# Should I use a ganache, and if not, then what? **URL:** \ **Category:** Cafe Society\ **Created:** [April 17, 2011, 9:29pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/should-i-use-a-ganache-and-if-not-then-what/578757 "2011-04-17T21:29:41Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 19\ **Page:** 1
**Author:** ![Rilchiam](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/r/2bfe46/32.png) [@Rilchiam](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Rilchiam)\ **Post date:** [April 17, 2011, 9:29pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/should-i-use-a-ganache-and-if-not-then-what/578757/1 "2011-04-17T21:29:41Z")
I’m making Mr. Rilch a [Dalek cake](http://www.chocablog.com/recipes/dalek-chocolate-cake/) for his birthday. The setup is too perfect not to: not only will he be 42, but his birthday is the same day as the (first ever simultaneous UK/US premiere!) of the new season of Doctor Who! To this end, I’ve already made a practice cake: just a chocolate cake with a chocolate coating. But I found out, to my dismay, that the melted chocolate did not pour as readily as I anticipated. I thought the problem would be getting it to pour slowly enough that it didn’t all end up on the plate. Instead, I had to spread it just to get it to the edges, and forget the sides. I could make it a ganache, but I’m iffy about that because I thought ganache never really gets solid. And what I want for this is something that’s soft for a few minutes, but eventually congeals, so I can press the Whoppers\*\* and so forth into it when it’s fresh, and they’ll stay stuck after the coating gets solid. So any suggestions? I hope I don’t have to resort to plain frosting, because I already got a pound of baker’s chocolate. (Be advised that I won’t be back for a few hours, but I’ll reply when I do get back.) \*He knows it was a practice cake; he just doesn’t know exactly what for. As it is, we’re using it like a very large brownie. \*\*What’s great about this is that all the addendums are things he already loves: Whoppers, white chocolate, Twix, Swiss rolls and oatmeal sandwich cookies. Anything left over…won’t really be left over. ---
**Author:** ![Drain\_Bead](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/e47774/32.png) [@Drain\_Bead](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Drain_Bead)\ **Post date:** [April 17, 2011, 10:59pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/should-i-use-a-ganache-and-if-not-then-what/578757/2 "2011-04-17T22:59:49Z")
How far ahead will you be making it? In my experience, ganache does eventually set. The last one I made was still pretty wet 3 hours later, but firmed up overnight. Normally I’d say refrigeration would help, but I doubt anyone would have the fridge space. ---
**Author:** ![Joey\_P](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/j/919ad9/32.png) [@Joey\_P](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Joey_P)\ **Post date:** [April 17, 2011, 11:07pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/should-i-use-a-ganache-and-if-not-then-what/578757/3 "2011-04-17T23:07:35Z")
Ganache might firm up if you put the cake in the fridge when you’re done. I’m not sure I would trust it to hold anything heavier then M&M’s unless you backed off on the cream to keep it thicker. Otherwise maybe just using those cans of Duncun Hines or Betty Crocker frosting from the grocery store. I think that would be your best bet. It’s spreadable. I think it’ll hold candy without any problem and if you’re unsure, the stuff gets pretty solid (but still very soft) in the fridge. ---
**Author:** ![Farmer\_Jane](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/f/bbe5ce/32.png) [@Farmer\_Jane](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Farmer_Jane)\ **Post date:** [April 17, 2011, 11:10pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/should-i-use-a-ganache-and-if-not-then-what/578757/4 "2011-04-17T23:10:36Z")
Do you want something soft and dribbly or just something that looks like it was poured? You could always use chocolate buttercream. Ganache is entirely possible – just depends on your recipe. I personally HATE ganache but I’ve used it before upon request. Duff used a few different frostings for his Dalek cake…but I’m not a Dr. Who person…er…maybe [this helps](http://www.flickr.com/groups/dalekcakes/pool/)? I do know baking, though! Once you decide on what you want it to look like, I can help you get there with some of the logistics. 😃 Do you have to use whoppers and twix? Cause if not, there are better ways to make a sturdier Dalek. A cheaper Dalek would just be a 2-D one, but maybe that’s not pizzazzy enough. ---
