Does Ganache Need To Be Refrigerated?

*This post may contain affiliate links. Please see my disclosure to learn more.

Ganache is simply decadent on cakes and cupcakes, and it is an easy enough ingredient to make at home.

If there is a need to make a ganache ahead of time, or if you have made too large a batch, you might be looking for the best way to store the ganache before it is eaten or goes off.

Does ganache need to be refrigerated? If the ganache is not going to be eaten within 1–2 hours, then it is best to keep it in the refrigerator until it will be eaten. Some people claim that ganache is fine to leave out at room temperature for up to 2 days, but this is not always ideal.

To make the most of the ganache you have made, read on to find out how best to store it, and whether or not it needs to be refrigerated.

What Is Ganache?

To understand the best way to store ganache, it helps to know what ganache is and what it is made from.

Ganache is essentially made by combining cream and chocolate.

The cream is simmered over heat and the chocolate is added in, with the two ingredients being mixed together slowly until the chocolate is melted and the ganache becomes smooth and shiny.

This is then used as a delicious glaze, frosting, or sauce on cakes, cupcakes, pastries, and so much more.

Should You Refrigerate Ganache?

As ganache is made from a mixture of cream and chocolate (so, dairy), it does need to be kept in the refrigerator to prevent it from spoiling too soon.

Ganache can be kept out at room temperature for a few hours, such as when the cake is being served or if it is going to be consumed soon, but after a few hours, it is best kept in the fridge.

Proper refrigeration allows the ganache to stay fresher for longer, and keeping it in the fridge is the best way to store it until you are ready to use it.

How To Store Ganache In The Fridge

Once you have followed your favorite recipe and made the ganache, you would need to store it in the fridge if you are not going to be using it right away.

Storing the ganache properly helps to keep it at its best texture to use to frost cakes later on.

To store the ganache, place it into a fridge-safe container, then cover it with plastic wrap. Make sure to wrap the container tightly using plastic wrap so that no air or moisture can come into contact with the ganache.

Place the ganache into the fridge, and make sure that it is kept at a constant temperature so that there is no effect on the texture or taste.

How Long Does Ganache Last In The Fridge?

Ganache lasts much longer in the fridge than it does if it was left out at room temperature, so refrigerating ganache is ideal for when you make some ahead of time, or when you have leftovers.

Ganache is made from cream and chocolate, which are dairy, which means that it is perishable. However, the high sugar content helps to protect it from spoiling too soon.

For this reason, ganache can be kept in the fridge for up to two weeks when stored properly, and sometimes even longer.

It helps to write the date of refrigeration onto the ganache packaging, so you can keep track of when it needs to be used by.

Check the ganache daily to make sure it is still okay to use, and to be safe, use it within the recommended time frame.

Is It Best To Leave Ganache In The Fridge The Whole Time?

Many ganache recipes call for the ganache to be refrigerated once it has been made as this helps it reach a thicker texture, which makes it easier to spread onto a cake or a cupcake.

So it is a good idea to refrigerate ganache, even if you are planning on using it in a few hours. The texture will be ideal to spread, and you will be keeping the ganache at the best quality until it is used!

When you are not planning on using the ganache straight away, then you should definitely place it into the fridge to prevent it from spoiling or losing its texture. This way, the ganache will be kept for longer, and you will have longer to use it.

How To Use Ganache That Has Been In The Fridge

Ganache does become thicker when kept in the fridge, so if you need it to be a more spreadable consistency, then you would have to try and thin it down a little bit.

There are a few ways to do this:

Remove the ganache from the fridge and leave it to sit out at room temperature for an hour.
Place the ganache into a heat-proof bowl, and place this over warm water, where the steam will rise and warm up the refrigerated ganache.
Gently microwave the ganache on low heat for 20 seconds, stirring it well to thin it out.

How Long Can Ganache Stay Out At Room Temperature?

Ganache is fine to stay out at room temperature for up to 2 hours, but it should be refrigerated after this.

After 2 hours, the risk that the ganache will begin to spoil increases — it is not worth risking this when the ganache can be easily saved by being placed in the fridge.

So if you are not planning on using or consuming the ganache within 2 hours, then it is best to place it in the fridge rather than leaving it out at room temperature.

Does Ganache Harden At Room Temperature?

Ganache sets at room temperature, but this does take a few hours. Once you have used the ganache to glaze or frost a cake, it would usually take around 3 hours to harden and set.

The variation in temperature will determine how long the ganache takes to harden, but generally, it should only take a few hours.

The warmer the temperature, the longer it will take, and ganache will harden quicker in colder environments.

Can You Freeze Ganache?

Ganache can be kept for up to 2 weeks in the fridge, but if you are wanting it to last for longer than this, then you can keep it in the freezer.

You can freeze ganache successfully, as long as it is done properly and it is protected in the freezer.

The best way to freeze ganache is to place it into a freezer-safe container that seals airtight. Make sure that you only fill the container ¾ of the way full as the ganache might expand while it freezes.

Another option is to freeze portions of ganache in plastic freezer bags, removing as much air as possible before sealing. These can be laid flat in the freezer to save space.

Whichever container you use to freeze ganache, make sure that you label it with the date of freezing. Ganache can be kept in the freezer for up to 3 months before it begins to decline in quality.

How To Defrost Ganache

Once the ganache has been frozen for some time, you of course need to know how to get it back to a spreadable consistency to be able to use it.

The ganache will be frozen solid when you remove it from the freezer, and the best way to defrost it is to leave it in the fridge overnight. This allows the ganache to thaw slowly so that the ingredients do not separate and the texture is ruined.

After leaving the ganache to thaw in the fridge overnight, remove it from the fridge and stir it gently. You can leave it at room temperature for up to an hour to reach a more spreadable consistency.

Final Thoughts

It is a good idea to refrigerate ganache, especially if you are not going to be using it straight away. As it is made from cream and chocolate, ganache is perishable — when placed in the fridge, it can be kept for up to 2 weeks.

It is not advised that the ganache be left out at room temperature for longer than 2 hours, so make sure to use it within this time.

Ganache can also be frozen if you need to keep it for longer than 2 weeks, and it can be kept in the freezer for up to 3 months.