According to Joy of Cooking, a ganache is a sleek, rich coating on a European torte, or the center of a rich chocolate truffle. I have adapted the old standard from this amazing cookbook, which is the most dog-eared in my collection. I like this recipe best with Triple Chocolate Cupcakes (page 33) or Almond Fudge Cupcakes (page 38).

　　

Ingredients

makes 3/4 cup

　　3/4 cup heavy cream

　　8 ounces dark chocolate chips (73% cacao) (just over 1 1/3 cups)

　　1 teaspoon vanilla extract

　　Pinch of sea salt

　　

Step 1

In a medium saucepan, bring the heavy cream to a boil, then immediately remove it from the heat. Stir in the chocolate until it is melted and smooth, then stir in the vanilla extract and salt.

　　

Step 2

Let the ganache stand at room temperature for 5 minutes, then transfer to the refrigerator and chill until the ganache thickens and becomes shiny and spreadable. This could take anywhere from 10 to 30 minutes, depending on the temperature of your refrigerator.

　　

Step 3

If the frosting becomes too stiff to work with, reheat the pan ever so briefly over very low heat, and stir until softened.

　　

Step 4

Use immediately or store in a glass Mason jar in the refrigerator for up to 24 hours.

　　Cooks' Note

　　Sweetness: Medium

　　Reprinted with permission from Gluten-Free Cupcakes: 50 Irresistible Recipes Made with Almond and Coconut Flour. Copyright © 2011 by Elana Amsterdam, Celestial Arts, an imprint of Ten Speed Press, a division of the Crown Publishing Group, Berkeley, CA. Photo Credit: Annabelle Breakey.ELANA AMSTERDAM is the popular food blogger of Elana's Pantry, where she has written about gluten-free cooking since 2006, and is also the author of The Gluten-Free Almond Flour Cookbook. When she and her son were both diagnosed with celiac disease, she was inspired to develop gluten-free recipes that everyone can enjoy. Her writing has appeared in publications including the Denver Post, Shape Magazine, the Boulder Daily Camera, Delicious Living, Delight Magazine, and Elephant. Elana lives with her family in Boulder, Colorado, and is available for interviews. Visit www.elanaspantry.com.