Dark chocolate and salted caramel ganache squares – the perfect indulgent after dinner treat.
Did you know that this week is Chocolate Week? Despite having a calendar with them all in, I’m not particularly good at organising myself to post recipes to fit in with all of the national food days, weeks and months (there’s just so many!). However, I’ve usually got something chocolatey in the making so this was one week I was confident I wasn’t going to miss.
Today’s recipe was inspired by my recent trip to the River Cottage where after lunch we were served some delicious ganache squares. I swear they said they were dark chocolate and salted caramel, but others have told me they think they were just dark chocolate. Anyway, whether their version included salted caramel or not, I decided that I was going to make some that did.
By lucky coincidence, I was recently sent some Lindt dark chocolate to try and I knew that it would be perfect for this recipe. Lindt is one of my favourite chocolates to work with. For starters it tastes yummy, but it’s also quite forgiving when you melt it compared to some other brands. I pretty much always melt chocolate over a very low direct heat and I’ve never had a problem with it overheating and going grainy.
Now this is a very rich, grown up recipe. Usually dark chocolate has about 70% cocoa solids, but to make a clear contrast between the chocolate and the salted caramel I went for 85%. The richness of the chocolate means that you’ll only want one (oh OK, maybe two 🙂 ) so it’s perfect as an after dinner treat with coffee if you have guests (although we didn’t, we ate them watching Downton Abbey at the weekend).
I made ganache squares as I think it sounds fancier than truffles (what do you think?) and the ones at the River Cottage were square. However, cutting ganache squares is a little tricky, so if you’re in a hurry then rolling the ganache into balls works just as well (it’s also a great way to use up any offcuts from the edges or wonky squares that went a bit wrong). I still haven’t fully made my mind up whether I actually prefer squares or balls, so I’ve shared them both!
If you find your ganache starting to get a little soft as you’re working with it, pop it back into the fridge for a bit to harden again.
To add a little extra something special to the chocolates they’re sprinkled in cocoa powder mixed with edible glitter. It gives them a nice sparkle. However, it’s just there for decoration so if you don’t have any, plain cocoa powder would work just fine.
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Dark Chocolate and Salted Caramel Ganache Squares... or Truffles!
INGREDIENTS
For the salted caramel
- 150 g granulated sugar
- 90 ml single cream - or 45ml double cream and 45ml full-fat milk
- 45 g butter
- ½ tsp salt
For the ganache
- 150 g 85% cocoa solids dark chocolate - I used Lindt
- 100 ml double cream
To finish them off
- 2 tbsp cocoa powder - approx
- A pinch of gold edible glitter - optional
INSTRUCTIONS
Make the salted caramel
- Measure out all of the caramel ingredients (except the salt) into separate bowls (150g granulated sugar, 45g butter, 90ml single cream). Cut the butter into small cubes.
- Put the sugar into a large saucepan spread evenly across the bottom, and place it onto a medium heat.
- Leave the sugar alone until it has started to melt, then as it melts gently tilt the saucepan to help the unmelted sugar at the top. If there is a small amount of unmelted sugar you can use a spatula to carefully stir it in.
- Once all of the sugar has melted continue to stir gently with the spatula until it has turned a light brown colour.
- As soon as the caramel is light brown, carefully add the butter and whisk rapidly until the butter has melted and is completely combined.
- Turn off the heat and add the cream, again whisking rapidly until combined.
- Add the salt (½ tsp) and mix thoroughly.
- Put into a bowl or jug, cover and refrigerate to cool.
Make the ganache
- Break the chocolate (150g) into pieces and place into a saucepan.
- Heat on a very low heat until the chocolate has melted, stirring continuously.
- Once the chocolate has melted pour it into a bowl and add the double cream (100ml) and beat rapidly until the chocolate and cream are combined. Continue to beat until the mixture has cooled to room temperature and looks smooth and glossy.
- Pour in the salted caramel and mix thoroughly to combine.
What you do next depends on whether you're making truffle balls or ganache squares...
If you're making truffle balls
- Pour in the ganache. into a container, cover and put into the fridge for at least an hour to set.
- Once the ganache has set, sprinkle 2 tablespoons of cocoa powder (and a pinch of edible glitter if you like) onto a work surface.
- Use a teaspoon to scoop out a little ganache. Using your hands roll it into a ball and then roll it in the cocoa powder until coated.
- Place the finished balls on a tray and return them to the fridge until you're ready to serve.
If you're making ganache squares
- Line a small baking tray/box with cling film (I used a 17cm x 10cm loaf tin). Try to make it as smooth as possible.
- Cover and leave to set in the fridge for at least an hour.
- Once the ganache has set, sprinkle cocoa powder onto a clean surface (it needs to be well coated to help stop the ganache from sticking when you turn it out) and turn the ganache out onto the surface. Carefully peel off the clingfilm.
- Sprinkle the top of the ganache with more cocoa powder (and a pinch of edible glitter).