**Author:** ![Farmer\_Jane](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/f/bbe5ce/32.png) [@Farmer\_Jane](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Farmer_Jane)\ **Post date:** [April 17, 2011, 11:12pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/should-i-use-a-ganache-and-if-not-then-what/578757/5 "2011-04-17T23:12:17Z")
> [@Joey\_P](#): > > Ganache might firm up if you put the cake in the fridge when you’re done. I’m not sure I would trust it to hold anything heavier then M&M’s unless you backed off on the cream to keep it thicker. Otherwise maybe just using those cans of Duncun Hines or Betty Crocker frosting from the grocery store. I think that would be your best bet. It’s spreadable. I think it’ll hold candy without any problem and if you’re unsure, the stuff gets pretty solid (but still very soft) in the fridge. Yeah, but I’d use Wilton’s chocolate if you want to go that route. ---
**Author:** ![Cub\_Mistress](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/c/ea666f/32.png) [@Cub\_Mistress](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Cub_Mistress)\ **Post date:** [April 18, 2011, 12:27am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/should-i-use-a-ganache-and-if-not-then-what/578757/6 "2011-04-18T00:27:54Z")
I’ve coated cakes in a glossy chocolate coating by melting chocolate and butter together, about a 2:1 ratio of semisweet chocolate and butter. ---
**Author:** ![digs](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/digs/32/14889_2.png) [@digs](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/digs)\ **Post date:** [April 18, 2011, 12:54am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/should-i-use-a-ganache-and-if-not-then-what/578757/7 "2011-04-18T00:54:49Z")
Why would you make anything _but_ a ganache at any time in your life? I mean, green beans or ganache? Ganache! Turkey for thanksgiving with the spouse’s extended family, or ganache? Ganache! Ham and onion souflee for brunch with a new beau, or ganache? Ganache! My birthday cake was almost nothing but ganache… ---
**Author:** ![Nawth\_Chucka](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/n/c57346/32.png) [@Nawth\_Chucka](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Nawth_Chucka)\ **Post date:** [April 18, 2011, 1:30am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/should-i-use-a-ganache-and-if-not-then-what/578757/8 "2011-04-18T01:30:34Z")
For 42, shouldn’t you make him a cake that looks like a towel? ---
**Author:** ![Farmer\_Jane](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/f/bbe5ce/32.png) [@Farmer\_Jane](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Farmer_Jane)\ **Post date:** [April 18, 2011, 1:35am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/should-i-use-a-ganache-and-if-not-then-what/578757/9 "2011-04-18T01:35:27Z")
> [@Cub\_Mistress](#): > > I’ve coated cakes in a glossy chocolate coating by melting chocolate and butter together, about a 2:1 ratio of semisweet chocolate and butter. go for the good chocolate. if you’re going to add butter, though, i’d do bittersweet. ---
**Author:** ![Farmer\_Jane](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/f/bbe5ce/32.png) [@Farmer\_Jane](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Farmer_Jane)\ **Post date:** [April 18, 2011, 1:58am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/should-i-use-a-ganache-and-if-not-then-what/578757/10 "2011-04-18T01:58:22Z")
> [@Cub\_Mistress](#): > > I’ve coated cakes in a glossy chocolate coating by melting chocolate and butter together, about a 2:1 ratio of semisweet chocolate and butter. go for the good chocolate. if you’re going to add butter, though, i’d do bittersweet. ---
**Author:** ![Rilchiam](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/r/2bfe46/32.png) [@Rilchiam](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Rilchiam)\ **Post date:** [April 18, 2011, 5:01am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/should-i-use-a-ganache-and-if-not-then-what/578757/11 "2011-04-18T05:01:44Z")
**Drain Bead** and **Joey P** : I’m going to make it the night before. There will be room in the fridge after I take out a shelf, so that may help. **Citizen** : My primary concern is that it should be shaped like a Dalek; I’m not terribly concerned about the texture. I don’t like ganache either, or fondant. I’ve already bought a pound of semi-sweet (not Wilton’s). Whoppers (Malteasers in the UK) are essential for the base of a Dalek; check the link you posted. Twix seemed all right for my purposes. But what suggestions do you