Thin Dark Chocolate Ganache Icing

Aug 4, 2026 · By VanillaGoods

Baking Frostings fillings toppings Origin: Ugandan Vanilla: Extract Easy

Cake coated in glossy thin dark chocolate ganache icing

A pourable thin dark chocolate ganache icing for a smooth, glossy finish. Best with Ugandan vanilla (bold, chocolatey, smoky); any pure vanilla works. Makes about 1 1/2 cups; covers an 8-inch cake or 24 petit fours.

Prep 10 min

Cook 10 min

Cool 15 min

Total 35 min

Servings 12

Diet —

Ingredients

Adjust yield

servings

4.0 oz (113.0 g)dark chocolate, finely chopped
½ cup (120.0 ml)heavy cream
½ tsp (2.5 ml)VanillaGoods pure vanilla extract

Make it at home

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Instructions

Put the chocolate in a heatproof bowl. Heat the cream until it just simmers, pour it over, and let stand for 3 minutes.
Add the vanilla and stir gently from the center out until smooth and glossy.
Cool until slightly thickened but still pourable, 10 to 15 minutes (about 90°F), then pour over the cake and let it run down the sides.

Tips

Vanilla swap: use vanilla bean paste 1:1 in place of the extract for visible specks, or the seeds of 1 vanilla bean for each tablespoon of extract.
Best vanilla for this: Ugandan (bold, chocolatey, smoky), or Mexican (spiced, warm, woodsy). Any pure vanilla works.
Storage: Refrigerate iced cakes for up to 4 days; let stand 30 minutes before serving.

Recipe FAQ

How long does it take to make thin dark chocolate ganache icing?

Plan on 10 minutes of prep and 10 minutes of cooking, plus 15 minutes to cool. It makes about 1 1/2 cups; covers an 8-inch cake or 24 petit fours.

How should I store thin dark chocolate ganache icing?

Refrigerate iced cakes for up to 4 days; let stand 30 minutes before serving.

Can I use a different form of vanilla?

use vanilla bean paste 1:1 in place of the extract for visible specks, or the seeds of 1 vanilla bean for each tablespoon of extract.

Estimated · per serving

Nutrition

Per serving = 1 of 12 servings this recipe makes.

86 Calories / serving

6.5g Fat

6.0g Carbs

0.7g Protein

4.8g Sugar

Whole recipe (12 servings): ~1032 cal · 78g fat · 72g carbs · 8g protein · 58g sugar

Estimated values per serving, calculated from standard ingredient data. Not verified Nutrition Facts; actual values vary with brands, measurements, and preparation.

Per serving · 86 calories

What it takes to burn one serving

Brisk walking 16 min·0.9 mi·~1850 steps
Walking uphill or incline treadmill 12 min·0.6 mi·~1200 steps
Moderate cycling 9 min·1.8 mi
Swimming laps 12 min
Jogging 8 min·0.7 mi·~1300 steps
Stair climbing 8 min·~700 steps
Dancing 14 min
Bodyweight circuit training 9 min
Cleaning, errands, or playing with the dog 20 min

Rough estimates for one serving, based on standard MET values at about 155 lb. Your own burn depends on body size, effort, and fitness. Shown for context only — food is not something you have to earn.

Made with VanillaGoods

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