Making Chocolate Fondue With Fruit: A Decadent Delight

Chocolate fondue is a fun and easy dessert to make, and it's a great way to get your family and friends together. The basic recipe involves melting chocolate and adding cream, and you can adjust the consistency by adding more cream or milk. You can also experiment with different types of chocolate, such as bittersweet, semi-sweet, or white chocolate, and add extra flavours like vanilla extract, liqueur, or peanut butter. Fruit is a popular choice for dipping in chocolate fondue, especially strawberries, bananas, and orange segments. However, you can also dip cookies, cake, marshmallows, and even pretzels!

Choosing your chocolate

Choosing the right chocolate is an important step in making chocolate fondue. The chocolate you use will determine the flavour and texture of the fondue.

It is recommended to use a premium chocolate with at least 60% cacao for a deep chocolate flavour. Bittersweet or semisweet chocolate chips are a good option, as they melt well and have a rich flavour. Ghirardelli, Guittard, and Baker's are recommended brands. If you can't find these brands, it's best to opt for a chocolate baking bar, as these tend to melt better than chocolate chips. Avoid using store-brand chocolate or composite chocolate-like flavours, as these will not produce the best results.

For a creamier and lighter fondue, you can add some white chocolate to your mixture. If you're using white chocolate, opt for a high-quality brand, as white chocolate chips don't tend to melt well. You can also add a touch of heavy cream to thin out the mixture if needed.

If you prefer a darker fondue, simply add more dark chocolate to the mixture. You can also experiment with different types of chocolate, such as milk chocolate or a combination of milk chocolate and semi-sweet chocolate.

Additionally, you can adjust the flavour of your fondue by adding extracts such as vanilla, orange, or peppermint. For a grown-up version, you can add liqueurs such as Grand Marnier or amaretto.

Selecting fruit to dip

When it comes to choosing fruit for your chocolate fondue, fresh, seasonal, and ripe fruit is always the best option. Look for fruit that is colourful and fragrant, avoiding any that seem dull or bruised. You can also use frozen fruit, but be sure to thaw it completely before dipping.

Some of the most popular fruits for chocolate fondue include strawberries, bananas, pineapple, apples, pears, oranges, and dried fruits such as apricots, mangoes, and papaya. These fruits provide a nice contrast of flavours and textures when paired with chocolate. For something different, you could also try dipping citrus fruits such as tangerines, grapefruit, or kumquats. If you want to get creative, separate the citrus into segments without breaking the membrane, and place them in a warm oven to dry out. This will create a unique texture where the membrane becomes crisp, and the juices burst in your mouth!

Another thing to consider is the size and shape of the fruit. You want to make sure the fruit is easy to dip and eat. Cut the fruit into bite-sized pieces or chunks that can be easily picked up and dipped into the chocolate. If you're using skewers, make sure the fruit pieces are large enough that they don't fall off the skewer.

You can also experiment with different combinations of fruits and chocolates. For example, try dipping strawberries in white chocolate fondue or bananas in dark chocolate fondue. You can even add extra ingredients to your chocolate fondue, such as a pinch of cinnamon or chilli for a Mexican spin, or a splash of liqueur for a more grown-up treat.

So, when selecting fruit to dip in chocolate fondue, look for fresh, seasonal fruits that are ripe and colourful. Cut them into easy-to-eat pieces and don't be afraid to get creative with your combinations!

Melting the chocolate

Firstly, prepare your chocolate of choice. It is recommended to use good-quality chocolate, with brands such as Ghirardelli, Guittard, or Baker's being popular choices. Chopped chocolate or chocolate chips can be used, but it is important to note that not all brands of chocolate chips melt well. If you opt for chocolate chips, choose a higher-end brand to ensure better melting. You can also experiment with different types of chocolate, such as bittersweet, semi-sweet, white chocolate, or a combination of these, to create a unique flavour profile.

Next, prepare your equipment. You can use a fondue pot or a heavy-bottom saucepan. If using a fondue pot, ensure it is a stovetop-proof one. You will also need a heat source, such as a gas or electric stove, or a tea light for a fondue pot. If you don't have a fondue pot, you can use a regular saucepan and place it on a heating pad or over a bowl of very hot water to keep the chocolate warm. Additionally, you will need a glass or metal bowl if creating a double boiler.

