Chocolate Fondue: Evaporated Milk Magic In 5 Steps

Chocolate fondue is a fun and easy dessert to make, and a great way to make dessert more interactive. It's also a versatile recipe that can be tailored to your taste. You can use a combination of milk, dark, or white chocolate, and add extra flavours like peppermint extract, cinnamon, or chilli.

To make chocolate fondue with evaporated milk, you will need:

- 10 ounces of chopped bittersweet or semisweet chocolate

- 1/3 cup of evaporated milk

- 1 teaspoon of vanilla extract

Combine the chocolate and milk in a small bowl and melt gently in a microwave or over a pan of simmering water. Once melted, stir in the vanilla extract. Serve immediately or set aside and rewarm briefly when needed.

Choosing the right chocolate

When making chocolate fondue, the chocolate you choose is very important. Not all brands of chocolate chips melt well, so it's best to opt for good-quality chocolate. Some recommended brands include Ghirardelli, Guittard, and Baker's. If you're using chocolate chips, Ghirardelli and Guittard are good choices, while for chocolate bars, Baker's and Ghirardelli are recommended.

If you're looking for a more budget-friendly option, you can opt for chocolate baking bars, which are usually placed above the chocolate chips in the baking aisle of grocery stores. These tend to melt better than chocolate chips. However, if you're an avid fan of dark chocolate, it's best to stick with higher-end chocolate chips like Ghirardelli's or Guittard's bittersweet or semisweet chips for the best flavour and melting experience.

For those who prefer their chocolate fondue on the sweeter side, milk chocolate is a good option. Combining milk chocolate with semi-sweet chocolate can also result in a rich and chocolatey flavour without being too dark. If you want to add a twist to your fondue, you can include white chocolate, which will make it creamier and lighter. Just be sure to adjust the consistency by adding a touch more heavy cream.

Additionally, you can experiment with different extracts to add a unique flavour to your fondue. While vanilla is a common choice, you can also try orange or peppermint extract for a refreshing twist.

Melting the chocolate

Once you have your chocolate, combine it with the milk or cream in a saucepan or stovetop-proof fondue pot. Place the pot over low heat and stir occasionally until the chocolate is completely melted. Do not let the mixture come to a simmer or a boil, as this can cause the fondue to scorch and become grainy. You want the fondue to be glossy, thick, and smooth.

If you're using vanilla extract, stir it into the fondue after you've removed it from the heat. The fondue will likely be quite thick at this point, so you can adjust the consistency by whisking in additional cream or milk until you reach your desired consistency.

Now you're ready to pour the fondue into a fondue pot or small slow cooker to keep it warm while serving. If you don't have a fondue pot, you can keep the fondue in the same saucepan and place it on a heating pad or over a bowl of very hot water to stay warm.

Adding evaporated milk

Evaporated milk is a great alternative to regular milk or cream in chocolate fondue. It has a slightly higher sugar content, which can make the fondue sweeter and more indulgent. It also has a thicker consistency than regular milk, which can make the fondue richer and more decadent.

To add evaporated milk to your chocolate fondue, simply substitute it for the regular milk or cream in your recipe. Start by adding an equal amount of evaporated milk as you would regular milk or cream. For example, if your recipe calls for 1/2 cup of milk, add 1/2 cup of evaporated milk instead.

However, keep in mind that evaporated milk has a higher concentration of solids, so you may need to add a little more liquid to thin out the fondue to your desired consistency. Simply add a small amount of water, or another liquid such as liquor or orange juice, to the fondue until you reach the perfect texture.

If you're looking for a vegan option, you can even use evaporated milk made from plant-based sources such as soy, almond, or coconut. This can be a delicious and creamy addition to your chocolate fondue, offering a slightly different flavour profile that your guests are sure to enjoy.

As always, taste as you go and adjust the ingredients to your preference. With these tips, you can create a delicious and creamy chocolate fondue using evaporated milk that your guests will love!

Adjusting the consistency

If you want to thin out your fondue, simply whisk in some extra cream, milk, or evaporated milk a little at a time until you reach your desired consistency. If you're using evaporated milk, you may need to adjust the ratios as this can lead to a thicker consistency.

If your fondue becomes too thin, you can add more chocolate to thicken it. Alternatively, you can let it sit for 15 minutes to allow it to cool and thicken.

Dipping options

There are endless options for what to dip into your chocolate fondue! Here are some ideas to get you started:

Fruit

The most popular chocolate fondue dipper is fruit. Strawberries are the classic romantic treat, but you can also try bananas, pineapple, mango, papaya, apples, pears, oranges, blackberries, raspberries, blueberries, grapefruit, coconut, apricots, peaches, plums, dried apricots, dried mango, dried pineapple, dried papaya, and dried cherries.

Cookies and Biscuits

Try vanilla wafers, Oreos, gingernut biscuits, custard creams, biscotti, shortbread, Nilla wafers, animal crackers, Rice Krispie treats, brownies, or even cheesecake cubes.

Sweet Treats

Dip marshmallows, pretzels, potato chips, candy red licorice, jelly beans, honeycomb, caramel popcorn, fudge, mini pancakes, mini waffles, or nuts into your fondue.

Cake

Cut angel food cake, pound cake, or any other type of cake into cubes for dipping.

Frequently asked questions