Fudge vs Ganache: What’s the Difference?
Updated: Feb. 02, 2021
Both are rich indulgences that make desserts exceedingly better, but there's a real difference between fudge and ganache.
Chocolate enthusiasts know that fudge and ganache are two shining stars in the dessert world. Both are creamy, lush, chocolaty indulgences that appear on treats in bakeries and home kitchens alike. But despite a similar appearance, there is a sweet difference between fudge and ganache. Here’s what you need to know.
What is fudge?
This spongy sweet treat makes us envision candy shops and ice cream parlors with delicate homemade bonbons on display.
Fudge is a solid, dense, soft, chewy confection made from butter, sugar and milk (or heavy cream). Other ingredients such as chopped nuts, fruits, candies and extracts are sometimes added to the mix to create unique flavors—like this cherry swirl fudge! Interestingly, chocolate or cocoa is not the primary ingredient in fudge.
Fudge is commonly sliced into cubes and enjoyed as a standalone treat (try our best fudge recipes). It’s also commonly used as a filling or topping for cakes, pies and brownies.
Fun Fact: The History of Fudge
The first known batch of fudge was sold at a Baltimore grocery store for 40 cents a pound in the late 19th century. Around the same time, Emelyn Battersby Hartridge, a student at Vassar College (then an all-women school), whipped up batches of fudge and sold them on campus. Learn how to make microwave fudge.
What is ganache?
Ganache is a smooth glaze made primarily with melted chocolate and cream (here’s how to make chocolate ganache, step by step). Unlike fudge, chocolate is indeed the main ingredient in a ganache. It’s commonly used to frost cakes and cupcakes or to coat truffles (if you’re craving a homemade truffle, try these made with orange extract.) It can even be used as a sweet dipping sauce for fruits, pastries and breads.
Traditionally, ganache is created when heated whipping cream is added still warm to melt the chocolate. It usually only needs to be cooled to room temperature. Fudge requires a good chilling in the fridge to set before serving. Another major difference is in the usage. Ganache is often used as a filling or an icing, while fudge can be enjoyed all by itself. You can give your own desserts a luscious, shiny coating with our easy homemade ganache recipe.
(Try our decadent ganache desserts!)
Fun Fact: The History of Ganache
Ganache was introduced by Parisian confectioner Maison Siraudin in 1862. He named his chocolaty creation after Les Ganaches, a vaudeville comedy by Victorien Sardou.
Chocolate Ganache
This smooth, satin chocolate ganache recipe will bring a touch of elegance to even the most basic cake. A simple garnish, like fresh fruit, adds the finishing touch. (Psst! Discover the difference between fudge and ganache.) —Taste of Home Test Kitchen
Three-Layer Chocolate Ganache Cake
This decadent triple-layer beauty is pure chocolate indulgence. The cake layers can be frozen prior to final assembly; in fact, they're easier to work with when frozen. —Kathleen Smith, Overland, Missouri
Chocolate-Strawberry Celebration Cake
Although I have some great "from-scratch" recipes, this chocolate strawberry celebration cake uses a boxed mix with plenty of doctoring. It has become a popular groom's cake that gets more attention than the wedding cake. —Nora Fitzgerald, Sevierville, Tennessee
Buckeye Pie
Everyone that eats this pie raves about it! You can cover the whole top with ganache, but leaving part of the filling bare is the traditional way to make it. —Mary Northrup, Alpine, New York
Chocolate Ganache Peanut Butter Cupcakes
I've been baking cakes for years and enjoy trying new combinations of flavors and textures. For this peanut butter cupcake recipe, I blended peanut butter and chocolate. As soon as I took the first bite, I knew I had created something divine! —Ronda Schabes, Vicksburg, Michigan
Mint Chocolate Cheesecake
I created this mint chocolate cheesecake for our high school's annual fundraiser. We were told that it brought a hefty price and was one of the first desserts to go! If desired, you can stir the cookie pieces into the batter instead of adding them in a layer. Keep the pieces fairly small or they have a tendency to rise to the top. —Sue Gronholz, Beaver Dam, Wisconsin
Ganache-Topped Chocolate Cake
To say this cake is elegant would be an understatement. It’s worthy of special occasions, but once you learn how to make chocolate ganache, it's so easy to whip together that you can enjoy it any day of the week. —Taste of Home Test Kitchen
Decadent Chocolate Crepe Cake
No other dessert has wowed family and friends the way this stunning crepe cake did the first time I made it. A showstopper in every sense of the word, it features layers of tender chocolate crepes and rich white chocolate buttercream frosting draped in a semisweet chocolate ganache. —Tina Sawchuk, Ardmore, Alberta
Triple-Chocolate Cheesecake Bars
What could be better than a brownie crust layered with chocolate cheesecake and topped with chocolate ganache? These cheesecake bars will satisfy even the biggest chocolate lovers out there. —Andrea Price, Grafton, Wisconsin
Chocolate Ginger Cake
Indulge in a dark, decadent cake that showcases the flavors of the holiday season. I stir fresh ginger into the batter and sprinkle chopped crystallized ginger over the velvety ganache. —Amber Evans, Beaverton, Oregon
Coconut Macaroon Pie with Chocolate Ganache
Coconut pie lovers will be in heaven with this delectable pie covered with a rich and silky chocolate ganache. I reminiscent of good old-fashioned candy.—Gilda Lester, Millsboro, Delaware
Chocolate Ganache Pumpkin Tart
I love the flavor combination of spiced pumpkin and chocolate, which inspired me to create this chocolate pumpkin tart. Sometimes I like to sprinkle chopped crystallized ginger over the chocolate ganache for extra flavor and texture. —Bernice Janowski, Stevens Point, Wisconsin
Buttery Ganache Cookie Cups
Our family wanted to share our love of ganache-filled cupcakes, so we made them into cookies. Even better: we bake the cookies in muffin cups, fill with ganache, and get the best of both worlds! —Adela Srinivasan, Parker, Colorado
Flourless Chocolate Cake with Rosemary Ganache
This rich cake is the essence of moist, dense and chocolaty. A silky chocolate ganache infused with rosemary really takes it over the top. —Kelly Gardner, Alton, Illinois
Cherry-Coconut Chocolate Torte
This torte reminds me of two favorite treats: chocolate covered-cherries and old-fashioned Cherry Mash candy bars. —Dian Hicks Carlson, Omaha, Nebraska
Mudslide Cheesecake
Change up cheesecakes with different liqueur flavorings. This “mudslide” version with coffee and Irish cream is my husband's favorite. —Sue Gronholz, Beaver Dam, Wisconsin
Berry & Ganache Cheesecake Bars
I use fresh blueberries and raspberries with chocolate ganache to make cheesecake bars that dare you to walk away. —Carmell Childs, Ferron, Utah
Ganache-Topped Pumpkin Layer Cake
My dreamy pumpkin cake with cream cheese filling and rich homemade chocolate ganache is perfect for any autumnal gathering. —Michelle Sorensen, Bountiful, Utah
Chocolate Peppermint Cheesecake
After making some delicious dessert bars, I was determined to turn the recipe into a chocolate peppermint cheesecake. This festive dessert is the result and one of my favorites to serve for the holidays. Whether I share it with family or give it as a gift, it always receives rave reviews. —Sue Gronholz, Beaver Dam, Wisconsin
3D Chocolate Cheesecake
This dark chocolate cheesecake is deep and decadent, earning it the right to be called "3D." This version always looks its chocolatey best, because the ganache coating blankets any cracks you may experience. —Vanassa Hicks, Flint, Michigan
