Creating Decadent Dark Chocolate Fondue: A Simple Guide

Chocolate fondue is a fun and interactive dessert that's perfect for any occasion, from a romantic dinner for two to a kid's party. It's easy to make and only requires a few simple ingredients: chocolate, cream, and a pinch of salt. The key to making delicious dark chocolate fondue is to use high-quality chocolate and to heat the cream slowly over medium heat to avoid scorching. You can also add a touch of vanilla extract and a pinch of espresso powder to enhance the flavour. Once you've melted the chocolate and cream together, simply transfer it to a fondue pot and enjoy dipping your favourite treats!

Choosing the right chocolate

Type of Chocolate

The type of chocolate you choose will depend on your taste preferences and the desired intensity of the dark chocolate flavour. You can opt for bittersweet or semisweet chocolate, or a combination of both. Bittersweet chocolate will give a deeper, more intense flavour, while semisweet chocolate will make the fondue slightly sweeter. If you prefer a less sweet fondue, you can also include unsweetened baking chocolate in your mix.

Quality of Chocolate

When making chocolate fondue, it is essential to use high-quality chocolate. Look for pure chocolate with a high cocoa content. Avoid chocolate chips, as they often contain artificial ingredients, affecting the flavour, and they tend to harden quickly. Opt for chocolate bars instead, which you can chop into small pieces. Choose well-known brands that are widely available, such as Ghirardelli or Guittard, to ensure a smooth and creamy melt.

Combinations

Using a combination of different chocolates will result in a richer, more complex flavour. You can experiment with various types of dark, milk, or semi-sweet chocolate to find the perfect blend. For a unique twist, you can even add in some white chocolate to make it creamier, but remember to adjust the amount of cream in your recipe to thin out the consistency.

Quantity

The amount of chocolate you need will depend on the number of people you are serving and their appetites! As a guide, a standard serving size for chocolate fondue is around 1-2 ounces (28-57g) of chocolate per person. However, it is always better to have a little extra, so aim for slightly more than this to ensure everyone can indulge their sweet tooth!

Add-Ins

While the primary ingredient is, of course, chocolate, you can also add a few extra ingredients to enhance the flavour and make it truly unique. A pinch of salt can bring out the chocolate's sweetness, while a small amount of espresso powder can add depth to the flavour. For a fruity twist, add some orange zest, or a hint of peppermint extract for a refreshing kick.

Melting the chocolate

Firstly, it is important to use real, high-quality chocolate bars. Chocolate chips do not work as well in fondue as they are not pure chocolate and can harden quickly. Chop the chocolate into small pieces.

Next, combine the chocolate with a liquid such as cream, milk, or butter in a saucepan or fondue pot. The liquid you use will depend on your desired consistency and taste. For example, whole milk will create a sweeter fondue than semi-skimmed milk. You can also add a pinch of salt to enhance the flavour.

Place the pot on low heat and stir occasionally until the chocolate is fully melted. Do not let the fondue come to a simmer or boil as this can scorch the chocolate and make the texture grainy. Instead, heat the mixture until tiny bubbles start to form and it begins to slowly simmer.

Once the chocolate is melted, remove it from the heat and stir in your desired flavourings such as vanilla extract, orange zest, or cinnamon.

Adding extra flavours

There are many ways to add extra flavours to your dark chocolate fondue. Here are some ideas:

Peppermint Fondue

Add peppermint extract to your fondue for a refreshing twist. Start with 1/4 teaspoon and increase according to taste. This variation is especially good for the holidays.

Mexican Hot Chocolate Fondue

Add a 1/2 teaspoon each of cinnamon and ancho chile pepper to your fondue for a spicy and warming flavour.

Grown-Up Fondue

Add a splash of liqueur to your fondue for a more adult treat. Try Amaretto or Bailey's Irish Cream, or for a hazelnut twist, use Frangelico.

Fruity Chocolate Fondue

Add some orange zest to your fondue to create a slightly fruity flavour. Or, for a more subtle twist, steep a bag of Earl Grey tea in the cream for an hour before making your fondue.

Nutty Fondue

For a crunchy and creamy fondue, add 1/2 cup of chopped hazelnuts to the mixture. Replace any brandy with hazelnut liqueur for an extra nutty kick.

Dippers to use

There are endless options for dippers to use with your dark chocolate fondue. Here are some ideas to get you started:

Fruits

Any kind of fruit will work, but some popular choices include:

• Strawberries
• Bananas
• Pineapple
• Apples
• Oranges
• Grapes
• Cherries
• Melon
• Mangoes
• Kiwi
• Dragon fruit
• Papaya
• Coconut chunks

Dried fruits are also a great option, such as:

• Apricots
• Figs
• Dates
• Dried mangoes or pineapples

Sweet Treats

If you want something a little more indulgent, try dipping:

• Marshmallows
• Brownies
• Cookies (Oreos, biscotti, shortbread, etc.)
• Cake (pound cake, angel food cake, red velvet cake, etc.)
• Rice Krispie treats
• Cheesecake
• Donuts
• Mini pancakes or waffles
• Fudge
• Honeycomb
• Candy bars (such as Toberlone or Symphony bars)

Savoury Options

For a contrast of sweet and salty, try:

• Pretzels
• Potato chips
• Bread (artisanal bread, cinnamon rolls, raisin bread, etc.)
• Popcorn (sweet, salty, or a mix of both)
• Nuts (larger nuts are easier to skewer)

Keeping the fondue warm

Keeping your chocolate fondue warm is essential to the experience. Here are some ways to ensure your fondue stays warm and enjoyable:

Fondue Pot

The most common way to keep fondue warm is by using a fondue pot. These pots are designed to keep the chocolate at a consistent temperature while you dip your favourite treats. There are three main types of fondue pots: metal, ceramic, and electric. Metal fondue pots are usually made of stainless steel or enameled cast iron. They are sturdy and can go directly from the stovetop to your table. Ceramic fondue pots are great at retaining heat and are easy to clean. Some ceramic pots are microwave and stovetop safe. Electric fondue pots are the safest and fastest to heat up, as they don't require a flame. However, they are more expensive and need to be plugged into an outlet.

Tea Candles

If you don't have a fondue pot, you can use a tea candle to keep your chocolate fondue warm. Tea candles produce less heat than canned Sterno fuel, so they are a good option if you don't want your fondue to get too hot. Just be sure to keep an eye on it and add a little more cream if it starts to get too thick.

Sterno Fuel

Sterno fuel can also be used to keep your fondue warm, but it burns very hot, so you'll need to keep a close eye on it. If it gets too hot, turn it off or partially cover the can with the lid. You can also adjust the temperature by adding more cream to the fondue.

Small Slow Cooker or Crockpot

Another option for keeping your fondue warm is to use a small slow cooker or crockpot. This method will keep your fondue at a consistent temperature without the risk of it getting too hot.

Heating Pad or Hot Water Bath

If you made your fondue in a saucepan, you can keep it warm by placing the saucepan on a heating pad or over a bowl of very hot, just-boiled water. This method will help maintain the temperature of the fondue without requiring additional heat sources.

Remember, chocolate fondue doesn't need to stay extremely warm to be delicious. Even as it cools, it will remain soft and perfect for dipping. So, don't worry too much about keeping it piping hot—just focus on maintaining a warm, dippable consistency.

Frequently asked questions