Glossy chocolate drips are one of the most popular cake decorations. They look very stylish, modern, and pair beautifully with other decor elements. But to achieve a voluminous and neat drip, it's important to choose and prepare the right frosting.

In this article, I'll share tried-and-true ganache recipes for cake decoration, as well as address common mistakes that can occur during the decorating process. These frostings are easy to make at home. A cake with luxurious, glossy drips will grace any holiday table.

Recipe with step-by-step photos

Ganache for drips on the cake

This simple chocolate ganache recipe is perfect for covering cakes and creating beautiful drips. It requires just three ingredients and minimal preparation time. It's crucial to chill the cake thoroughly before applying the drips.
Nutritional value per serving
542 kcal
  • Proteins: 4.9 g
  • Fats: 34.5 g
  • Carbohydrates: 52.5 g
*Nutritional value is calculated per 100g of ingredients
  • Total time:
  • Complexity:
    A simple recipe.
  • Number of servings: 1

Ingredients

Servings
  • Chocolate (30-50% cocoa)
    100 G
  • Butter
    10 G
  • Cream 30%
    60 G

Preparation

Step 1
How to Make Drip Ganache - Step 1

Place the chocolate in a deep plate or bowl and add the butter to it.

Step 2
How to Make Drip Ganache - Step 2

Cut the chocolate into small pieces.

Step 3
How to Make Drip Ganache - Step 3

Microwave the bowl with the chocolate and butter for 1.5-2 minutes. You can also melt the chocolate in a double boiler.

Step 4
How to Make Drip Ganache - Step 4

Mix the chocolate mixture thoroughly until smooth and there are no lumps.

Step 5
How to Make Drip Ganache - Step 5

Pour cream into the chocolate mass.

Step 6
How to Make Drip Ganache - Step 6

Mix everything carefully until smooth.

Step 7
How to Make Drip Ganache - Step 7

If the mixture becomes too thick, microwave it for 30-40 seconds.

Step 8
How to Make Drip Ganache - Step 8

Remove the plate from the microwave and stir the ganache thoroughly again.

Step 9
How to Make Drip Ganache - Step 9

The glossy chocolate ganache is ready for further use.

Step 10
How to Make Drip Ganache - Step 10-1

Place the cream in a pastry bag and draw drips on the cake.

Step 11
How to make drip ganache - photo

Ready!

5 mistakes in decorating with chocolate drips

Chocolate drips are one of the most versatile decorations. They complement virtually any cake beautifully. However, there are several common decorating mistakes that can completely ruin the dessert's appearance.

Poor alignment

Properly leveling the cake is the key to successful decorating, especially when applying chocolate drips. Any unevenness or misalignment will cause the icing to flow in the wrong direction, ruining the cake's appearance.

Incorrect glaze consistency

If you make glaze that's too thin, it will quickly run down the cake, forming puddles on the tray or plate. And if the ganache is too thick, it will form thick, unsightly streaks on the cake. Therefore, stick to a proven recipe and avoid experimenting with proportions or substituting ingredients.

The cake was not cooled enough.

Before applying drips, be sure to chill the cake thoroughly. Otherwise, the icing will not set and will quickly run down the cake.

Cooled glaze

Unlike the cake, the icing should be warm (around 30°C). The temperature difference is what creates the most beautiful, neat drips. If the icing has cooled and thickened, simply warm it up slightly.

Sloppy design

A drippy cake looks stylish and attractive only if the icing flows in thin, graceful streams of varying lengths. It's also important not to overdo the decorations: flowers, chocolate figures, candies, meringues, sprinkles, and other details. Too much decoration always looks tasteless.

If you want your cakes to always look perfect, try to avoid making these mistakes.