Now, it's time to melt the chocolate! If using a double boiler, bring a small saucepan of water to a gentle simmer and place the glass or metal bowl on top, ensuring the water does not touch the bowl. Add the chocolate to the bowl and stir until it is completely melted and smooth. Alternatively, combine the chocolate with milk, cream, or both in your fondue pot or saucepan and heat it over low heat, stirring frequently. Do not let the mixture come to a boil, as this can ruin the texture of the chocolate. Continue heating and stirring until the chocolate is fully melted, glossy, and smooth.

Once the chocolate is melted, you can enhance the flavour by adding vanilla extract, a pinch of salt, or other extracts like orange or peppermint. Give the mixture a good stir to incorporate the additional ingredients. If you prefer a thinner consistency, you can whisk in additional cream or milk gradually until you achieve the desired texture.

Finally, transfer the melted chocolate to your fondue pot if you haven't already done so, and keep it warm over medium-low heat. If using a tea light fondue pot, be sure to stir the fondue occasionally to prevent burning. Your chocolate fondue is now ready to be served with your favourite fruits and other dippers!

Adding extra flavours

Chocolate fondue is a fun and easy dessert to make, and you can add extra flavours to the chocolate to make it even more special. Here are some ideas to get you started:

Peppermint Chocolate Fondue:

Start with a small amount of peppermint extract (around 1/4 teaspoon) and increase according to taste. This will give your fondue a refreshing and minty flavour.

Mexican Chocolate Fondue:

Add a 1/2 teaspoon each of cinnamon and ancho chile pepper to give your fondue a spicy and warming kick. It's a great way to add some heat to your dessert.

Grown-up Chocolate Fondue:

For a more indulgent and adult version, add a splash of your favourite liqueur. Amaretto, Bailey's Irish Cream, or a good pinch of espresso powder will give your fondue a sophisticated twist.

Fruity Chocolate Fondue:

Add some orange zest to your chocolate to create a slightly fruity and tangy flavour. Alternatively, steep some aromatics like a bruised lemongrass stalk or a bag of Earl Grey tea in the cream for an hour before making your fondue for a subtle and stylish flavour.

White Chocolate Fondue:

White chocolate fondue is a nice change from the traditional dark or milk chocolate. Spike it with a little liquor or citrus zest for an extra touch of elegance.

Marshmallow Fondue:

Add a couple of spoonfuls of marshmallow fluff into the chocolate fondue and swirl it around. Leave some streaks of marshmallow for a pretty presentation.

Peanut Butter Fondue:

Add a few spoonfuls of peanut butter to your chocolate fondue and swirl to combine. Leave some streaks of peanut butter visible for a tasty and crunchy treat.

Feel free to experiment with different flavours and combinations to create your own unique chocolate fondue!

Serving suggestions

Chocolate fondue is a fun and interactive dessert that can be served at parties, intimate dinners, or even as a treat for yourself. The options for dippers are endless, but here are some ideas to get you started:

Fruits

• Strawberries
• Bananas
• Pineapple (fresh or dried)
• Apples
• Pears
• Oranges (segments or tangerines)
• Apricots (fresh or dried)
• Mango (fresh or dried)
• Papaya (fresh or dried)
• Cherries
• Kiwi
• Peaches
• Plums
• Figs
• Grapefruit
• Kumquats
• Citrus fruits (dried)

Sweet Treats

• Marshmallows
• Brownies
• Cookies (vanilla wafers, Oreos, graham crackers, etc.)
• Cakes (pound cake, angel food cake, etc.)
• Rice Krispie treats
• Pretzels
• Potato chips
• Candy (peanut brittle, licorice, jelly beans, etc.)
• Biscotti
• Cinnamon bears
• Meringues
• Ladyfingers
• Nilla wafers
• Animal crackers
• Dried fruits (figs, apricots, etc.)

Savoury Treats

• Salty pretzels
• Toasted shaved almonds
• Toasted coconut
• Slivered almonds
• Crushed hazelnuts

Customisations

You can also customise your chocolate fondue by adding extra ingredients to the chocolate mixture. Here are some ideas:

• A pinch of salt
• Peppermint extract
• Cinnamon and chilli powder
• Amaretto or Bailey's Irish cream
• Orange zest
• White chocolate with a dash of liquor or citrus zest
• Steep aromatics like a bruised lemongrass stalk or Earl Grey tea bag in the cream beforehand for subtle flavour

Frequently asked questions