- Get a bowl of hot water and a large sharp knife. Dip the knife into the water, dry it and quickly make one cut in the ganache (the heat on the knife helps to make a cleaner cut). Repeat, dipping the knife in the hot water, drying and cutting until all of your ganache is cut.
- Carefully move the ganache squares onto the dish you wish to serve them on, loosely cover and return to the fridge until you're ready to serve.
NOTES
NUTRITIONAL INFORMATION
Any nutritional information provided is the estimated nutritional information per serving. Please refer to my guide to Charlotte’s Lively Kitchen nutritional information if you would like to learn more about how this is calculated.
Free From/Suitable For…
- Suitable for vegetarians
- Gluten-Free
- Egg-Free
- Nut-Free
- Soy-Free
- Corn-Free
The ingredients for this recipe are commonly available free from all these allergens. However, please ensure you double-check allergen information for all ingredients.
Maureen says
Could the ganache mixture be frozen for a few weeks, as I don’t want to have to do everything last minute for Christmas gifts?
Charlotte Oates says
I’ve not tried it so I’m not sure, sorry.
Josie ross says
Hi, I’d like to send these for Christmas presents in the post are they suitable or do they need to be kept in a fridge? Thanks
Charlotte Oates says
They need to be kept refridgerated so wouldn’t be suitable for posting.
Shahin says
Can I use this recipe for frosting a cake after mixing 2 parts??
Charlotte Oates says
It’s quite a soft ganache but my be a little too stiff for cake icing. If you find it too stiff, heat it a little and add a little more cream to get it to a better consistency.
Steph @MisplacedBrit says
BE STILL MY HEART!
Right up my street. These look absolutely fantastic Charlotte x
Thanks for linking up with #CookBlogShare
Charlotte Oates says
Thanks Steph. I think you regularly win the prize for most enthusiastic comments on my blog 🙂
Emily says
oh my, these dark choc and salted caramel ganache squares look delious! I love anything with salted caramel and these sound amazing. Im surprised at how easy they sound to make too, I will definitely have to give these a go! Emily #TastyTuesdays
Charlotte Oates says
Thanks Emily. They’re really easy to make, just don’t forget to keep and eye on the melting sugar and chocolate. I hope you enjoy them x
Kirsty Hijacked By Twins says
Oh wow these look and sound simply amazing!!! I would definitely enjoy 1, or 2 or 3 of these 🙂 x #CookBlogShare
Charlotte Oates says
Thanks Kirsty xx
Grubby Little Faces says
These look decadent. I would definitely go for making the balls (I know I’d get in a huge mess with the squares). I also think they would make a gift for someone. x
Charlotte Oates says
Sensible approach, far quicker than making squares so you get to eat them sooner 🙂
The only thing I’d say about making these as a gift is that they do tend to go quite soft if not kept in the fridge so you’d need to be quick delivering them!
Honest mum says
These are delicious-so beautiful! Thanks for linking up to #tastytuesdays x
Charlotte Oates says
Thanks Vicki x
Sarah says
The squares do look particularly sophisticated, but I’d eat either! Pinning, we will definitely be making these! #TastyTuesdays
Charlotte Oates says
I think I agree, squares look fancier but it all tastes the same in the end! Let me know how it goes when you make them.
Sarah James says
Your ganache squares look beautiful Charlotte, I love salted caramel, what a delicious treat.
Charlotte Oates says
Thanks Sarah. The squares were a little bit fiddly but I think it was worth the effort.
Amy says
They look delicious Charlotte. I love dark chocolate, in-fact I’m munching on a bar of 85% right now! I like the sound of ganache squares, they definitely sound fancier than truffles 🙂
Charlotte Oates says
Thanks Amy. Have you tried the 99%? I thought it would be too bitter but I actually really liked it.
Amy says
No I haven’t, I’ll have to get on that!
Claudia | The Brick Kitchen says
These look incredibly decadent! Love the addition of salted caramel – very good idea right there. I do like the look of ganache squares – just a little bit different I suppose! 🙂
Charlotte Oates says
Thanks Claudia, the squares seem to be getting more votes than the regular truffles 🙂
Mummy Tries says
Once again these sound like heaven Charlotte! I’m going to completely ignore the ingredients and just drool over them anyway x
Charlotte Oates says
They’re gluten-free, so not all bad (just ignore all the sugar and dairy). At least these are rich and indulgent so if you crack and decide to have a late night chocolate making session you won’t be tempted to indulge too much!
Angela - Patisserie Makes Perfect says
These look delicious Charlotte. I prefer squares, I think they look more sophisticated and feel a bit more special. I agree they are fiddly to cut, but worth it.
Charlotte Oates says
They do don’t they, but they are a pain. Taste good either way though!
Mel says
Oh yeah baby, these look like just what I want right now: full of chocolatey goodness, salted caramel… Nom Nom!
Charlotte Oates says
Thanks Mel xx