Chocolate Fondue For A Crowd: A Sweet, Simple Guide

Chocolate fondue is a fun and easy dessert to make for a group of 15 people. It's an interactive dessert that allows everyone to choose their favourite dippers, from fruit to biscuits to marshmallows. The fondue itself is simple to make, requiring only a few basic ingredients such as chocolate, cream, and a pinch of salt. You can also add extra flavours like peppermint extract, cinnamon, or liqueur. While a fondue pot is ideal for keeping the chocolate warm, it's not necessary; a regular pot on a low heat will also do the trick.

Choosing the right chocolate

Type of Chocolate

The type of chocolate you choose will depend on your taste preferences and the desired sweetness of your fondue. You can use semi-sweet, bittersweet, milk, or dark chocolate. Semi-sweet and bittersweet chocolates have a higher percentage of cacao and are less sweet, while milk chocolate is sweeter and creamier. Dark chocolate has an even higher cacao content and a more intense flavour. You can also mix different types of chocolate to create a richer and deeper flavour profile.

Quality of Chocolate

It is important to use high-quality chocolate for your fondue. Look for premium or good-quality chocolate bars or chocolate chips. Avoid using low-quality chocolate chips, as they may not melt well and can affect the taste and texture of your fondue. Chocolate chips also tend to harden quickly, so opt for chocolate bars if you want your fondue to stay melted for longer.

Amount of Chocolate

The amount of chocolate you need will depend on the number of servings you want to make. For 15 servings, you will likely need around 18-24 ounces (500-680 grams) of chocolate. This may vary depending on the recipe you are following and the desired thickness of your fondue.

Melting Chocolate

When melting the chocolate, it is crucial to do so slowly and gently. Use a low or medium-low heat setting and stir occasionally until the chocolate is completely melted and smooth. Be careful not to let the chocolate boil or simmer, as this can cause it to scorch and turn grainy. You can also use a double boiler or a glass/metal bowl over a saucepan of simmering water to melt the chocolate gently.

Adding Ingredients

Once the chocolate is melted, you can add other ingredients to enhance the flavour and texture of your fondue. This includes heavy cream, milk, butter, vanilla extract, or a pinch of salt. Stir these ingredients into the melted chocolate until well combined. You can also add liqueurs such as orange liqueur, amaretto, or coffee liqueur for an adult version of chocolate fondue.

Remember to taste your chocolate fondue as you go and adjust the ingredients to your preference. With the right chocolate and some experimentation, you'll be well on your way to creating a delicious and memorable chocolate fondue for your guests!

Heating the liquids

To start, measure out equal parts of heavy cream and milk, or use a combination of both to make up the required amount. For 15 servings, you will need around 3 cups of liquid. Pour the liquids into a small or medium saucepan and place it on the stove. Turn the heat to medium-low and heat the liquids until they just start to gently simmer. You should see tiny bubbles appearing and the liquids should be hot to the touch.

Once the liquids have reached this stage, turn off the heat. Do not let the liquids come to a full boil as this can affect the texture of the fondue and cause it to become grainy. If you are using a combination of cream and milk, you may find that the milk takes a little longer to heat up, so be patient and allow it to warm through gently.

At this point, you are ready to add the chocolate to the heated liquids. However, before adding the chocolate, remove the saucepan from the heat to avoid overheating the chocolate. Adding the chocolate off the heat will also make it easier to control the melting process and prevent burning.

Adding chocolate to the liquids

Now that you have your liquids ready, it's time to add the chocolate! For this large batch of chocolate fondue, you will need 18 ounces of chopped chocolate. You can use a combination of milk chocolate, semi-sweet chocolate, or dark chocolate, depending on your preference. If you're making a smaller batch, use 10 ounces of chocolate. Chop the chocolate into small pieces or use chocolate chips.

Combine the chocolate with the warmed liquids. If you're using a saucepan, simply add the chocolate to the saucepan and remove it from the heat. If you're using a double boiler, add the chocolate to the top bowl. Let the mixture sit for a few minutes to allow the chocolate to start melting.

Stir the mixture until the chocolate is completely melted and the fondue is smooth. This is an important step to ensure that your fondue has a creamy, luscious texture. Use a wooden spoon or a heatproof spatula to stir the mixture gently.

At this point, you can also add a pinch of salt to enhance the flavour. If you want to add a touch of liqueur, such as orange liqueur, amaretto, or coffee liqueur, stir it in now. However, this step is entirely optional, and your fondue will be delicious even without any add-ins.

