Chocolate Fondue: Slow-Cooked, Melty, Decadent Delight

Making chocolate fondue in a crock pot is a simple and delicious way to create a dessert that's perfect for Valentine's Day, baby/bridal showers, or any special occasion. This guide will teach you how to make this mouth-watering treat, as well as provide tips for the best dippers and ways to customise your fondue.

Ingredients and prep

Making chocolate fondue in a crock pot is easy and fun! Here's what you'll need:

Ingredients

• Chocolate chips: You can use semi-sweet, dark, or milk chocolate chips. Go for quality chocolate chips like Ghirardelli or Guittard. You can also use chopped bakers chocolate. For a vegan option, use vegan chocolate chips.
• Evaporated milk: You can substitute coconut milk for a vegan version.
• Heavy cream: This provides a rich, creamy base for the fondue.
• Milk: A small amount of milk adds fluidity to the fondue, making it easier to dip fruits and other items.
• Butter: Use unsalted butter or reduce the amount of salt in the recipe.
• Corn syrup: This is optional but recommended. It helps prevent the chocolate from crystallizing and keeps the fondue smooth and shiny.
• Vanilla extract: This adds depth of flavor.
• Salt: A small amount of salt, about ⅛ teaspoon, balances the sweetness and enhances the chocolate flavor.
• Dippers: Fresh fruit (strawberries, bananas, pineapple, apples, cherries), cookies (Oreos, peanut butter cookies, brownies), cake (pound cake, angel food cake, donuts), salty snacks (pretzels, potato chips, bacon, crackers), marshmallows, and more!

Prep

• Lightly grease your slow cooker with nonstick cooking spray.
• Combine the chocolate, cream, milk, butter, corn syrup (if using), vanilla extract, and salt in the slow cooker.
• Cover and cook on low heat for 1-2 hours, stirring occasionally. The fondue is ready when the chocolate is completely melted and smooth.
• If desired, add a small amount of alcohol, such as bourbon, liqueur, or brandy.
• Turn the slow cooker to the warm setting and serve with your chosen dippers.

Your chocolate fondue is now ready to enjoy!

Cooking method

Making chocolate fondue in a crock pot is a simple process. The first step is to gather your ingredients. Most recipes suggest using chocolate chips, but you can also use chopped chocolate bars. It is recommended to use good-quality chocolate, such as Ghirardelli or Guittard brands. You can use a combination of semi-sweet, dark, milk, or bittersweet chocolate to suit your taste. Some recipes also include additional ingredients like heavy cream or milk, butter, corn syrup, vanilla extract, and a pinch of salt.

Once you have your ingredients, lightly grease the inside of your slow cooker with nonstick cooking spray. This will make cleanup easier and help prevent the chocolate from sticking.

Next, add all your ingredients to the slow cooker and gently stir them together. Place the lid on the slow cooker and set it to cook on a low heat setting. The cooking time will vary depending on your crock pot, but most recipes suggest cooking for around 1 hour, stirring occasionally, until the chocolate is completely melted and smooth.

Once the chocolate is fully melted, you can add any additional ingredients, such as alcohol or liqueur, if desired. Then, turn the slow cooker to the warm setting to keep the fondue at the ideal serving temperature.

You can serve the fondue directly from the crock pot, or you can transfer it to a traditional fondue pot with a candle or canned heat to keep it warm.

Dippers

The fun part about fondue is choosing what to dip into the chocolate! Here are some popular options:

• Fresh fruit: Strawberries, bananas, pineapple, apple slices, cherries, oranges, mango, pears, and grapes
• Cookies: Oreos, Girl Scout Cookies, Nutter Butters, oatmeal cookies, chocolate chip cookies, peanut butter cookies, pirouettes
• Cake: Pound cake, angel food cake, donut holes, brownies, rice krispie treats, granola bars, cake or cheesecake topping
• Crackers and pretzels: Sweet or savory crackers, pretzels, potato chips, Ritz crackers
• Marshmallows: Large marshmallows, or for a s'mores treat, dip marshmallows into the chocolate and then into crushed graham crackers
• Other treats: Bacon, croissants, brownies, peanut brittle, mini coconut macaroons, graham crackers, Twinkies, truffles, caramels, Rice Krispie treats, potato chips, brownies, donut holes, croissants, Ritz crackers, Oreos, Nutter Butters, peanut butter cookies, pirouettes, oatmeal cookies, chocolate chip cookies, bacon, and more!

Serving suggestions

Chocolate fondue is a versatile dessert that can be served with a variety of dippers, ranging from fresh fruit to cookies and salty snacks. Here are some specific suggestions for what to serve with your chocolate fondue:

• Fresh fruit: Strawberries, bananas, pineapple, mango, apples, pears, cherries, grapes, oranges, and apple slices are all great options.
• Cake: Pound cake, angel food cake, donut holes, and brownies are perfect for dipping.
• Cookies: Oreos, Girl Scout Cookies, Nutter Butters, oatmeal cookies, chocolate chip cookies, peanut butter cookies, and pirouettes are all tasty choices.
• Sweet and salty snacks: Pretzels, potato chips, bacon, Ritz crackers, and croissants offer a delightful contrast to the sweet chocolate.
• Marshmallows: Large marshmallows are perfect for dipping and can even be coated in crushed graham crackers for a s'mores-inspired treat.
• Other treats: Rice Krispie treats, granola bars, graham crackers, peanut brittle, caramels, and Twinkies are also excellent choices for dipping into chocolate fondue.

When choosing dippers, consider a variety of textures and flavours to enhance the overall experience. It is also a good idea to provide a range of options to accommodate different dietary needs and preferences, such as vegan or gluten-free options.

For a fun presentation, create a charcuterie board with an assortment of dippers arranged around the crockpot of warm chocolate fondue. This allows guests to easily access their favourite treats and creates a visually appealing display.

Additionally, feel free to experiment with different types of chocolate and add-ins to create unique fondue flavours. For example, you can add peanut butter, cinnamon, ancho chilli pepper, or peppermint extract to the melted chocolate for a fun twist.

Storing and reheating

If you want to keep your fondue warm for several hours, you can leave it in the slow cooker on the 'warm' setting.

Variations

There are several ways to vary the classic chocolate fondue recipe to suit your taste. Here are some ideas for different types of chocolate fondue you can make in your crockpot:

Dark Chocolate Fondue

Swap out the bittersweet chocolate for semi-sweet chocolate. This variation has a deeper, richer flavour and is perfect for those who prefer their chocolate on the darker side.

Peanut Butter Chocolate Fondue

Add creamy peanut butter to your chocolate fondue for a delicious, nutty twist. You can also stir in additional peanut butter once the chocolate has melted for an extra-strong peanut butter flavour.

Mexican Chocolate Fondue

Add a touch of spice to your fondue by mixing in cinnamon and ancho chilli pepper. This variation is perfect for those who like a little kick to their dessert.

Toffee Chocolate Fondue

Add toffee bits to your chocolate fondue for a sweet and crunchy treat. This variation is perfect for those who like their chocolate with a bit of texture.

Peppermint Chocolate Fondue

Add peppermint extract to your chocolate fondue for a refreshing, minty flavour. You can adjust the amount of extract to suit your taste preferences.

White Chocolate Fondue

Swap out the milk and dark chocolate for white chocolate. This variation is perfect for those who prefer their chocolate on the sweeter side.

Alcoholic Chocolate Fondue

Add a splash of your favourite liquor to the fondue. Try using bourbon, orange liqueur, coffee liqueur, or hazelnut liqueur for a fun and boozy twist.

Frequently asked questions