Chocolate Fondue: A Quick, Easy, And Delicious Treat

Chocolate fondue is a fun and easy dessert to make for a party or a romantic meal at home. It's an interactive dessert that allows everyone to choose their favourite dippers, from fruit to cake to biscuits. The fondue itself is simple to make, requiring only a few ingredients such as chocolate, cream, and a pinch of salt. You can also add extra flavours such as peppermint extract, cinnamon, or liquor. While a fondue pot is ideal for keeping the chocolate warm, it's not necessary; a regular pot or a slow cooker will also work.

Choosing the right chocolate

Type of Chocolate

The most common types of chocolate used for fondue are semi-sweet chocolate, bittersweet chocolate, and milk chocolate. You can also use dark chocolate or white chocolate, or a combination of different chocolates to create a unique flavour. Experimenting with different types of chocolate will allow you to find the perfect balance of sweetness and bitterness for your taste.

Chocolate Chips vs Chocolate Bars

While chocolate chips are convenient, they may not be the best option for fondue. Chocolate chips are designed to maintain their shape and texture, even when heated, which can result in a fondue that is too thick or grainy. Additionally, chocolate chips often contain other ingredients besides chocolate, which can affect the flavour and melting process. Therefore, it is generally recommended to use chocolate bars or baking chocolate for fondue, as they melt more smoothly and produce a richer, more decadent fondue.

Brand of Chocolate

When it comes to brand selection, it's essential to choose a reputable brand known for its high-quality chocolate. Brands like Ghirardelli, Guittard, Dove, Godiva, and Hershey are popular choices for chocolate fondue. These brands offer a wide range of chocolate varieties, from semi-sweet to milk chocolate, ensuring you can find the perfect flavour for your fondue.

Freshness of Chocolate

Always check the freshness of the chocolate before purchasing. Fresh chocolate will melt more smoothly and produce a silkier fondue. Avoid chocolate that appears ashy or has been sitting on the shelf for too long, as it may not melt properly and could affect the overall taste and texture of your fondue.

Additional Ingredients

When selecting chocolate, consider any additional ingredients you may want to add to your fondue. For example, if you plan to add cream, milk, or butter to your fondue, choose a chocolate that will complement these ingredients. Additionally, if you want to add extracts, liqueurs, or spices, choose a chocolate that will serve as a good base for these flavours.

In conclusion, choosing the right chocolate for your fondue involves considering the type of chocolate, the brand, the freshness, and how it will interact with other ingredients. By selecting a high-quality chocolate that meets your taste preferences, you can create a delicious and decadent chocolate fondue that your family and friends will love.

What to dip in the fondue

Chocolate fondue is a fun and interactive dessert that can be enjoyed by people of all ages. While fruit is a popular choice for dipping, there are endless possibilities for what you can dip in chocolate fondue. Here are some ideas to get you started:

Fresh Fruit

Fruit is a classic choice for chocolate fondue and for good reason. The sweetness of the fruit pairs perfectly with the creamy chocolate. Strawberries, bananas, and pineapple are always a hit, but you can also try more unusual choices like blackberries, raspberries, mango, papaya, or dried apricots. If you're feeling adventurous, dip some citrus segments such as tangerine or orange into your fondue. Just be sure to avoid tiny fruits like blueberries, as they may not hold up well to the weight of the chocolate.

Dried Fruit

In addition to fresh fruit, dried fruit also tastes delicious when dipped in chocolate fondue. This option is a great choice if you want to prepare your dip-ables in advance, as it will last longer than fresh fruit. Try dried mango, pineapple, or apricots for a chewy and sweet treat.

Cookies and Baked Goods

Cookies and baked goods are perfect for dipping in chocolate fondue, as they provide a contrast in texture and flavour. Shortbread cookies, Oreos, gingerbread biscuits, custard creams, biscotti, and pink wafers are all excellent choices. For a real indulgent treat, try dipping brownies, mini donuts, mini cakes, or cupcakes into your fondue.

Marshmallows

Marshmallows and chocolate are a match made in heaven. Be sure to use larger marshmallows, as they will be easier to dip. If you're feeling extra indulgent, sandwich a chocolate-dipped marshmallow between two graham crackers for a makeshift s'more.

Pretzels and Potato Chips

For a salty and sweet combination, try dipping pretzels or potato chips into your chocolate fondue. These sturdy snacks can handle the weight of the chocolate without breaking, and the salty flavour pairs surprisingly well with the sweet chocolate.

Cheesecake

For a delicate and indulgent treat, try dipping slices or cubes of cheesecake into your chocolate fondue. Just be careful, as this is one of the more delicate dip-ables and may break if you're not careful.

