Chocolate Fondue: Melting Pot Secrets For Your Next Dessert

Chocolate fondue is a fun and easy dessert to make at home. It's an interactive dessert that lets everyone choose their favourite dippers, from fruit to cake to marshmallows. The Melting Pot is a popular fondue restaurant, and you can recreate their chocolate fondue recipe at home. It's made with milk chocolate, heavy cream, and crunchy peanut butter. Simply melt the chocolate and cream together over low heat, then stir in the peanut butter. Serve with your choice of dippers and enjoy!

Choosing the right chocolate

Go for Quality: When making chocolate fondue, it's essential to use high-quality chocolate. Look for premium or good-quality chocolate chips or bars. Avoid using store-brand chocolate, as it may not have the desired flavour or melting properties. Some recommended brands include Guittard, Ghirardelli, and Baker's.

Type of Chocolate: The type of chocolate you choose will depend on your preference for taste. You can use semi-sweet, bittersweet, or dark chocolate for a richer, more intense flavour. Milk chocolate will give you a sweeter fondue, while white chocolate can be used for a creamy, lighter version. You can also mix different types of chocolate to create a unique flavour profile.

Chocolate Chips vs Bars: Chocolate chips and chopped chocolate bars can both be used for fondue. Chocolate chips are convenient and usually melt well, but it's important to choose a high-end brand to ensure good flavour and melting properties. Chocolate bars, especially baking bars, are often found in the baking aisle and can provide a deeper chocolate flavour.

Percentage of Cacao: For a deep chocolate flavour, look for chocolate with a higher percentage of cacao. Aim for bittersweet chocolate with at least 60% cacao, or use a combination of high-cacao chocolate with milk chocolate for a balanced taste.

Experiment and Personalize: Don't be afraid to experiment with different types and combinations of chocolate to find your perfect flavour. You can also add extracts, liqueurs, or spices to your fondue to create unique variations, such as orange extract, peppermint extract, cinnamon, or chilli powder.

Remember, the quality and type of chocolate you choose will make a significant difference in the final product, so take the time to select the right chocolate for your chocolate fondue.

Using a fondue pot

Fondue pots come in three types: metal, ceramic, and electric. Metal fondue pots are usually made from stainless steel or enameled cast iron. They are sturdy and can go directly from the stovetop to the table. Ceramic fondue pots are great for retaining heat and are easy to clean. They come in a range of sizes and can be microwave-safe. Electric fondue pots are the safest and fastest to heat up, but they are also the most expensive.

If you don't want to use a fondue pot, you can keep your chocolate fondue warm in several other ways. A small slow cooker works great, as does a tea candle, which produces less heat than canned Sterno fuel. Another option is a small crockpot or a clean candle warmer.

If you are using a fondue pot, simply transfer your fondue to the pot and set the heat to low or use a low flame. If your fondue starts to stiffen, add a tablespoon of heavy cream and stir.

Adding extra flavours

Extra Flavours

• Peppermint extract: Start with 1/4 teaspoon and increase according to taste.
• Cinnamon and chilli for a Mexican spin.
• Espresso powder: A good pinch can do wonders!
• Orange zest for a fruity chocolate fondue.
• Liquor for a more grown-up version. Try Amaretto, Bailey's Irish Cream, orange liqueur, coffee liqueur like Kahlua, or hazelnut liqueur.
• Citrus zest to spike white chocolate.
• Earl Grey tea: Steep aromatics in the cream for an hour beforehand to add a subtle flavour.
• Crunchy peanut butter: Add a spoonful and swirl it through the fondue, leaving streaks of peanut butter visible.
• Melted candy bars: Try Toberlone and Symphony bars, or candy bars with nuts or toffee bits for extra flavour and crunch.
• Marshmallow fluff: Add a couple of spoonfuls and swirl it through the fondue, leaving streaks of marshmallow.

Dippers

You can also add extra flavours to your fondue by choosing interesting foods to dip. Here are some ideas:

• Fruits: Strawberries, bananas, pineapple, orange segments, apples, peaches, plums, apricots, pears, dried apricots, mango, papaya, dried figs, pineapple, or mangoes.
• Sweet treats: Cookies (Oreos, vanilla wafers, biscotti, chocolate chip cookies, or your favourite), brownies, Rice Krispies treats, marshmallows, pound cake, angel food cake, ladyfingers, brownies, or doughnuts.
• Salty snacks: Potato chips, pretzels, or bacon for a sweet and salty combination.

Choosing dippers

Choosing the right dippers for your chocolate fondue is essential to elevate your dessert experience. Here are some tips and ideas to help you select the perfect dippers:

Fruits

Fruits are a classic and popular choice for chocolate fondue. They offer a refreshing contrast to the rich and indulgent chocolate. Here are some fruit options to consider:

• Strawberries
• Bananas
• Pineapple
• Apples
• Grapes
• Cherries
• Kiwi
• Oranges
• Melon
• Berries (raspberries, blackberries, blueberries, etc.)
• Dried fruits (dried apricots, figs, dates, etc.)

Sweet Treats

In addition to fruits, there are plenty of sweet treats that pair perfectly with chocolate fondue. These options can take your dessert to the next level:

• Marshmallows (larger ones are easier to dip)
• Cookies (Oreo, shortbread, peanut butter, chocolate chip, etc.)
• Brownies (cut into small pieces)
• Mini donuts or donut holes
• Mini cakes or cupcakes
• Rice Krispie treats
• Cheesecake (cut into bite-sized pieces)
• Pretzels (salty and sweet combination)
• Waffles
• Biscotti
• Granola bars
• Potato chips
• Popcorn

Savory Options

If you're feeling adventurous, you can also explore some savory options to dip into your chocolate fondue. These unique pairings might surprise you:

• Bacon
• Beef jerky
• Pickles
• Avocado slices
• Roasted coffee beans
• Crackers (Ritz, rice crackers, butter crackers, etc.)
• Nuts (peanuts, almonds, macadamias, pistachios, etc.)
• Cheese (blue cheese, Gouda, cheddar, Brie, etc.)

Remember, when choosing dippers, it's important to consider items that can be easily dipped and hold up well after being coated in chocolate. Cut larger items into bite-sized pieces for a more enjoyable experience.

Reheating and storing fondue

Storing Fondue

Fondue can be stored in an airtight container in the fridge for up to five days.

Reheating Fondue

Fondue can be reheated in a microwave, on a stovetop, or using a double boiler.

Microwave

Place your fondue in a microwave-safe bowl or container. If the fondue is too thick, you can add a small amount of milk or cream. Heat the fondue in 15- or 30-second intervals, stirring in between, until it reaches a smooth and creamy consistency.

Stovetop

Place a non-stick pan on medium heat and add a knob of butter and a dash of milk or cream. Once the milk or cream is heated, add the fondue and keep stirring. Reduce the heat to low once the fondue starts to boil. Keep stirring to prevent the fondue from overcooking, which can result in a gritty texture.

Double Boiler

Fill a deep-vesseled pot halfway with water and place it on the stove. Let the water come to a boil, then place a glass bowl on top of the pot, ensuring the water doesn't touch the bowl. Add your fondue to the glass bowl and constantly stir until it becomes smooth and liquid.

Frequently asked questions