How To Get Shiny Melted Chocolate?

[lyall]

Does anyone know how I can get melted chocolate to set and look shiny, so it sort of looks like the chocolate on a Jaffa cake? A friend has suggested adding a nob of butter but can't remember that helping it go shiny in the past. The recipe calls for a chocolate ganache but don't have the time or patience for that (mine usually curdles) plus I'd like to have that 'crack'when you cut or bite into the chocolate. Thank you for any suggestions.

[Buenchico]

The ganache will only curdle if you allow the cream to boil; otherwise it's dead easy and quick as well. (I could get it right when I was 8 years old, so it can't be hard!):
http://www.bbcgoodfood.com/technique/how-make-ganache
(For extra shininess add some butter. You'll get the 'crack' if you allow the ganache to cool sufficiently first - see the video).

[EcclesCake]

Without knowing what your recipe is I am a tad confused as you are on one hand asking about tempered chocolate which is shiny and has a snap to it and then you mention ganache which is quite different.

Ganache is pretty straight forward if you take your time and don't use excessive heat it is however very different to tempered chocolate use for finishing.

Here's a link with various levels of intricacy to get shiny and a snap http://www.theguardian.com/lifeandstyle/2011/apr/15/how-why-temper-chocolate

[Old_Geezer]

The ganache was what the recipe called for. lyall wanted something different (quicker to do, and with "crack").

[lyall]

Hi sorry for the delay, been at work. im making a giant jaffa cake cake, the recipe says ganache for the chocolate top, but on the picture it looks like it could be soft and i recon a jaffa cake top has a bit of a crack when you bite into it which is more what i want.