Theresa's Mixed Nuts: Dark Chocolate Ganache Bars with Sea Salt Make the Holidays Oh, So Sweet!

Monday, December 12, 2016

Dark Chocolate Ganache Bars with Sea Salt Make the Holidays Oh, So Sweet!

I remember when I was little, I would totally snub my nose up to dark chocolate. If someone put it in my Halloween bag...What a dirty trick! In the trash it went. Dark chocolate candies ranked up there with those icky chalk tasting Smarties and those nasty black and orange wrapped peanut butter chews. Now that I am much older, and much wiser, Smarties are still on my trash list, but I do love those peanut butter chews and dark chocolate. I actually seek out candies with dark chocolate these days, often buying it over all other varieties.

Over the summer, I stocked up on a lot of dark chocolate but never found the time to bake with it like I wanted. Now that the holidays are here, I still don't have a lot of time to spend in the kitchen like I want, but using up some of that chocolate has been high on my list.

Since time is limited, I thought about making some fudge, but decided I wanted something a little simpler and and also richer in flavor. I love to top my cakes and brownies with ganache, and sometimes make some hi-hat cupcakes and dip the frosting in the ganache too, for an extra sweet coating. This time though, I stuck with an easy melt, pour, freeze, then cut recipe. It doesn't get any simpler than that! I made a pan of Dark Chocolate Ganache Bars and topped them with a touch of sea salt, because I do adore a sweet and salty combo.

Dark Chocolate Ganache Bars

You could leave the salt off if you prefer. Also, you don't have to cut them into bars. You could use the melted ganache to fill into some silicone holiday treat molds for a rich chocolate candy that would make a lovely holiday gift or cookie exchange box filler.

I recommend freezing the chocolate once poured into the pan to make it easier to cut through. Also, leave them refrigerated until ready to eat because they will get soft quickly in warm hands.
yield: 12 barsprint recipe

Dark Chocolate Ganache Bars with Sea Salt

INGREDIENTS:

  • 24 ounces dark chocolate, chopped
  • 2 cups heavy whipping cream
  • 2 tbsp unsalted butter, cubed
  • course sea salt for garnish (optional)

INSTRUCTIONS:

  1. Line an 8x8 inch baking pan with parchment paper.
  2. Place chopped chocolate in a heatproof bowl. Set aside.
  3. In a small sauce pan, bring heavy whipping cream to a boil. Remove from heat and pour cream over chopped chocolate. Let stand for 1 minute.
  4. Using small, slow circles, whisk the cream and chocolate mixture until completely combined, and chocolate is a smooth consistency.
  5. Add butter cubes and continue to stir until completely incorporated into the chocolate mixture.
  6. Pour mixture into lined pan (or silicone molds if you are using them). If desired, sprinkle a small amount of course sea salt over the top of the mixture. Cover the pan with plastic wrap, then place in the freezer for 30 minutes. 
  7. Using a sharp knife, cut the chocolate into squares. Serve immediately, or store in an air-tight container in the refrigerator for up to 1 week.
Created using The Recipes Generator

Dark Chocolate Ganache Bars

These bars will be a hit on your holiday dessert table, but be sure to hide a few for yourself. You'll be kicking yourself if you don't since they'll get gobbled up in no time!


Dark, white, milk, semi-sweet... What's your favorite kind of chocolate?


31 comments:

  1. Much older and much wiser... I wish I could say the same thing. I'm just much older. But I do have dark chocolate stashed somewhere and I intend to wolf all of it down, too. As for not having enough time, a silver spoon would've come in handy... No? Time is money, money is time, and time is a precious thing. I don't have to tell you that.

    Now, how do those dark chocolate ganache bars with sea salt taste? Delicious, I bet.

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    1. A silver spoon would definitely come in handy, especially during the holidays. I'm in the process of getting the house ready for guests, finish up the shopping, and trying to find the time to squeeze in a few more volunteer hours. Maybe in my next life I'll be so lucky to win the silver spoon lottery.

      The bars are freakin' divine Blue! Make a batch when you find your dark chocolate stash ;)

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    2. Your guests have something to look forward to.

