The Perfect Chocolate Ganache

This Dairy-Free Ganache is made with just 2 ingredients and comes together in minutes. It's rich, silky, and endlessly versatile -- perfect for frosting cakes, glazing donuts, or serving as a warm dipping sauce.

Whether you're frosting a birthday cake, topping donuts, or dunking waffles, this dairy free chocolate ganache delivers every time. No fancy equipment or hard-to-find ingredients required.

Below you'll find ingredient notes, step-by-step instructions, tips for a smooth glossy finish, flavor variations, and answers to the most common dairy free ganache questions.

Why You'll Love This Recipe

• Just 2 ingredients and about 10 minutes of hands-on time.
• Naturally dairy free -- no substitutions or special swaps needed.
• Endlessly versatile: use it as a frosting, glaze, filling, or dip.

Ingredient Notes

• dairy free dark chocolate morsels – we recommend Enjoy Life Dark Chocolate Morsels. Semi-sweet morsels work too if you prefer a slightly sweeter ganache (see our FAQ below).
• canned full-fat coconut cream – look for canned coconut cream or full-fat coconut milk, not a thin coconut milk beverage from a carton. The full-fat canned version is what gives this ganache its rich, pourable texture.

For more of our go-to dairy free baking staples, check out our Shop My Favorites page.

How to Make Dairy-Free Ganache

1. Place the dark chocolate morsels in a medium heatproof bowl and set aside.
2. Heat the coconut cream in a small saucepan over medium heat, removing it from the heat just before it begins to boil.
3. Pour the hot coconut cream over the chocolate morsels and let it sit undisturbed for 2 minutes.
4. Whisk until completely smooth and glossy.
5. Let the ganache cool and set until it reaches your desired thickness before using.

Recipe Tips

• Use a heatproof bowl at room temperature -- a cold bowl can cause the chocolate to seize instead of melting smoothly.
• Let the coconut cream just barely reach a simmer. Boiling it can scorch the cream and lead to a grainy texture.
• Resist the urge to stir right away -- letting the mixture sit for the full 2 minutes helps the chocolate melt evenly.
• If your ganache looks grainy or separated, whisk in a small splash of warm coconut cream a little at a time until it smooths back out.

Dairy-Free Ganache Variations

• Peppermint ganache – stir in ¼ teaspoon of peppermint extract for a holiday twist.
• Orange chocolate ganache – add a teaspoon of fresh orange zest for a bright, citrusy flavor.
• Mocha ganache – whisk in ½ teaspoon of instant espresso powder along with the hot coconut cream.
• Sweeter ganache – swap the dark chocolate morsels for semi-sweet or a dairy free milk chocolate for a milder, sweeter flavor.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I make this ganache ahead of time?

Yes -- this dairy free ganache stores well at room temperature in an airtight container for 3-4 days. That makes it easy to prep ahead for a cake, donuts, or another dessert you're planning.

Why is my ganache too thin or too thick?

Ganache thickens as it cools, so if it's too thin, give it more time to sit and stir occasionally. If it's too thick, gently reheat it and whisk in a small splash of warm coconut cream to loosen it back up.

Why did my ganache turn out grainy or seized?

This usually happens when the coconut cream is boiled instead of just heated, or when the chocolate is stirred too soon. Whisking in a little warm coconut cream, a splash at a time, will usually smooth it back out.

What's the best ratio of chocolate to cream?

This recipe uses roughly a 1:1.5 ratio of chocolate to coconut cream, which creates a pourable, glossy ganache. For a thicker, spreadable frosting consistency, use a little less coconut cream.

Can I use a different dairy free milk instead of coconut cream?

We recommend sticking with canned full-fat coconut cream or coconut milk. Thinner dairy free milks like almond or oat milk don't have enough fat to set properly and will leave you with a runny ganache.

Is this ganache vegan?

It can be. Coconut cream is naturally vegan, so just double check that your chocolate morsels are labeled vegan as well, since some dairy free chocolate is still processed with milk-derived ingredients.

What should I use this ganache for?

This ganache is delicious drizzled over cake or donuts, used as a filling between cookies, or served warm as a dipping sauce for waffles, fruit, or homemade churros.

What else can I add to this recipe?

See our variations section above for flavor ideas like peppermint, orange, and mocha. A pinch of sea salt on top is also a simple way to dress up the finished ganache.

How do I store leftover ganache?

Store leftover ganache in an airtight container at room temperature for up to 3-4 days. If you'd like it to last longer, refrigerate it and reheat before using.

Recipes to Make With This Dairy-Free Ganache

• Double Chocolate Donuts
• Chocolate Bundt Cake
• Ice Cream Cone Cake
• DIY Chocolate Kisses
• Cinnamon Swirl Waffles (for dipping)

This dairy-free ganache is proof that a recipe doesn't need a long ingredient list to be impressive. Two simple ingredients come together in minutes for a rich, glossy topping you'll want to put on everything.

Pin this recipe so it's ready whenever you need it for your next cake, batch of donuts, or brunch spread.

Let us know in the comments how you used your dairy free chocolate ganache -- we love hearing all the creative ways you put it to use.

more dairy free chocolate desserts

• Chocolate Loaf Cake
• Chocolate Buttercream Frosting
• Chocolate Breakable Heart
• Chocolate Zucchini Bread
• Chocolate Donuts
• Funfetti Donuts (need this ganache!)

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