As Easy As Chocolate Ganache

By Vanessa Shepherd

Have you ever heard the saying "as easy as pie"... well I beg to differ! Have you ever made a pie? It is not "easy".  It includes a mixer, rolling out the dough, then chilling the dough, then using pie weights (seriously pie, I don't even use weights), then making a filling, and topping it with another pie crust to bake for the perfect amount of time. Too long and it's burned, too short and it's raw.  Good luck walking down "easy" street or using the "easy" button, because it's all just as "easy" as pie. 

People who use this saying are exactly why I have baking trust issues.

BUT... I know something that is easy in every sense of the word!!!! And with it being Valentine's Day this weekend I thought it would be a perfect time to pull out the recipe that is sure to put a smile on your mom, dads, siblings, or friends faces- because this is the day to show everyone how much you love them- so do it with CHOCOLATE GANACHE! 

And if that makes you go- huh- then just think chocolate icing or chocolate dip but fancy! All you need is a few things!

And now for the truly easy part! Add the sugar and butter to the whipping cream and heat until boiling in a microwave for 1 to 2 minutes (mine starts to boil at 1:30).

Pour the boiled cream into the bowl of chocolate chips and let sit for a few minutes.  Then, just stir it a few times.  With a fork.  Not a special kitchen appliance.  Until well combined.

And there you have it! It's as easy as Chocolate Ganache! 

Ingredients:

1-12 oz. package semi sweet chocolate chips

1 cup heavy whipping cream

1 tablespoon unsalted butter

1 tablespoon sugar

Instructions:

Add sugar and butter to the whipping cream in a microwave safe bowl 

and heat until boiling in a microwave for 1 to 2 minutes (mine starts to boil at 1:30). 

Pour the chocolate chips into the bowl of boiled cream and let sit for a few minutes.  

Stir with a fork and serve!

You can have ganache with fruit, marshmallows, unfrosted sugar cookies, cake, or anything you think a pile of chocolate would be good on... which in my book is pretty much everything! And as far as Valentine's Day or as some people refer to it "Single Awareness Day" is concerned, how about a little history...

"Valentinus was the name of a young man who lived in Rome during the reign of Claudius II when Christians were being persecuted. Although he was not a Christian, he helped them, but he was caught and put into prison. In prison he became a believer in Jesus. Because of this, Valentinus was condemned to death. He was beaten with clubs, stoned and finally beheaded outside the Flaminian Gate on February 14, 269. After his death, this gate was known as Porta Valentini. While he was in prison he sent messages to his friends saying, "Remember your Valentine!" and "I love you."

Yep it is morbid (and yes I did just go there) but you want to know what else it is- it is not a story about true love (unless you count Jesus' true love for us) but rather a day to remember all of those you care for! So hug your friends a little tighter, let your family see your face a little more, and mix up a bowl of ganache to enjoy together with those you love!

1 Corinthians 13:13

And now these three remain: faith, hope and love. 

But the greatest of these is love.