract!!
Hi Veena,
Simply loved to read the flavours and variations for ganache ! Could you guide me for making whipped mango ganache ? Do we use mango extract or can we use mango purée, not sure if that would spoil the ganache?
Kavya, for mango ganache you will have to use white chocolate then fold in the mango puree and and add extract. If you pay attention to the temperature then it won’t split or spoil.
Hi Veena, which is the best filling and frosting that will compliment an orange chiffon cake ?
Radhika there is a lot that can go with orange. you can use orange buttercream, Cream cheese frosting, orange also pairs with chocolate very well both dark and white chocolate. Orange and Pineapple are wonderful together too!
Oh my – I was wondering what to do with my ganache and now you have spoiled me for choice. I love all these options. I am going to save this for later and try a few. Thank you for sharing these.
Thank you Mary. Happy to hear you found these variations on ganache useful. Let me know how you enjoyed them,
Hi Veena… Where I live, we get Amul Fresh Cream with 25% fat and Amul Whipped Cream with 30% pure milk fat. Can I use the Amul whipped cream for ganache?
There is absolutely no chance of getting any other heavy cream. Your thoughts please.
Thanks,
Preema
Yes the 30% Amul should work
Hi Veena, thanks for this very helpful information! 🙂 I was just wondering, to add variations such as Green Tea for example, would it be better to have a base ganache made of dark/ milk chocolate or white chocolate?
Thank you 🙂
I would say white chocolate ganache.. Also do make a taste test to see if it’s something you like.And always start with less, you can always add more.
I would use a green tea powder that you can find in stores now adays <3
Yay! Thank you so much for your reply. Will try it out as you suggested 🙂
Which kind of filling is used to cover cake wit fondants? We can use only ganche or and thing elsr? Even wnat to ask can we make vegetarian royal icing?
I personally like to fill the cake with Buttercream or Flavored Ganache then frost them with regular Ganache.
but you could use Flavored Ganache all the way too <3
Hi Veena. Gonna try this when am making my niece’s cake. Thanks
Hi Veena, i am learning a lot from ur posts, Can you share a delicious caramel icing for my caramel cake? Tnx.
Hi Veena, how you have rich rum fruit cake recipe to share?
Hi Veena, can I put white ganache under fondant for a White Cake with Strawberry filling or Mango Mousse, how can I make a dam, with buttercream? Thanks!
I have a video on you tube that shows how to make a dam with buttercream. Please see my channel veenaazmanov
Hi thanks for the prompt reply…just waiting for all d ingredients to start with.I am not getting cmc and vegetable shortening or meringue here. I read almost all d comments to find d solution.I got to know dat meringue can b omitted. But Wat do I replace cmc and shortening with?I m from Mumbai..so can I use replace shortening by butter or dalda.if yes den wats d qty.also I had a big question as in wen to use fondant n wen to use gum paste since I read dat gum paste is not to b eaten den wen shld dat b used for cake decoration
Yes you can replace veg shortening with butter or dalda. Same amount.
Fondant is used to cover cakes while gum paste is used to make flowers and decorations that need to go hard.
Very nice i learned a lot bout fondant i didn’t know.