ganache

noun

ga·​nache (ˌ)gä-ˈnäsh 

gə-

: a sweet creamy chocolate mixture used especially as a filling or frosting

Examples of ganache in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web

Stirring too soon can create a granular ganache, not one that’s satiny, glossy, and smooth. —Robin Miller, The Arizona Republic, 14 Mar. 2024

Finished with a buttery ganache on top, this decadent treat feature a creamy layer of pistachio flavor in its middle. —Sarah Martens, Better Homes & Gardens, 5 Mar. 2024

Ladurée Paris Box of 20 Macarons Chocolates from Maison du Chocolat Silky ganaches and delightfully textured pralines are Maison du Chocolat specialties, and any chocolate lover will appreciate these little morsels. —Wilder Davies, Bon Appétit, 6 Dec. 2023

This confection is filled with chocolate ganache and real pastry cream between each layer, topped with a final covering of ganache that drips over the edges. —Southern Living Editors, Southern Living, 15 Feb. 2024

What awaits are the most tender of cake crumbs, luxurious of ganaches and creamiest of custards (that’s right, custards). —Charlotte Druckman, Washington Post, 8 Feb. 2024

Belgian chocolate is known for its nutty and creamy hazelnut pieces, Kristy said, but the lineup also includes classic caramels, ganaches and butter creams. —Kate Bradshaw, The Mercury News, 6 Feb. 2024

Each little lamb is hand-piped with a ganache made with white chocolate, strawberries, and Washington rhubarb. —Amanda Ogle, Southern Living, 16 Feb. 2024

Upside-down cupcakes are smothered in rich ganache and topped with fresh strawberries. —Sarah Martens, Better Homes & Gardens, 31 Jan. 2024

Word History

Etymology

borrowed from French, originally a kind of bonbon manufactured by the Parisian confectioner Siraudin (probably after Les Ganaches, a play by Victorien sardou first performed in October, 1862), literally, "lower jaw of a horse, jowl, imbecile," borrowed from Italian (Tuscan) ganascia "jaw, jowl," central Italian ganassa, going back to Vulgar Latin (northern and central Italy) *ganassa, re-formation (with gender conformed to the source noun) of Greek gnȧthos "jaw" (attested in Medieval Latin of Italy as ganathos) — more at -gnathous

Note: The French word occurs in a list of bonbon varieties produced by "la maison Siraudin" ("Courrier de la mode," LʼIllustration, journal universel, vol. 44, no. 1139, 24 décembre 1864, p. 415): "Les bonbons preférés sont: le Maltais, la Praline du club, la Praline Livry, au sucre de violette, lʼÉmélie, lʼOrangine, puis les Ganaches, qui eurent presque le succès de la pièce de Victorien Sardou, etc., etc." ("The preferred bonbons are: the Maltese, the Club Praline, the Praline Livry, with violet sugar, the Émélie, the Orangine, then the Ganaches, which had nearly the success of Victorien Sardouʼs play, etc., etc."). The Ganache bonbon is cited in English in a list of popular French bonbons, others of which are named after successful operas and plays of the period ("Bonbons," Every Saturday: A Journal of Choice Reading, vol. 7, nol. 163, February 13, 1869, pp. 220-21).

First Known Use

1977, in the meaning defined above