Chocolate Fondue Weddings: A Sweet Guide To Melting Hearts

Chocolate fondue is a fun, interactive dessert that can be served at weddings. It is a great way to turn simple chocolate-covered items into a social event and a perfect way to get your guests gathered around the table. To make chocolate fondue, you will need chocolate, cream, and a pinch of salt. You can also add extra flavours to the chocolate, such as peppermint extract, cinnamon and chilli, or alcohol. A fondue pot is ideal for keeping the chocolate warm, but a regular pot or a crockpot can also be used. An assortment of fruits and sweets such as strawberries, bananas, marshmallows, and cookies can be offered as dippers.

Choosing the right chocolate

Chocolate fondue is a fun and interactive dessert that can be served at weddings. The chocolate you use is very important as it affects the taste and texture of the fondue. Here are some tips for choosing the right chocolate for your wedding chocolate fondue:

Type of Chocolate

You can use milk chocolate, semi-sweet or dark chocolate, or a combination of these, depending on your preference. White chocolate is also an option and can be spiked with liquor or citrus zest for a heavenly flavour. If you want to add a twist to your chocolate fondue, you can try adding some peppermint extract, cinnamon and chilli, or orange extract.

Quality of Chocolate

It is recommended to use the highest quality chocolate you can for the best flavour and texture. Good-quality chocolate will melt smoothly and have a rich, decadent taste. Avoid using artificial chocolate-like melting wafers, as these may not produce the best results.

Form of Chocolate

Chocolate bars are preferred over chocolate chips as they tend to melt better and not harden as quickly. If you do use chocolate chips, opt for higher-end brands like Ghirardelli or Guittard, as these melt well and have a superior taste.

Amount of Chocolate

The amount of chocolate you need will depend on the number of guests you are serving. As a guide, a standard chocolate fondue recipe uses 10-12 ounces of chocolate, which serves around 4-6 people. Adjust the recipe accordingly to ensure you have enough fondue for your wedding guests.

Storage of Chocolate

If you are making the fondue in advance, store the chocolate in a cool, dry place to prevent it from melting or spoiling.

Dippers for the Fondue

Finally, when choosing your chocolate, consider the dippers you will be offering. You can offer a variety of sweet and salty options, such as fruit, cookies, cake, and even potato chips! The chocolate you choose should complement the flavours of your selected dippers.

Preparing the fondue

Breaking the Chocolate

Begin by breaking your chosen chocolate into small pieces. You can use your fingers to break it up if the chocolate is soft enough, or use a sharp knife and a cutting board for denser varieties. Aim for pieces that are around 1⁄4–1⁄2 inch (0.64–1.27 cm) in size. If you are using chocolate chips or chocolate that is already in small pieces, there is no need to break it further.

Creating a Double Boiler

To melt the chocolate effectively, you will need to create a double boiler. Start by boiling 2–4 inches of water in a pot over medium-high heat. Place a heat-resistant mixing bowl on top of the pot, ensuring that it traps the steam. The bowl should be large enough to rest on the pot without falling in, and it is fine if the bottom touches the water, as long as it is not submerged.

Heating the Cream

Pour heavy cream into the mixing bowl and heat it for 1-2 minutes, stirring gently to ensure even heating. Be careful not to let the cream boil; if it starts to bubble, lower the heat. If you wish to add a festive touch to your fondue, you can add cinnamon sticks or ground cinnamon to the cream while it heats. For a Mexican chocolate fondue, steep the heated cream with ground cinnamon and ancho chilli pepper. Alternatively, steep with your favourite tea for an earthy flavour.

Adding the Chocolate

With the cream heated, it is now time to add the chocolate. Whisk the chocolate into the cream, stirring gently to avoid spilling. Continue stirring until all the chocolate has melted and the mixture is smooth. If the fondue seems too thick, you can thin it by whisking in additional heavy cream, a little at a time, until you achieve the desired consistency.

Adding Extracts and Alcohol

To round out the flavour of your fondue, stir in some vanilla extract. You can also experiment with other extracts, such as orange or peppermint, especially if you are using dark or bittersweet chocolate. For an adult twist, spike the fondue with a generous tablespoon of your favourite alcohol, such as brandy, rum, amaretto, or Bailey's Irish Cream. This will cut the sweetness of the chocolate and complement the other flavours.

Dippers and dippers preparation

There are endless options for dippers to serve with your chocolate fondue at a wedding. Here are some ideas to get you started:

Fruits

• Strawberries
• Bananas
• Pineapple
• Apples
• Cherries
• Grapes
• Kiwi
• Oranges
• Dried fruit (e.g. apricots, mango, papaya)
• Blueberries
• Raspberries
• Blackberries
• Melon
• Peaches
• Plums
• Pears

Pastries and Cakes

• Waffles
• Pancakes
• Churros
• Donuts
• Croissants
• Marshmallows
• Angel food cake
• Pound cake
• Sponge cake
• Carrot cake
• Red velvet cake
• Chocolate cake
• Fruit cake
• Wedding cake
• Cheesecake
• Brownies
• Fudge

