Chocolate Fondue Without A Fondue Pot: A Simple Guide

Chocolate fondue is a fun and interactive dessert that can be made without a fondue pot. It is simple to make and only requires a few basic ingredients, such as chocolate, cream, and a pinch of salt. The type of chocolate used is important, as not all brands of chocolate chips melt well. To make chocolate fondue without a fondue pot, you can use a regular pot placed on an oven mitt or a small slow cooker to keep the fondue warm. Alternatively, you can use a tea candle or Sterno fuel to keep the chocolate warm, but these require careful monitoring to prevent overheating. The fondue can also be made in advance and reheated gently when needed. Various dipping options, such as fruits, cakes, cookies, and marshmallows, can be prepared ahead of time, making chocolate fondue a versatile and enjoyable dessert experience.

Using a microwave

Making chocolate fondue in a microwave is a quick and easy process. Here is a step-by-step guide:

Firstly, gather your ingredients. You will need chocolate, and you can use a variety of types such as milk, dark, or white chocolate. Chopped chocolate or good-quality chocolate chips are best. You will also need a liquid such as milk, cream, or butter, and you can add flavourings such as vanilla, cinnamon, or chilli powder.

Next, prepare your equipment. You will need a large microwave-safe bowl and a smaller bowl or saucepan. You will also need something to stir with, such as a whisk or a spoon.

Now, it's time to start making your fondue! Combine your chocolate and liquid in the large bowl. You will need around 10 ounces of chocolate and 1/2 to 3/4 cup of liquid. You can add a small amount of butter to your mixture if you like, which will give a softer, mellower flavour.

Place the bowl in the microwave and heat on high for one minute. Then, remove the bowl from the microwave and allow the mixture to rest for one minute. After this, stir the mixture delicately for another minute. At this stage, the chocolate might not look fully melted, but don't worry!

Repeat the process of heating, resting, and stirring until the chocolate is completely smooth and combined. Be careful not to overheat the chocolate, as it can scorch and become grainy.

Once your fondue is smooth, you can add any extra flavourings, such as a teaspoon of vanilla extract. Stir these through gently.

Now your fondue is ready to serve! Transfer it to a clean bowl and serve immediately with your chosen dippers. You can use fruit, cake, marshmallows, or anything else you like!

If your fondue starts to thicken or cool, you can reheat it gently in the microwave. Just heat it in short bursts on medium power, stirring after each burst, until it is smooth and warm again.

Using a saucepan

Making chocolate fondue in a saucepan is a simple process. Here is a step-by-step guide:

First, prepare your ingredients. You will need chocolate, a liquid such as cream or milk, and any additional flavourings like vanilla, cinnamon, or liqueur. For the chocolate, opt for chopped chocolate or good-quality chocolate chips. Bittersweet or semisweet chocolate works well, and brands like Ghirardelli, Guittard, and Lindt are recommended. You can also get creative and use chocolate bars with fillings, such as Toblerone, for added texture.

Next, combine your chocolate and liquid in the saucepan. For every 10 ounces (283 grams) of chocolate, use 1/3 cup of milk or cream. You can also add a small amount of butter to enhance the texture. Place the saucepan on the stove and heat it over low heat. Stir the mixture occasionally to prevent the chocolate from scorching and ensure even melting. Do not let the fondue come to a simmer or boil, as this can affect the texture and cause it to become grainy.

Once the chocolate is fully melted, you will have a glossy, thick, and smooth mixture. At this point, you can stir in any additional flavourings, such as a teaspoon of vanilla extract. If you want to add a touch of alcohol, you can try brandy, or for a child-friendly version, use flavoured simple syrup.

If you prefer a thinner consistency, simply whisk in additional cream or milk gradually until you achieve your desired texture. Your fondue is now ready to serve!

Chocolate fondue can be served with a variety of dippers, such as fruit (strawberries, bananas, oranges), cakes (pound cake, brownies), cookies (vanilla cookies, graham crackers), and even salty pretzels for a sweet and savoury contrast. For a fun presentation, you can pour the fondue into individual ramekins, so each person has their own "pot" of warm chocolate. Enjoy your delicious creation!

Using a slow cooker

Making chocolate fondue in a slow cooker is easy and convenient. Here is a simple recipe to make chocolate fondue in a slow cooker, along with some tips to make the process even smoother.

Ingredients

• 12 oz. quality semisweet chocolate chips or coarsely chopped baker's chocolate
• 4 oz. quality bittersweet chocolate chips or coarsely chopped baker's chocolate
• 2 tablespoons unsalted butter, cubed
• 2 tablespoons light corn syrup (optional but recommended)
• 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
• A pinch of salt (optional)
• Assorted dippers (see below for ideas)

Method

• Lightly grease the slow cooker with nonstick cooking spray.
• Add all the ingredients, except the dippers, to the slow cooker and gently stir.
• Cover and cook on LOW for about an hour, stirring occasionally. The fondue is ready when the chocolate is completely melted and smooth.
• Turn the slow cooker to WARM and serve with assorted dippers.