Other Ideas

• Rice Krispie treats
• Honeycomb
• Popcorn
• Fudge
• Mini pancakes or waffles
• Nuts
• Cheesy bread
• Ice cream balls
• Peanut butter-filled pretzels
• Peanut butter cookies
• Brownies
• Angel food cake
• Pound cake

How to make the fondue

Making chocolate fondue is a simple and fun way to create a unique dessert experience. Here is a step-by-step guide on how to make the fondue:

Ingredients:

• Chocolate: Use good-quality chocolate, such as chopped chocolate or chocolate chips. You can use semi-sweet, milk, dark, or white chocolate, or a combination of these. Avoid using chocolate chips as they don't melt well and can affect the taste.
• Cream: Heavy whipping cream is recommended for the best consistency.
• Milk: Whole milk is preferred, but you can adjust based on your preference and desired thickness.
• Salt: A pinch of salt will enhance the flavour.
• Vanilla extract: This adds a subtle vanilla flavour to the fondue.

Optional Ingredients:

• Cinnamon: A small amount of cinnamon can add a spicy touch to your fondue.
• Chilli: For a Mexican-inspired fondue, add a pinch of chilli powder.
• Liqueur: For adults, a dash of liqueur such as Grand Marnier, amaretto, or Irish cream can be a tasty addition.
• Peanut butter: Swirl in some peanut butter for a unique, nutty flavour.
• Marshmallow fluff: Adding a couple of spoonfuls of marshmallow fluff creates a creamy, sweet fondue.

Utensils:

• Fondue pot: A fondue pot is ideal for keeping the chocolate warm during dipping. If you don't have one, you can use a regular pot placed on an oven mitt, a small slow cooker, or a crockpot.
• Saucepan: A medium-sized saucepan is perfect for melting the chocolate and cream.
• Glass or metal bowl: For creating a double boiler.
• Whisk or spoon: For stirring the ingredients.
• Skewers or fondue forks: For dipping items into the chocolate.

Method:

• Prepare your chosen dippers. Popular options include fruit (strawberries, bananas, pineapple, etc.), cookies, brownies, marshmallows, and pretzels. Cut the fruit and other items into bite-sized pieces that can easily be skewered.
• In a saucepan, heat the cream and milk until steaming. Do not let it boil. You can also use a double boiler by placing a glass or metal bowl over a saucepan of simmering water.
• Add the chocolate to the heated cream and milk mixture. Continuously stir until the chocolate has completely melted and the mixture is smooth.
• Remove from the heat and stir in the vanilla extract and a pinch of salt, if desired.
• Transfer the chocolate fondue to a fondue pot or slow cooker to keep it warm while serving. You can also place it on a warm setting on the stove if serving immediately.
• Serve with your chosen dippers and enjoy!

Tips:

• If the fondue becomes too thick, stir in a small amount of milk to adjust the consistency.
• Chocolate fondue can be made in advance and reheated gently when needed.
• Experiment with different types of chocolate and add-ins to create your own unique flavour combinations.

How to keep the fondue warm

To keep your chocolate fondue warm, you have a few options. If you have a fondue pot, you can transfer your fondue to it and use the fuel underneath to keep it warm. If you don't have a fondue pot, you can use a tea candle, which produces less heat than canned Sterno fuel. You can also use a small slow cooker, a clean candle warmer, or a crockpot. If you're using a tea candle or canned Sterno fuel, be sure to keep an eye on the temperature of your fondue, as it can burn very hot. If it gets too hot, turn it off or partially cover the can with the lid. If your fondue becomes too thick, you can add a little more cream to thin it out and warm it up again.

How to thin the fondue

Making chocolate fondue is a fun and easy way to prepare an interactive dessert. It's important to note that it's much easier to make fondue thinner than it is to thicken it, so recipes often err on the side of thicker consistencies. Here are some tips for thinning your chocolate fondue:

Whisk in Additional Cream or Milk

Simply whisk in additional cream or milk, a little bit at a time, until you reach your desired consistency. This is the easiest and most common way to thin out fondue.

Add a Little Heat

Fondue will naturally thicken as it cools, so adding a little heat may be all you need to get it silky smooth again. You can do this by returning the fondue to the stove and stirring in a little hot cream, or by using a tea candle or small crockpot to keep it warm.

Use a Different Type of Chocolate

If you're making fondue from scratch, using a different type of chocolate can affect the consistency. Chocolate with a higher fat content, such as milk chocolate, will result in a thinner fondue.

Add a Thinning Agent

If your fondue is still too thick, you can add a thinning agent like vegetable oil, especially if you're planning to use it in a chocolate fountain. Just be aware that adding too much oil can affect the taste.

Frequently asked questions