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  2. Yes, definitely leave the salt out! You Americans are always trying to kill yourselves with food :)
    I can't establish whether that cake holder is lovely or ugly, I think it is charming because it is both at the same time :)
    I did notice that, although I loved it before, especially thin, crunchy one from the fridge, I tend not to like dark chocolate these days, life is too bitter itself and I prefer me sweet milk chocolate or the white one best. I like chocolates filled with fruit fillings and also caramel and peanut ones.
    Ganache is always such a hit, I was one of the first ones to use it here on cakes, both dark and white version, it is definitely a food for seduction :)

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    Replies
    1. Sometimes things are so ugly, they are actually pretty cute. Like my black pug and that cake stand. Plus, the stand was only like $3, so it gives me more reason to love using it at Christmas.

      I find that the older I get, the less I am liking the sweeter treats. They make my tummy hurt, so I think that's why I have such a strong love for dark chocolate these days. The bitterness offsets the sweetness and I find that I can treat myself to a few nibbles here and there and not suffer for it later.

      I bet your cakes were snapped up in a heartbeat with that ganache on it. Then again, your pretty cakes were probably always a huge hit, even without the ganache :)

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  3. I love dark chocolate and these look amazing!!

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  4. haha when I was a kid I hated it too. Always traded it with my brother at Halloween. Still can't say I have a taste for it, but I'm sure that surprises no one.

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    Replies
    1. Lucky you had a brother who would trade you. Mine wouldn't and she'd steal all my good candy when I fell asleep lol

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  5. Definitely keep the sea salt on. I love sweet and salty together too. These look so good. Pinnned 'em to try Wed. It's my turn to bring a dish to the women's group I'm in.

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    Replies
    1. I like them much better with the sea salt too. Here's a tip, make sure you layer your bars in between wax paper to keep them sticking to each other on the journey. Also, I'd keep them frozen up until it's time to leave. Otherwise, they will get really soft and could turn into a messy situation if you don't have extra napkins or wet wipes on hand.

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    2. check and check. and thank you. :)

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  6. Yum - those look amazing and easy! I prefer milk chocolate overall, but I like it mixed with something...like rice crisps or caramel. If I'm going to eat just plain chocolate, I love dark chocolate - no need to add anything to it. I do NOT like white chocolate at all. I love sea salt, so I say keep it on! :)

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Isn't white chocolate not really chocolate anyway? Something like the fat skimmed off the chocolate in the process of making it? I don't eat it plain either, with the exception of Lindor Truffles. Love those white chocolate balls! I also do like to use it as a coating on buckeyes. Other than that, I think we use semi-sweet chocolate the most here.

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  7. I am drooling over here. I Need to make a batch of those STAT!

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  8. OMG, those look amazing! I seriously cannot wait to make these. They look absolutely mouthwatering.

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  9. AHHH! Those look amazing. I love a rich, chocolatey dessert, and you certainly have that covered. I especially love that sea salt on top. Yum!

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  10. These look amazing. I have always preferred dark chocolate. This recipe is going on my holiday baking list.

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  11. What a delicious holiday recipe idea. I will have to try to make these and see what I think of the taste ;)

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  12. This is so easy to make! I have been making Christmas candy all weekend, now I have another recipe I need to try.

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  13. You had me at dark chocolate! Seriously, these bars look like heaven on earth.

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  14. These look tasty for Santa LOL. Dark chocolate is my favorite!

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  15. I love sweet and salty treats! This is a must try recipe!

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  16. I love dark chocolate better than any other kind of chocolate. These look good.

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  17. I was the same about dark chocolate, but now its my favorite! I would love to make these for my holiday dessert exchange, its such a simple recipe but looks super yum!

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  18. This looks delish! I bet the chocolate is so rich in this recipe yum!

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  19. Oh my goodness. these look amazing. so flavourful and delicious. I WILL have to make these, asap! I can't wait! - jeanine

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  20. Ganache! Looks super yuuuum and dark chocolate tastes wonderful indeed, Theresa. You surely are ready for a festive holiday...

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  21. I can just taste those things now. They look extremely delicious. I would love to try these.

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  22. That looks so good!! I need to include these in our party this weekend.

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Thanks for your comments! I appreciate every one of them :) Except promotional posts with added links. Those will be deleted.

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