Tips

• Grease the slow cooker: Lightly spraying the slow cooker with nonstick cooking spray will make cleanup easier and help prevent the fondue from sticking. Alternatively, you can use a crockpot liner, but it may not look as appealing when serving.
• Use quality chocolate: Opt for Guittard or Ghirardelli chocolate, or a baking chocolate bar. Lower-quality chocolate may not melt as well and can become grainy.
• Stir often: Stirring helps the chocolate melt evenly. Stir the mixture every 15-20 minutes.
• Pay attention: Each slow cooker is different, so keep an eye on your chocolate to prevent it from overcooking, burning, or scalding.
• Turn to WARM or off: As soon as the chocolate is smooth and completely melted, turn the slow cooker to WARM or off if it seems too hot. It's better to rewarm the fondue than to burn it.
• Double or triple the recipe: You can make a larger batch in a 6-quart slow cooker, but be sure to stir more frequently, about every 10-15 minutes, to ensure even melting.

Variations

You can customise the chocolate fondue to your taste:

• Dark Chocolate Fondue: Use 12 oz. semi-sweet chocolate and omit the bittersweet chocolate.
• Peanut Butter Chocolate Fondue: Omit the bittersweet chocolate and add ½ cup of creamy peanut butter (not natural). You can add more peanut butter to taste once the chocolate has melted.
• Mexican Chocolate Fondue: Add ½ teaspoon of cinnamon and ancho chilli pepper.
• Toffee Chocolate Fondue: Add ¼ cup of toffee bits (Heath Bits O'Brickle) to the fondue.
• Peppermint Chocolate Fondue: Stir in 1 teaspoon of peppermint extract once the chocolate has melted. Add more to taste if desired.

Dippers

The fun part about fondue is experimenting with different dippers. Here are some ideas to get you started:

• Fresh fruit: Strawberries, bananas, pineapples, mangoes, oranges, apples, pears, and cherries.
• Cookies: Oreos, Girl Scout Cookies, Nutter Butters, pirouettes, oatmeal cookies, chocolate chip cookies, peanut butter cookies, etc.
• Treats: Pound cake, donut holes, brownies, cream puffs, rice krispie treats, marshmallows, eclairs, caramels, peanut brittle, mini coconut macaroons, Graham crackers, etc.
• Salty/savory snacks: Pretzels, potato chips, bacon, Ritz crackers, croissants.

Using a candle warmer

If you don't have a fondue pot, you can use a candle warmer to make chocolate fondue. Here's a step-by-step guide:

Step 1: Prepare the Ingredients and Equipment

• Gather your desired chocolate (bittersweet or semisweet chocolate chips, or chopped chocolate), milk or cream, and any additional flavourings such as vanilla extract, brandy, or butter.
• Prepare your dippers by cutting fruits, cakes, or other treats into bite-sized pieces. Some popular options include strawberries, bananas, marshmallows, and pretzels.
• Ensure you have a candle warmer, a small saucepan, and a heat source such as a stove or hot plate.

Step 2: Melt the Chocolate

• Place the chocolate, milk or cream, and any additional ingredients in the saucepan.
• Heat the mixture over low heat, stirring occasionally, until the chocolate is completely melted and smooth. Do not let the mixture come to a simmer or boil, as this can affect the texture.
• Once melted, remove the saucepan from the heat.

Step 3: Use the Candle Warmer

• Transfer the melted chocolate mixture to a heat-safe dish that fits safely and securely on your candle warmer.
• Light the candle and place the dish on top of the warmer. The flame from the candle will keep the fondue warm and melted.
• Stir the fondue occasionally to prevent scorching and maintain a smooth consistency.

Step 4: Serve and Enjoy

• Set out your desired dippers on a platter or individual plates.
• Provide fondue forks, bamboo skewers, or long toothpicks for your guests to use.
• Enjoy dipping your treats into the warm, melted chocolate!

Remember to monitor the candle warmer during use and keep an eye on the temperature of the fondue. If the fondue starts to stiffen, you can add a small amount of warm milk or cream to thin it out.

Using a double boiler

Making chocolate fondue using a double boiler is simple. First, heat about an inch of water in a medium-sized saucepan on medium heat and bring it to a low simmer. While the water is heating up, chop your chocolate into half-inch chunks and place them into a heatproof bowl. You can use dark chocolate, milk chocolate, or a mixture of both. Add heavy cream, vanilla, and a pinch of salt to the bowl. Place the bowl on top of the pan and gently stir the mixture until all the chocolate is melted. If you want to thin out the fondue, simply whisk in additional cream or milk.

Once the fondue is ready, pour it into a serving bowl and serve with your favourite dippers. You can also transfer it to a fondue pot and heat the fuel underneath to keep it warm over medium-low heat. If you don't have a fondue pot, you can use a regular pot and place an oven mitt on the table to protect the surface from the heat.

Some great dippers for chocolate fondue include fruit (strawberries, bananas, pineapple, dried apricots, apples, pears, etc.), cakes and pastries (brownies, pound cake, angel food cake, etc.), cookies and crackers (rice krispie treats, graham crackers, oreos, etc.), and salty snacks (pretzels, potato chips, etc.).

Frequently asked questions