Vegan Chocolate Ganache is a rich, creamy chocolate treat that feels like a bite of pure luxury!
Versatility is the name of this recipe’s game! Vegan Chocolate Ganache is a simple, indulgent option for those seeking a chocolate ganache and needing to accommodate various dietary needs. It is egg-free, dairy-free, and even soy-free, in addition to being beautifully vegan, so everyone can enjoy this wonderful, smooth ganache.
The first time I made ganache was in a microwave, which probably is not the way to go, to be honest. I overheated it, burned my fingertips, dropped the bowl, and spilled hot milk on my legs. Luckily, the bowl didn’t break. Now, I’m much more careful about making ganache using a saucepan to carefully heat up my milk before mixing it with the chocolate, though I have been known to on occasion use the microwave if I’m feeling particularly lazy. I just remember to put on some oven mitts!
I’m a devotee of all things chocolate, especially dark chocolate, and of all the chocolatey goods I’ve experimented with, ganache is my favorite. It’s sweet and sensual; it drapes over whatever it’s poured on and envelops it with a surface that becomes shiny and stunning to present to guests. Cutting a slice of cake topped with ganache and seeing your guests’ smiles reflected on that perfect surface is absolutely delightful.
Coconut Milk, the Perfect Choice
Although this recipe is fantastic with any type of plant-based milk, I love using coconut milk. Coconut milk is a great choice since it contains high amounts of copper and manganese. It also comes with a distinctive flavor that will enrich any chocolate it gets mixed with. Although you can taste the coconut flavor, the chocolate in the recipe has a bolder taste. Not only is the flavor enhanced, but it also provides that wonderfully luxurious texture. You can’t even tell it isn’t a traditional ganache. The only difference of significance I would point out is that it can take longer to set than a non-vegan, dairy ganache, so it may need longer in the fridge before it’s ready to be served, up to several hours.
FAQs & Tips
How to Make Ahead and Store?
Keep your ganache in an airtight container in the fridge for up to several days if you’d like to make it ahead of time for whatever delicious dessert requires it. Once you’re ready, you may need to warm it up slightly by letting it sit on your counter for approximately 20 minutes and fluff it up in a mixer or with a fork or whisk before applying it. If you want it to last longer, you can also freeze it for up to 3 months.
Full-Fat Flavor and Milk
While I personally love coconut milk, you can use other plant-based milk substitutions for this recipe with ease! My go-to is almond milk in most recipes, but oat milk, soy milk, or any other option you might prefer are also good options. If using coconut milk, be sure to use full-fat coconut milk, the kind you can get from a tin. The full-fat option is, in my opinion, why coconut milk makes for the best choice in comparison to other non-dairy milk alternatives. The full fat will give you the smooth, thick texture that ganache is known for. When cooking with your coconut milk though, be cautious. You don’t want the milk to end up curdling. Avoid boiling it, as this will negatively affect your ganache texture.
Zest or Not to Zest?
Dark chocolate is my one true love, and it’s my recommendation for this recipe! Get yourself some high-quality vegan dark chocolate for the best possible taste. You can also get fancy and throw in some additions; orange or lemon zest, vanilla extract, and peppermint oil all make for delicious variations.
Serving Suggestions
Ganache is great, but it needs to go on something! A cake, cookie, or cupcake will be your best bet. Check out this Eggless Cake that can be vegan, or try a Chocolate Cupcake or Coconut Cupcakes, which you can modify to be vegan. If you go with a cake option, top it off with some Vegan Whipped Cream! If you want a special extra touch and you used a variant like peppermint oil or citrus zest, you can also use some zest sprinkled on top of the whipped cream or a little mint leaf on top. If you didn’t, a dash of grated chocolate looks fancy and will always match your flavors.
Vegan Chocolate Ganache
Ingredients Â
- 8 oz semi-sweet chocolate chopped
- 1 cup unsweetened almond milk or any other plant-based milk
InstructionsÂ
- In a small saucepan, gently heat the plant-based milk over medium heat until it’s hot but not boiling.
- Place the chopped chocolate in a heat-resistant bowl.
- Pour the hot milk over the chocolate and let it sit for 2-3 minutes to allow the chocolate to melt.
- Stir the mixture with a whisk or spatula until smooth and well combined.
- If the chocolate hasn’t fully melted, place the bowl over a pot of simmering water (double boiler) and stir until smooth.
- Use the ganache immediately for a thin glaze or let it cool to room temperature for a thicker frosting consistency.
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