have? **CubMistress** : Would that be strong enough to stick candy in? I’m okay in theory with using frosting, but when I get to the part where I create a column of Swiss rolls, I’m not sure if I could cover them in frosting without mishap. **digs** : You can have all the ganache you want, 'cause I ain’t innarested. **Nawth Chucka** : BWAH! I might give him a towel, now that you mention it. ---
**Author:** ![Nawth\_Chucka](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/n/c57346/32.png) [@Nawth\_Chucka](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Nawth_Chucka)\ **Post date:** [April 18, 2011, 11:22am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/should-i-use-a-ganache-and-if-not-then-what/578757/12 "2011-04-18T11:22:56Z")
> [@Rilchiam](#): > > **Nawth Chucka** : BWAH! I might give him a towel, now that you mention it. “For my Hoopy Frood on his Meaning of Life Birthday” ---
**Author:** ![Rilchiam](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/r/2bfe46/32.png) [@Rilchiam](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Rilchiam)\ **Post date:** [April 23, 2011, 6:38am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/should-i-use-a-ganache-and-if-not-then-what/578757/13 "2011-04-23T06:38:27Z")
Okay, I’ve decided to make it four layers of cake, cemented with canned frosting between the layers. For the coating, I’m following **CubMistress** ’s suggestion of melting chocolate with butter. Second cake is currently in the oven while the first cools. (I also got him the BluRay of **Deathly Hallows 1** , and on a whim, a box of chocolate-covered blueberries. Couldn’t find a towel that he’d like that I could afford, though. Still, he’s meh on H2G2, so he likely won’t notice.) ---
**Author:** ![Rilchiam](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/r/2bfe46/32.png) [@Rilchiam](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Rilchiam)\ **Post date:** [April 23, 2011, 7:49am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/should-i-use-a-ganache-and-if-not-then-what/578757/14 "2011-04-23T07:49:26Z")
I stacked four layers of cake, then angled off one side of it. Lotta cake left over. I’m going to let it cool a bit more. In fact, I’m going to take a shelf out of the fridge so I can keep it in there when I’m done. ---
**Author:** ![Rilchiam](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/r/2bfe46/32.png) [@Rilchiam](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Rilchiam)\ **Post date:** [April 23, 2011, 8:35am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/should-i-use-a-ganache-and-if-not-then-what/578757/15 "2011-04-23T08:35:56Z")
Coated the first layer, stuck the Whoppers in, put it in the fridge to hopefully toughen up. ---
**Author:** ![Rilchiam](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/r/2bfe46/32.png) [@Rilchiam](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Rilchiam)\ **Post date:** [April 23, 2011, 9:31am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/should-i-use-a-ganache-and-if-not-then-what/578757/16 "2011-04-23T09:31:58Z")
Made the column of Swiss rolls. I strongly suspect that Little Debbie Swiss rolls don’t deserve to bear the name, compared to UK Swiss rolls. Twix arms in place, along with white chocolate “collar”. Cookie sandwiches on top. Seems to be firming up. ---
**Author:** ![Cub\_Mistress](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/c/ea666f/32.png) [@Cub\_Mistress](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Cub_Mistress)\ **Post date:** [April 23, 2011, 1:05pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/should-i-use-a-ganache-and-if-not-then-what/578757/17 "2011-04-23T13:05:14Z")
Please post pictures when it’s done! I’m very interested in how it turns out. ---
**Author:** ![Drain\_Bead](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/e47774/32.png) [@Drain\_Bead](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Drain_Bead)\ **Post date:** [April 23, 2011, 3:37pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/should-i-use-a-ganache-and-if-not-then-what/578757/18 "2011-04-23T15:37:47Z")
Yeah, I can’t wait to see this. ---
**Author:** ![Rilchiam](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/r/2bfe46/32.png) [@Rilchiam](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Rilchiam)\ **Post date:** [April 23, 2011, 3:56pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/should-i-use-a-ganache-and-if-not-then-what/578757/19 "2011-04-23T15:56:54Z")
Okay, he’s seen it! And taken pictures. Joy! The main thing is, it **looks** like a Dalek, and he recognized it as such. I’ll post the pix this evening.