Last Updated on August 3, 2022
“Can ganache be frozen?” is one of the questions we are asked most. And the short answer is yes! But, there are some restrictions involved.
In today’s jam-packed article, we will explore exactly when and how chocolate ganache should be frozen and the key mistakes to avoid when doing so. We’ve also created a guide for thawing ganache!
What Is Ganache?
Ganache is one of our all-time favorite ingredients used for cakes, pastries, and confections. This wonderful glaze is made using a combination of melted chocolate and cream. It has a wide variety of consistencies that makes it suitable as a sauce, filling, icing, or glaze (which is the most common).
Ganaches aren’t one specific flavor. Traditionally, they have to be made with chocolate – real chocolate! It can either be made with white, milk, semi-sweet, or dark chocolate. You can add extracts to help add a little bit of complexity to the flavor profile.
Today, however, you get many fake ganache recipes that are made using candy melts or melting chocolate. These are all types of chocolate-flavored candies. Sure, they can make a similar type of glaze, but it doesn’t come close to the real thing!
For baking cakes, ganache is mostly used to coat the entire cake. But, you can also incorporate it into frosting recipes to create a delicious decadent filling.
When a ganache is made, it is still semi-warm when it is poured over the items. This helps make it pliable which makes it suited for creating silky smooth coatings.
As the ganache cools, it starts firming up and setting in place. Some recipes will give you a sticky set ganache consistency while others will become rock hard.
How is ganache usually stored?
If you are lucky enough to have any leftover ganache, it is often stored inside an airtight container in the fridge. Because it contains milk or cream, the mixture is highly perishable. So, it cannot be left out at room temperature for very long.
Furthermore, chocolate is sensitive to heat and humidity. So, even if the ganache isn’t on the cake yet, it will undergo structural changes which could make it unusable later on.
If you piped with it, you can leave it inside the piping bag. Just seal both of the edges before placing them inside the fridge.
Any leftover ganache will have to be reheated before it is used again. It hardens and sets inside the fridge, making it impossible to pour over cakes. So, you can gently heat it in a microwave, over a double boiler, or in a saucepan.
Can ganache be frozen?
Unlike many other chocolate products, ganache is very stable and can easily be frozen.
The only condition for freezing ganache is that you have to ensure your recipe is correct and works as you want it to. You will need to thaw and reheat the mixture, but if the consistency is wrong from the get-go, fixing it later will become a nightmare!
Other than that, freezing ganache has many benefits. First, it will save you a bunch of time to make. Especially if you use a lot of ganache regularly.
Secondly, you can buy bulk chocolate and cream at a lower cost. These two ingredients are both fairly expensive, so buying them at a discounted price helps a lot!
And finally, making the exact amount of ganache you need is challenging. So, more often than not you are left with a bunch of leftover glaze. So, instead of gulping it down or tossing it out, you can prevent wastage and store it for later.
How-To Guide For Freezing Ganache- Can Ganache Be Frozen?
Step 1: Allow the ganache to cool
If you made ganache fresh, you first have to allow it to cool until it reaches room temperature. You can transfer it to a cold bowl to help speed along the process.
What also helps cool a mixture quickly is if you stir it regularly. This incorporates cold air and mixes cooler parts with warmer parts.
Step 2: Place it into a container
Once it has cooled significantly, decant the ganache into an airtight freezer-safe container. A Ziploc bag also works if you have nothing else.
Then, before closing it up, make sure that the ganache cools completely. You can even allow it to chill in the fridge for a little while.
Step 3: Seal the container
Once the ganache is sufficiently cooled, you can close it tightly. You can even wrap it with plastic or saran wrap if your container doesn’t seal nicely.
Then, cover the entire container is a layer of foil to give the ganache extra protection against freezer burn.
Make sure to label the contents with the name, when it was made, and the estimated use-by date.
Step 4: Place the container in the freezer
The final easy step is to simply place the container in the freezer. Try to set it upright so the ganache freezes in an even layer. And, keep it away from any strongly flavored foods.
How To Thaw Ganache
Now that we know the answer to “can ganache be frozen?” let’s have a look at how you should defrost it. The best way is always the slow way. You can place the container in a tray and remove the foil and any wrapping.
Then, allow it to thaw slowly in the fridge. We always prefer thawing products overnight, but they will likely be ready within 8 hours.
Once it is completely thawed, you can reheat it to get it to a workable consistency again. This can be done over a double boiler, in a microwave, or directly in a saucepan. Always use low and slow heat.
Shelf life of frozen ganache
The ganache will keep well if properly frozen. You should use it within 3 months to still get the best characteristics of the chocolate.
If you store ganache in the fridge, it will only last between 4-7 days (depending on a ton of factors).
Wrapping Up
Can ganache be frozen? Now you can confidently use this technique like a professional without worrying about losing valuable product.
Let us know if you still have any questions or topics you would like for us to cover!
FAQs
Can you freeze a dessert with ganache?
You can freeze any dessert that is either covered or contains ganache. Ganache freezes very well and for quite some time. You just have to make sure that the other items in the dessert do as well. For example, if the item contains fresh mint leaf garnishes, they may not hold up well in a freezer.
How do you store ganache-covered cake?
A ganache-covered cake should be kept inside a fridge. Otherwise, the chocolate will start sweating and even melting off. Otherwise, a ganache-covered cake can also be frozen for a couple of months. But we rather recommend keeping it in the fridge in an airtight container.
What happens if you freeze chocolate ganache?
Chocolate ganache freezes very well. Neither the structure nor flavor of the ingredient will be affected all that much. But, make sure to use the ganache within 3 months.
Does chocolate ganache freeze hard?
The exact state into which ganache freezes mainly depends on the recipe. As we've mentioned, some recipes create chewy soft finishes while others' sets rock hard. So, when freezing, some recipes may get harder than others. But, all of them will be frozen.
Lindy Van Schalkwyk is a culinary specialist with a background in Advanced Cooking, Advanced Pâtisserie, Media Communications and Nutrition. She has gained invaluable experience in the culinary industry having worked in some of the top restaurants in Africa in 2016 and 2017. Her expertise in nutrition has enabled her to develop recipes for special dietary needs. In 2018, Lindy began working in the Food Media industry, focusing on recipe development, recipe writing, food writing and food styling.