The Perfect Chocolate Fondue: Heating Tips And Tricks

Chocolate fondue is a fun and easy dessert to make, and it's perfect for any occasion, whether it's a romantic evening for two or a family game night. The key to making delicious chocolate fondue is to use good-quality chocolate, such as Ghirardelli, Guittard, or Dove, and to heat it gently to prevent the chocolate from burning or becoming grainy. You can also add a pinch of salt, a dash of vanilla extract, or other flavourings like orange zest or peppermint extract to enhance the flavour.

Fondue pots are ideal for keeping the chocolate warm while serving, but if you don't have one, you can use a regular pot on a low heat, a slow cooker, or even a tea candle to keep the fondue melted. As for dippers, the options are endless! Fresh fruit, such as strawberries, bananas, and apples, are always a popular choice, but you can also dip marshmallows, pretzels, cookies, or even cake. So go ahead and indulge your sweet tooth with this simple and decadent treat!

Using a double boiler

Step 1: Prepare Your Ingredients and Equipment

Firstly, gather your ingredients. You'll need chocolate (chopped into small pieces), heavy cream, butter (optional), vanilla extract, sugar (optional), and a pinch of salt. You will also need a double boiler (or bain-marie) and some fondue forks or skewers for serving.

Step 2: Create the Double Boiler Setup

Fill the bottom pot of your double boiler with water and place it on the stove. The water level should be such that when you place the upper pot or bowl on top, the water does not touch it. Bring the water to a gentle simmer.

Step 3: Combine Ingredients in the Upper Pot/Bowl

In the upper pot or bowl of your double boiler, combine the chocolate, cream, butter, vanilla, sugar, and salt. Place this setup over the simmering water in the lower pot.

Step 4: Melt and Stir

Stir the mixture constantly as the steam from the simmering water heats the bottom of the upper pot/bowl. Keep stirring until the chocolate is completely melted and the mixture is smooth.

Step 5: Serve and Enjoy

Once your chocolate fondue is ready, simply transfer it to a serving bowl or fondue pot to keep it warm. You can dip an assortment of items, such as fruit, marshmallows, cake, cookies, or anything else you desire!

Melting chocolate

Choosing the Right Chocolate:

• Opt for good-quality chocolate chips or chopped chocolate. Not all brands melt well, so go for trusted brands like Ghirardelli or Guittard.
• If you can't find chocolate chips, chocolate baking bars are a good alternative. Look for them in the baking aisle, usually above the chocolate chips.
• For a combination of milk, dark, and white chocolate, use Dove or Godiva for milk chocolate, and Ghirardelli for white chocolate.
• If you prefer a darker fondue, use bittersweet or semisweet chocolate chips or sweet baking chocolate.

Melting the Chocolate:

• Combine the chocolate with milk or cream in a saucepan or stovetop-proof fondue pot. You can also add a pinch of salt to enhance the flavour.
• Heat the mixture on low to medium heat, stirring occasionally, until the chocolate is completely melted and the mixture is glossy and smooth. Be careful not to let it come to a simmer or boil, as this can scorch the chocolate and make it grainy.
• If using a fondue pot, transfer the melted chocolate mixture into it and keep it on a low setting.
• If you don't have a fondue pot, you can keep the fondue warm in a small slow cooker, a regular pot placed on a heating pad or over a bowl of hot water, or a tea candle/Sterno fuel.

Adjusting the Consistency:

• If your fondue is too thick, whisk in additional cream or milk a little at a time until you achieve the desired consistency.
• If it becomes too stiff while serving, add a tablespoon of heavy cream and stir to thin it out.
• If you want to use the fondue in a chocolate fountain, you may need to thin it out further and add a bit of vegetable oil for a flawless flow.

Adding Flavours:

• You can customise your fondue by adding extracts like orange, peppermint, almond, or vanilla. Start with a small amount and adjust to taste.
• For a grown-up version, add liquors like Amaretto, Bailey's Irish Cream, Kahlua, or brandy.
• To make a Mexican chocolate fondue, add a pinch of cinnamon and ancho chile pepper.
• For a unique twist, steep aromatics like bruised lemongrass or Earl Grey tea in the cream before adding it to the chocolate.

Adding ingredients

Types of Chocolate

Fondue recipes often call for semi-sweet or bittersweet chocolate, but you can also use milk chocolate, dark chocolate, or white chocolate. Combining different types of chocolate can create a unique flavour and texture. For example, mixing milk, dark, and white chocolate can result in a shiny, dark, creamy, and silky fondue with a balanced cocoa flavour. When selecting chocolate, opt for high-quality brands like Godiva, Ghirardelli, or Guittard. Chocolate bars tend to melt better than chips, but if you do use chips, choose a good-quality brand that melts well.

