The Best Chocolate For A Fondue Night

Chocolate fondue is a fun and easy dessert to make, but do you need special chocolate? The short answer is no. You can use any type of chocolate you like, including milk chocolate, semi-sweet chocolate, dark chocolate, or white chocolate. However, it's important to use high-quality chocolate bars instead of chocolate chips, as they melt better and don't harden as quickly. The type of chocolate you choose will depend on your taste preferences and the desired intensity of the fondue. For a deeper flavour, you can use bittersweet chocolate with at least 60% cacao, or even higher for an even more intense experience.

What type of chocolate is best for fondue?

While you can use any type of chocolate for fondue, some types will yield better results than others.

When it comes to choosing the best chocolate for fondue, it is recommended to use high-quality chocolate bars over chocolate chips. Chocolate chips often don't melt as well and can result in a fondue with a grainy texture. Additionally, chocolate chips are not pure chocolate, which is essential for a good fondue. Bars of chocolate also tend to be better than chips because they melt better and don't harden as quickly.

For a deep chocolate flavour, it is recommended to use bittersweet chocolate with at least 60% cacao. You can also use semi-sweet chocolate chips or a combination of both. If you prefer a darker chocolate fondue, you can use a combination of semi-sweet and dark chocolate. Alternatively, you can use milk chocolate for a sweeter fondue. White chocolate is also an option and can be spiked with liquor or citrus zest for a heavenly flavour.

When making chocolate fondue, it's important to avoid getting any water in the chocolate, as this can cause it to seize and ruin the fondue. It's also important to heat the chocolate gently and not let it come to a boil, as this can affect the texture.

Do you need a fondue pot?

You don't necessarily need a fondue pot to make chocolate fondue. You can make it in a heavy-bottomed saucepan on a gas or electric stove. However, if you want to keep the chocolate warm while serving, a fondue pot is ideal.

Fondue pots are designed to make the creation and serving of fondue as simple as possible. They come in various sizes, materials, and heat sources. Metal fondue pots are usually made of stainless steel or enameled cast iron. They are sturdy and can be placed directly on the table without having to transfer the fondue from a separate pot. Ceramic fondue pots are great for retaining heat and are easy to clean. Electric fondue pots are safer, heat up faster, and are easier to adjust but are more expensive and require an outlet nearby.

If you don't have a fondue pot, you can keep the chocolate fondue warm in several ways. You can use a small slow cooker, place the saucepan on a heating pad, or put it over a bowl of very hot, just-boiled water. You can also use a tea candle or Sterno fuel to keep the chocolate warm, but be careful as these can burn very hot. Alternatively, you can use a small crockpot or a clean candle warmer.

What can you dip in chocolate fondue?

Chocolate fondue is a fun and tasty treat, and there are endless options for what you can dip into it. Here are some mouth-watering ideas to get you started:

Fruits

Chocolate-covered strawberries are a classic fondue choice, but you can also try raspberries, blackberries, blueberries, mango, peach, kiwi, pineapple, banana, apples, oranges, grapefruit, and more. For an extra special touch, try drying out slices of orange, grapefruit, or lemon in a warm oven to create a crisp texture.

Cookies and Crackers

Graham crackers, vanilla wafers, shortbread, peanut butter cookies, chocolate chip cookies, and even cinnamon-flavored crackers are all excellent choices for dipping. For a real treat, try pairing your chocolate fondue with edible cookie dough balls.

Marshmallows

Marshmallows are a fondue favorite, especially when toasted. You can dip them in the chocolate fondue and eat them as is, or use them to make s'mores by sandwiching them between graham crackers.

Cake

Pound cake, angel food cake, sponge cake, carrot cake, red velvet cake, and even cheesecake are all delicious options for dipping into chocolate fondue.

Pretzels and Chips

The salty, crunchy texture of pretzels and potato chips makes them perfect for dipping into chocolate fondue. Go for sturdy options like pretzel rods and wavy chips to avoid breakage.

Other Sweet Treats

Rice Krispie treats, brownies, meringues, churros, and candy are also excellent choices for dipping into chocolate fondue. You can even get creative and dip slices of cheesecake or candied bacon!

How do you keep fondue warm?

To keep fondue warm, you can use a special fondue stove or burner, which is usually sold as part of a "fondue set". These typically consist of a small stove with a burner, a small copper or stainless steel pot, and a set of forks. If you don't have a fondue set, you can use a small tabletop stove or hotplate that can be safely placed on a dining table and has an extremely low heat setting. Alternatively, you can suspend the fondue pot over a tealight candle, ensuring that the pot is not touching the table. For example, you can place the candle in a small saucer with bricks on either side to support the pot. Another option is to use a small slow cooker or to keep the fondue in the same saucepan you made it in, placed on a heating pad or over a bowl of very hot, just-boiled water. If you don't have a suitable heat source on the table, you can periodically transfer the fondue back to the stove to reheat it, although this is not ideal.

Can you make fondue in advance?

Making fondue in advance is possible, but not recommended. It is best to make fondue as close to serving as possible. However, if you need to make it ahead of time, there are a few things you can do to ensure the best results.

Firstly, prepare all the ingredients and have them ready to go. If you are making a cheese fondue, you can shred the cheese and coat it with flour or cornstarch. This will help the cheese not stick together and make it easier to melt later. You can also cut up any dippers you plan to serve with the fondue, such as fruit, cake, or bread, and store them in an airtight container.

If you are making a chocolate fondue, you can melt the chocolate and cream together and transfer the mixture to a fondue pot or small slow cooker to keep it warm. Chocolate fondue does not need to be extremely warm to stay delicious, and it will stay soft and dippable as it cools. However, if you need to reheat it, you can do so over low heat, stirring often.

If you are making a cheese fondue, you can prepare the fondue and transfer it to a microwave-safe container or a saucepan. When you are ready to serve, reheat the fondue in the microwave or on the stove over low heat.

It is important to note that reheating fondue may affect its consistency and it may not be as smooth and creamy as when it is first made. Therefore, it is best to make fondue fresh if possible.

Additionally, while you can make fondue a few hours in advance, it is not recommended to prepare it days ahead of time, as the ingredients may separate or the fondue may become too thick.

Frequently asked questions