If your fondue is too thick or starts to get grainy, you can adjust the consistency by adding more milk a little at a time. Stir continuously until you achieve the desired smoothness.

Stirring the mixture

Before you begin stirring, it's essential to gather your ingredients and prepare your equipment. You'll need a saucepan or a stovetop-safe fondue pot, a heat source (stovetop or hot plate), a whisk or a wooden spoon, and a fondue pot or serving bowl. For the ingredients, you'll need chocolate (either chopped chocolate or good-quality chocolate chips), heavy cream or milk, and any desired flavourings such as vanilla extract or liqueur.

Now, let's get started with the stirring process:

• Combine the Ingredients: In your saucepan or fondue pot, combine the chocolate and the cream or milk. You can also add a pinch of salt at this stage to enhance the flavour. The amount of cream or milk you use will depend on the desired consistency of your fondue. For a thicker fondue, use less liquid, and for a thinner fondue, add more liquid.
• Heat and Stir: Place the pot with the combined ingredients over low heat. It's important to stir occasionally while the chocolate melts to prevent scorching and ensure even melting. Do not let the mixture come to a simmer or a boil, as this can affect the texture and cause graininess. Stirring helps distribute the heat evenly and prevents the mixture from overheating.
• Melting Process: As the mixture heats up, you'll notice the chocolate starting to melt. Continue stirring gently to facilitate the melting process. If you're using a saucepan, you can create a double boiler by setting it over a gentle simmer of water. This method provides indirect heat and helps prevent overheating.
• Incorporation: Once the chocolate is mostly melted, increase your stirring speed slightly to fully incorporate the ingredients. You want to ensure that the chocolate and cream (or milk) are combined smoothly, without any lumps or unmelted pieces of chocolate.
• Add Flavourings: Once the chocolate is fully melted and incorporated, it's time to add any desired flavourings, such as vanilla extract or liqueur. Remove the mixture from the heat source and then stir in your chosen flavourings. This step ensures that the flavourings are evenly distributed without the risk of overheating or cooking off their delicate aromas.
• Final Adjustments: After adding flavourings, give the mixture a final stir to ensure everything is well combined. If you prefer a thinner consistency, you can add additional cream or milk a little at a time, stirring continuously, until you achieve the desired texture.

Remember, the key to successful stirring is to take your time and maintain a gentle heat. Overheating the mixture or stirring too vigorously can cause the fondue to become grainy or separate. Always err on the side of lower heat and gradual stirring, as you can easily adjust the consistency by adding a little more liquid if needed.

Now that you've mastered the art of stirring the mixture, you're well on your way to creating delicious and decadent chocolate fondue for 15 servings!

Serving the fondue

Now that your chocolate fondue is ready, it's time to serve it! Here are some tips and suggestions for serving the fondue to your guests:

• If you have a fondue pot, transfer the chocolate fondue to it and heat the fuel underneath to keep it warm over medium-low heat. This will ensure that your fondue stays at the ideal dipping temperature.
• If you don't have a fondue pot, don't worry! You can simply place the saucepan of melted chocolate on the table on a trivet and dip away. If it starts to cool down, you can always reheat it over low heat. Alternatively, you can transfer the fondue to a small slow cooker or a clean candle warmer and keep it on a warm setting.
• Prepare all the dippers or "dip-ables" ahead of time and arrange them on a platter or plates around the chocolate pot. This way, your guests can easily access their favourite treats to dip into the chocolate.
• Provide your guests with fondue forks, bamboo skewers, or other suitable utensils for dipping. It is recommended to use one utensil for dipping and then transfer the dipped item to a plate to eat, using a separate utensil for eating.
• For a fun and interactive experience, create two platters of dippers instead of one. This way, your guests can easily access the treats from either side of the fondue pot without having to reach over it.
• Get creative with your dippers! While fresh fruit, such as strawberries, bananas, and pineapple, are classic choices, you can also offer cookies, brownies, marshmallows, pretzels, and even savoury options like crispy bacon and potato chips.
• Experiment with different types of chocolate and add-ins to create unique fondue flavours. You can add a twist of liqueur, such as orange liqueur or amaretto, or extracts like peppermint or orange extract.
• If you're serving a large group, consider making a bigger batch of fondue or preparing multiple fondue pots with different flavours to cater to different tastes.
• Most importantly, encourage your guests to have fun and get creative with their fondue combinations! Fondue is a great way to bring people together and create a memorable and enjoyable dining experience.

Frequently asked questions