Liquids

The type and amount of liquid you add will impact the consistency and flavour of your fondue. Common liquids used include heavy cream, whole milk, or a combination of both. You can also use half-and-half, heavy cream, or milk with unsalted butter for a softer, mellower chocolate flavour. If your fondue is too thick, adding a little milk or cream can help thin it out.

Extracts and Alcoholic Beverages

Adding extracts is a great way to infuse your fondue with unique flavours. Vanilla extract is a classic choice, but you can also experiment with orange, peppermint, almond, or rose water extracts. For adult gatherings, substitute a liqueur like Grand Marnier, Cointreau, Chambord, Frangelico, Bailey's Irish Cream, or Amaretto for the extract. Alcoholic beverages can also be steeped in hot cream to add subtle flavours.

Spices and Seasonings

A pinch of salt is often added to chocolate fondue recipes to enhance the flavour. Other spices and seasonings you can try include cinnamon, chilli powder, espresso powder, or crunchy sea salt. For a Mexican hot chocolate twist, add cinnamon and ancho chile pepper.

Dippers

The fun part about chocolate fondue is experimenting with different foods to dip into the melted chocolate. Here are some popular options:

• Fresh fruit: Strawberries, bananas, oranges, pineapple, apples, pears, mango, papaya, raspberries, dried apricots
• Cake and baked goods: Pound cake, angel food cake, brownies, rice krispie treats, cookies, graham crackers, marshmallows, pretzels
• Nuts and coconut: Toasted shaved almonds, toasted coconut flakes, slivered almonds, crushed hazelnuts

Remember to prepare your dippers in advance, cutting them into perfectly-portioned, skewer-able pieces so your guests can easily enjoy them.

Stirring

Start by combining your chocolate and choice of milk, cream, or butter in a saucepan or stovetop-proof fondue pot. Place this over low heat on your stove, stirring the mixture occasionally to prevent scorching. It is important that the mixture does not come to a simmer or boil, as this can cause the fondue to scorch and turn grainy. Instead, you want the chocolate to melt slowly and gently.

Keep stirring the mixture until the chocolate is fully melted and the fondue is glossy, thick, and smooth. At this point, you can take the fondue off the heat and stir in any additional flavourings, such as vanilla extract, a pinch of salt, or a liqueur. If you want to thin out the fondue, you can also whisk in some extra cream or milk a little at a time until you reach your desired consistency.

If you are using a fondue pot, transfer the fondue into the pot and use the fuel to keep it warm over medium-low heat. If serving straight from the saucepan, place the pot on a heating pad or over a bowl of very hot, just-boiled water to keep it warm. Remember to stir the fondue occasionally to prevent it from stiffening or thickening too much as it sits. If it does start to stiffen, simply add a small amount of hot cream and stir to loosen it up again.

Serving

When it comes to serving chocolate fondue, presentation is key! Here are some tips and ideas to elevate your chocolate fondue experience:

Fondue pots are ideal for keeping your chocolate warm and are designed specifically for this purpose. However, if you don't have one, don't fret! You can simply use a small slow cooker, a tea candle, or even a regular pot placed on a trivet to keep the chocolate warm. If using a pot, be sure to warn your guests that it is hot and to be careful.

Dippers

The options for dippers are endless! Here are some ideas to get you started:

• Fresh fruit: Strawberries, bananas, apples, pears, oranges, tangerines, grapefruit, pineapple, mango, papaya, raspberries, dried apricots, etc. You can even get creative and dry out citrus segments in a warm oven to create a unique texture.
• Cookies and candy: Graham crackers, marshmallows, Oreos, Nilla wafers, peanut butter cookies, ginger snaps, etc.
• Cake and bars: Brownies, Rice Krispie treats, pound cake, angel food cake, banana bread, etc.
• Savory snacks: Pretzels, potato chips, or even cubes of toasted bread.

Presentation

Arrange your chosen dippers on platters or cake stands around the chocolate pot for a beautiful and inviting display. Provide skewers or fondue forks for your guests to use, or even toothpicks for smaller items. If using a fondue pot, it may come with skewers in different colours so that each person can keep track of their own.

Customisation

Encourage your guests to customise their fondue experience by providing a variety of toppings to sprinkle on their goodies after dipping. Some ideas include:

• Toasted coconut
• Slivered almonds
• Crushed hazelnuts
• Cinnamon
• Chilli powder
• Crunchy sea salt

Frequently asked questions