Electric Chocolate Fondue: A Simple, Sweet Indulgence

Chocolate fondue is a fun and easy dessert to make, and it can be made in an electric fondue pot. Electric fondue pots are one of the two main types of fondue pots, and they are safer and heat up faster than fondue pots with burners. They are also easier to adjust and clean, but they tend to be more expensive. To make chocolate fondue, you will need chocolate, cream, and a pinch of salt. You can use chocolate chips or roughly chopped bars of chocolate, and you can add extra flavours such as peppermint extract, cinnamon, or liqueur. First, heat the cream with a pinch of salt over medium heat in a small saucepan. Then, remove it from the heat and add the chocolate, whisking until smooth. Finally, transfer the chocolate mixture to a fondue pot and arrange your chosen dippers on a platter.

Prepare your ingredients: chocolate, cream, and a pinch of salt

Preparing the ingredients for chocolate fondue is simple and only requires three ingredients: chocolate, cream, and a pinch of salt.

For the chocolate, it is important to select a high-quality brand as it will be the main flavour of your fondue. Good options include Ghirardelli or Guittard bittersweet or semisweet chocolate chips. If you don't have access to these brands, you can use chocolate baking bars, which are usually found in the baking aisle of grocery stores. Chopped chocolate bars or blocks, chocolate wafers or discs, or even your favourite chocolate candy bars can also be used. If you want a deeper chocolate flavour, opt for bittersweet or dark chocolate, which has at least 60% cacao. For a sweeter fondue, milk chocolate or white chocolate are good choices.

For the cream, heavy or whipping cream is recommended. This will be combined with the chocolate and heated until melted, creating a smooth and creamy texture. The amount of cream added can be adjusted to achieve the desired consistency for dipping.

Finally, a pinch of salt will enhance the flavour of the fondue. You can also add a dash of cinnamon or other spices to taste.

With these three simple ingredients, you're well on your way to creating a delicious chocolate fondue!

Melt chocolate in a medium saucepan over medium-low heat

To make chocolate fondue, you'll need to melt the chocolate in a medium saucepan over medium-low heat. This is a crucial step, as it will ensure that the chocolate melts smoothly without burning or becoming grainy.

Start by warming the cream in the saucepan. You want to get it hot, but be careful not to let it simmer or boil. This is important because if the heat is too high, the chocolate can separate or burn. Once the cream is hot, add your chosen chocolate—chips, chopped bars, or blocks. Keep the heat at a medium-low level and stir the mixture until the chocolate is completely melted and smooth. If you're using an electric fondue pot, you can prepare the fondue directly in the pot, following the manufacturer's instructions.

When melting the chocolate, take your time and go low and slow. This will ensure that your fondue has a beautiful, glossy texture. Once the chocolate is melted, you can remove it from the heat and stir in any additional ingredients, like vanilla or a pinch of salt.

If you want to add some extra flavour to your fondue, you can steep different ingredients in the hot cream before adding the chocolate. For example, you could add Earl Grey tea bags, toasted guajillo chillies, whole spices like cardamom pods, or fresh mint. Simply let the ingredients steep for up to an hour, then strain and reheat the cream before adding the chocolate.

Add cream and whisk until smooth

Once you've heated the cream, it's time to add it to the chocolate and whisk until smooth. This is a crucial step in achieving that perfect, creamy chocolate fondue texture. Here's a detailed guide on how to do it:

Before adding the cream, make sure you've selected a high-quality chocolate that melts well. Not all chocolate chips are created equal, so opt for brands known to melt smoothly, such as Ghirardelli or Guittard. Alternatively, you can use chocolate baking bars, usually found in the baking aisle of your grocery store. Chopped chocolate bars or blocks can also be used.

Now, it's time to add the cream. Slowly pour the heated cream into the melted chocolate. Take your whisk and gently incorporate the two until you have a smooth, glossy mixture. Be careful not to overmix, as this can affect the texture of your fondue. Keep in mind that a fondue made with milk chocolate or white chocolate will be sweeter and milder in flavour, while semisweet or bittersweet chocolate will give you a more intense chocolate experience.

At this point, you can also add a pinch of salt to enhance the flavour. If you want to get creative, consider adding a teaspoon of instant espresso powder or a shot of espresso for a mocha twist. Alternatively, you can experiment with different extracts like orange or peppermint for a unique flavour profile. A small amount of peanut butter or almond butter can also be whisked in, but you may need to add a bit more cream to adjust the consistency.

Remember, the key to successful chocolate fondue is low and gentle heat. Be careful not to overheat the mixture, as this can cause the chocolate to separate, become grainy, or burn. Keep the heat low and stir occasionally until you achieve that perfect, smooth consistency.

If you find your fondue is too thick, you can easily adjust it by whisking in additional cream a little at a time. On the other hand, if it becomes too thin, simply add more chocolate to thicken it up. Play around with the ratios until you get your desired consistency.

Transfer to an electric fondue pot and keep warm

Transfer the fondue to an electric fondue pot to keep it warm and ready to serve. Electric fondue pots are easy to control and clean, and they heat up quickly. They are also safer than other types of fondue pots as they don't require an open flame. However, they tend to be more expensive, and you'll need to ensure you have a power outlet nearby.

If you don't have an electric fondue pot, you can use a slow cooker on the "keep warm" setting, or a small crockpot, to keep your fondue warm. Alternatively, you can place the fondue in a heatproof bowl over a pot of simmering water to keep it warm.

Dip and enjoy

Now for the best part: dipping and enjoying!

There are endless possibilities for what to dip into your chocolate fondue. You can dip anything from fresh fruit to dried fruit, salty snacks like pretzels and potato chips, cakes and cookies. Here are some ideas to get you started:

• Strawberries
• Banana slices
• Apple slices
• Pineapple chunks
• Pears
• Pretzels
• Potato chips
• Pound cake cubes
• Brownies
• Marshmallows
• Cookies (e.g. Oreos, graham crackers, vanilla wafers, biscotti)
• Candy (e.g. peanut brittle, jelly beans)

If you're feeling creative, you can even dip unconventional items like crystallised ginger, cinnamon bears, or licorice. And don't forget to provide skewers or fondue forks for your guests to use!

For a prettier presentation, consider adding some toppings to your dippers. For example, sprinkle toasted coconut, slivered almonds, or crushed hazelnuts on your goodies after dipping.

So go ahead, dip, and enjoy the sweet, chocolatey goodness!

Frequently asked questions