My Favorite Buttercream Frosting And Dark Chocolate Ganache

Valentine Brownie Bites
Bailey’s Buttercream Frosting and Dandelion Chocolate Ganache on brownies.

This is the third part in my celebration brownies series. I started by making some really easy and yummy Valrhona Brownies in the Instant Pot. I baked two pans of brownies at once, in springform pans, stacked on top of each other. Then I turned them out onto a cutting board and, using cookie cutters, cut out three different sized hearts and decorated these Valentine’s Brownie Bites. I chose two different toppings, along with Fancy Sprinkles to turn them into a party on a plate! Now let me show you how to make my favorite buttercream frosting and dark chocolate ganache.

Ganache And Frosting

To turn my basic brownies into something extra special, I decided to make my two favorite toppings – buttercream frosting and dark chocolate ganache. I wanted to have a plate of that was varied, and exciting. By using a light-colored buttercream and a dark chocolate ganache, I gave myself a lot of options for decorating.

Dark Chocolate Ganache
Dandelion Chocolate Ganache

In addition to looking different, they also have different textures, with the ganache being smooth and dense, and the buttercream being fluffier.

Valentine Brownie Bites
Bailey’s Irish Cream Buttercream Frosting

I often use both of these toppings together on cupcakes. The dark chocolate ganache makes a great filling for cupcakes. You can cut a hole into the base of the cupcake and pour the ganache in while it is still warm. When it cools, it holds it’s shape and makes a great ‘surprise’ when you bit into it. I used Dandelion Chocolate, one of my favorite local shops, for a really decadent dark chocolate flavor.

The Bailey’s frosting can be piped onto cupcakes, and holds it’s shape perfectly. But for my brownie bites, I am spreading both onto the cut out shapes, taking care to run a knife around the edges to show off their curves.

Valentine Brownie Bites with my favorite buttercream frosting
Just frost the top of brownie bites to show off their shapes.

I tried to do an equal number of bites using each frosting, and also did some half-and-half!

Valentine Brownie Bites with my favorite buttercream frosting and dark chocolate ganache

Cookie cutter shapes

My bites were made for Valentine’s Day, but you can use different shapes and colors and turn them into festive Birthday Bites, or any other party. Have fun with them!

Ganache-Buttercream

Dark Chocolate Ganache and Bailey’s Buttercream Frosting

Two topping for brownies, cupcakes, and cakes. Ganache can be used as topping or filling. Buttercream is light and fluffy.
Prep Time: 30 minutes
Total Time: 30 minutes
Course: Dessert
Cuisine: American
Keyword: baking, brownies, cupcakes, dessert, frosting, topping
Servings: 36 pieces
Calories: 150
Author: BlakOpal

Ingredients

Dark Chocolate Ganache

  • 8 oz Dark chocolate bars 70% cocoa
  • 2/3 cup Heavy cream
  • 2 Tbsp Butter at room temperature
  • 1 Tbsp Corn syrup

Bailey’s Buttercream Frosting

  • 2 cups Unsalted butter at room temperature
  • 5 cups Powdered confectioner’s sugar sifted
  • 6 Tbsp Bailey’s Irish Cream liquor or vanilla bean paste

Instructions

Chocolate ganache

  • Gather ingredients for your ganache.
    Chocolate Ganache
  • On a cutting board, with a sharp knife, chop the chocolate bars into small pieces so it melts quickly. The smaller the pieces, the easier it will be to make the ganache, and less likely that there will be unmelted pieces.
    Place pieces in medium-sized mixing bowl.
    Chocolate Ganache
  • Pour heavy cream into Pyrex measuring cup and heat in microwave for a minute or two until it starts to bubble. You want the cream to be hot. Keep an eye on it, and don’t let it boil over.
    Chocolate Ganache
  • Take your mixing bowl of chocolate pieces, and pour the hot cream over it. 
    Chocolate Ganache
  • Make sure all the chocolate pieces are submerged in the hot liquid. Leave for a few minutes. Do not stir. You are letting the chocolate melt on its own in this step.
    Chocolate Ganache
  • With silicone scraper, gently stir chocolate from the middle to the edges. Turn it over from the bottom as well, mixing the hot liquid into the melting chocolate. It will be very wet.
    Chocolate Ganache
  • Don’t panic. Continue to stir. As the chocolate melts, the mixture will start to appear smoother, but still look lumpy.
    Chocolate Ganache
  • Add the room temp butter and continue to stir.
    Chocolate Ganache
  • The mixture will begin to look super smooth and glossy. Stir in the vanilla, scraping the sides and bottom of the bowl to make sure it is mixed thoroughly. 
    Chocolate Ganache
  • Keep an eye out for unmelted chocolate pieces, and smooth them against the side of the bowl to melt them. Your ganache should be smooth and shiny. Cover with plastic until you are ready to use it.
    Note: Ganache will firm up as it cools, so you should make it after your baked goods are cooked. If you need it to be softer, you can put the bowl into the microwave to heat it up for a second or two (be careful not to heat it too much though).
    Chocolate Ganache

Bailey’s Buttercream Frosting

  • Gather the ingredients for your buttercream frosting.
    Note: To get very fluffy frosting, a stand mixer with whisk is preferred, but you can also use a hand mixer.
    Valentine Brownie Bites
  • In the mixer bowl, add the room temp butter. Whip on high for 5 minutes until light and fluffy.
    Valentine Brownie Bites
  • Add half of the powdered sugar and mix slightly on low speed.
    Valentine Brownie Bites
  • Add the baileys and mix well.
    Valentine Brownie Bites
  • Scrape the sides and bottom of the bowl well.
    Valentine Brownie Bites
  • Add the remaining powdered sugar a little at a time, beating well, and scraping down the sides and bottom of the bowl in between. 
    When all of the sugar is incorporated, whip for 2-3 more minutes on high, until the frosting is light and fluffy.
    Note: if you want to color your frosting, add food color now. Add a few drops at a time, mixing in between until you get the desired color.
    Valentine Brownie Bites
  • You can store the frosting, covered in the refrigerator until you are ready to use it. If the frosting has gotten stiff, you can stir it with a silicone spatula to get it back to a smooth texture.
    Valentine Brownie Bites
  • You can pipe the frosting, or apply it with a knife. Have fun decorating!
    Valentine Brownie Bites
Nutrition Facts
Dark Chocolate Ganache and Bailey's Buttercream Frosting
Amount Per Serving (1 piece)
Calories 150 Calories from Fat 135
% Daily Value*
Fat 15g23%
Saturated Fat 9g56%
Cholesterol 35mg12%
Sodium 10mg0%
Potassium 51mg1%
Carbohydrates 3g1%
Sugar 1g1%
Vitamin A 400IU8%
Calcium 10mg1%
Iron 0.8mg4%
* Percent Daily Values are based on a 2000 calorie diet.
Tried this recipe?Mention @BlakOpalEats or tag #blakopal!

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