Biscuits and Cookies

• Shortbread
• Digestives
• Gingerbread
• Ladyfingers
• Vanilla wafers
• Biscotti
• Oreos
• Peanut butter cookies
• Chocolate chip cookies
• Chocolate sandwich cookies
• Oatmeal raisin cookies
• Snickerdoodles
• Ginger snaps
• Meringues
• Fortune cookies

Nuts and Seeds

• Almonds
• Hazelnuts
• Walnuts
• Macadamias

Savouries

• Pretzels
• Potato crisps
• Bacon strips
• Sweetbreads
• Raisin bread
• Date bread
• Banana bread
• Pumpkin bread
• Zucchini bread
• Cinnamon rolls
• Potato chips

Extras

• Coconut pieces
• Peanut butter balls
• Turkish delight
• Sprinkles
• Nuts

Preparation

Most dippers can be prepared ahead of time. Cut fruits, cakes, and pastries into bite-sized pieces so that guests can easily dip and pop them into their mouths. For harder items like dried fruit, use tongs.

Fondue equipment

Fondue Pot

The fondue pot is a crucial component of your chocolate fondue setup. It keeps the chocolate warm and melted throughout the event. There are several types of fondue pots available:

• Metal Fondue Pots: These are usually made of stainless steel or enameled cast iron. They are sturdy, can go directly from the stovetop to the table, and are typically larger than other options. However, they can be heavy.
• Ceramic Fondue Pots: Ceramic pots are excellent for retaining heat and are available in various sizes. Some ceramic pots are microwave-safe and stovetop-compatible, making them versatile.
• Electric Fondue Pots: Electric pots are safer and heat up faster than other options since they don't use an open flame. They are easy to adjust but tend to be more expensive and require access to an electrical outlet.
• Chocolate Fountain: A chocolate fountain is a fun alternative to a traditional fondue pot. It creates a visually appealing display of flowing chocolate and can be a memorable addition to your wedding. Chocolate fountains are available in different sizes, and you can purchase or rent them for your event.

Heat Source

Depending on the type of fondue pot you choose, you will need an appropriate heat source:

• Tea Lights or Candles: For smaller fondue pots, tea lights or candles can provide a gentle heat source to keep the chocolate warm.
• Sterno Fuel: Sterno fuel can be used for additional heat, but it burns very hot, so careful monitoring is necessary.
• Electric Heat: Electric fondue pots come with built-in electric heat sources, making them convenient and safe to use.
• Stovetop: For metal or some ceramic fondue pots, you can use a stovetop as a heat source to melt the chocolate before transferring it to the pot.

Dipping Utensils

Provide your guests with suitable utensils for dipping items into the chocolate fondue:

• Fondue Forks: Traditional fondue forks have two prongs and are ideal for spearing fruits, marshmallows, and other dippers.
• Bamboo Skewers: Bamboo skewers are excellent for holding dippers and can be easily disposed of after use.
• Toothpicks: For smaller items, toothpicks can be useful for dipping without creating a mess.

Dipping Items

Choose a variety of sweet and salty items for your guests to dip into the chocolate fondue:

• Fruits: Strawberries, bananas, pineapple chunks, dried apricots, oranges, and apples are popular choices.
• Baked Goods: Angel food cake cubes, brownies, pound cake, marshmallows, cookies (Oreos, vanilla wafers, biscotti), and Rice Krispies treats are perfect for dipping.
• Savory Options: Potato chips, pretzel sticks, and even candy bars can provide a unique salty contrast to the sweet chocolate.

Chocolate and Toppings

Finally, the star of the show—the chocolate!—and some optional toppings to elevate the experience:

• Chocolate: Use high-quality chocolate, such as semisweet, milk, dark, or white chocolate. You can also mix and match different types of chocolate to create a unique flavor profile. Chopped chocolate or chocolate chips are recommended for easier melting.
• Toppings: For an extra touch, provide toppings such as crushed nuts, sprinkles, coconut flakes, or crushed cookies. These can be sprinkled over the dipped items for added texture and flavor.

Serving and storing

Chocolate fondue is best served immediately after heating. If you're serving it at a wedding, make sure you have all your dippers ready and prepare the fondue just before you're ready to serve it. If you're using a fondue pot, transfer the fondue into the pot and ignite the handy fuel to keep it warm. Keep the flame low to avoid burning the fondue. If you don't have a fondue pot, you can use a chafing dish or a ceramic bowl wrapped in a towel to trap the heat.

Arrange your dippers on a large serving plate or individual serving bowls to accompany the fondue. You can use a variety of fruits and sweets, such as bananas, pineapples, strawberries, apples, pears, mangoes, cherries, soft cookies, graham crackers, marshmallows, brownies, coconut strips, or pound cake. You can also add some salty or neutral items like rice cakes, wafers, biscuits, and pretzels to balance out the sweetness.

If you have any leftover fondue, you can store it in a sealed container in the refrigerator for about a week. To reheat, simply place the fondue back on the stovetop over low heat and stir continuously to prevent burning. You may need to add a little heavy cream to thin out the fondue and achieve the desired consistency.

Frequently asked questions