Fondue Cupcakes: A Sweet Twist On A Classic Treat

Cupcake fondue is a fun, quirky, and delicious treat that is perfect for any celebration or holiday. It is a unique take on the traditional fondue, where small pieces of food are dipped into melted cheese or chocolate. Instead, cupcake fondue involves dipping mini cupcakes into a variety of frostings and toppings. The best part is that it can be enjoyed by both kids and adults alike!

To make cupcake fondue, you will need mini cupcakes, frosting or fondue, and assorted toppings. The cupcakes can be made from scratch or using a box mix, and it is recommended to use a firm cake like pound cake for skewering. For the frosting, you can use canned frosting, or make your own by whisking together powdered sugar, liquid (such as orange juice, milk, or water), and corn syrup. The consistency should be adjusted to a smooth, thick glaze. Finally, for the toppings, you can use sprinkles, chopped nuts, coloured sugar, coconut, chocolate chips, or even crushed candy bars!

Once you have all the ingredients ready, simply dip the cupcake into the frosting and then sprinkle on your desired toppings. It's as easy as that! Cupcake fondue is a great way to get creative and have fun with your food. So, go ahead and give it a try at your next party or gathering!

Choosing your cupcakes

The type of cupcakes you choose for your fondue can depend on a few factors. Firstly, you want to make sure they are small enough to be easily dipped and decorated. Mini cupcakes are a great option for this, and one cake mix should yield around 36 mini cupcakes. You can also make them yourself from scratch, using your favourite recipe or a simple box mix.

If you want to use paper liners, be sure to remove them after the cupcakes have cooled. Any flavour of cupcake will work, but a firmer cake, like pound cake, will be better for skewering. If you want to skip the skewers, you can also use plastic forks or fingers to dip and decorate.

Allow your cupcakes to cool completely before serving with the fondue. You can bake these in advance and store them in an airtight container until you are ready to serve.

Making the fondue

Ingredients:

Firstly, gather your ingredients. For the fondue, you will need powdered sugar, a liquid such as orange juice, milk, or water, and light corn syrup. You can also add food colouring or extracts for flavour and colour. The exact amounts of each ingredient may vary depending on your personal preference and the number of servings, but a good starting point is 3 cups of powdered sugar, 1/3 cup of liquid, and 2 tablespoons of light corn syrup.

Whisk the Ingredients:

In a large bowl, combine the powdered sugar, liquid, and corn syrup. Whisk these ingredients together until they form a smooth and thick glaze. You can adjust the consistency by adding more liquid or powdered sugar as needed. If you want to add any flavour extracts or food colouring, this is the step to do so. For example, you could use grape juice for a pastel purple colour or add strawberry extract for a fruity flavour.

Heating (Optional):

At this point, you have the option to heat the fondue mixture. This step is not necessary, but it can make the fondue thinner and easier to dip. If you choose to heat the fondue, do so gently and stir continuously to avoid overheating or scorching. A small tea light or low flame can be used to keep the fondue warm without overheating it.

Pour into a Fondue Pot:

Once you are happy with the consistency and temperature of your fondue, it's time to pour it into a fondue pot or a small bowl. If you don't have a fondue pot, a regular bowl will also work. Using a fondue pot adds a fun and interesting element to the presentation.

Prepare the Toppings:

While the fondue is the star of the show, the toppings are just as important! Display an assortment of sprinkles, chopped nuts, coloured sugar, coconut, chocolate chips, candy bars, and any other toppings you desire in small ramekins or portion cups around the fondue pot. This will allow your guests to easily access the toppings and create their own unique combinations.

Skewer the Cupcakes:

To make dipping easier, skewer the cupcakes from the side. This will give your guests a handle to hold while they dip and decorate their treats. You can use wooden or plastic skewers, whichever you prefer. If you are concerned about the skewers' sharpness, you can blunt the ends by cutting off the sharp tips or wrapping them in colourful tape.

Dip and Decorate:

Now comes the best part – dipping and decorating the cupcakes! Instruct your guests to dip the top half of the cupcake into the fondue, allowing the frosting to drip down the sides. Then, flip the cupcake over and sprinkle their chosen toppings liberally onto the fondue-covered portion. They can create different patterns, layer multiple toppings, or go for a more minimalist approach – the possibilities are endless!

Remember, the most important part is to have fun and enjoy the process. This activity is perfect for birthday parties, celebrations, or even just a fun night in with friends or family. Get creative, experiment with different flavours and toppings, and indulge in the sweetness of cupcake fondue!

Preparing your toppings

Firstly, decide on the flavour of your fondue. If you are making a chocolate fondue, you might want to include toppings such as sprinkles, nonpareils, crushed cookies, shredded coconut, mini chocolate chips, chopped nuts, and candy bars such as Butterfingers and Twix. You could also add some colourful treats like M&M's. If you are making a vanilla fondue, you might want to include similar toppings, but with the addition of some fresh fruit such as strawberries or other colourful berries.

Once you have decided on your toppings, it's time to prepare them. If you are using sprinkles, simply open the container and pour them into small ramekins or portion cups. If you are using fresh fruit, wash and dry it before cutting it into small pieces that can be easily added to the cupcakes. For candy bars, you can chop them into small pieces, or crush them into a coarse powder. Nuts can be chopped or crushed, depending on your preference. And finally, for toppings like shredded coconut or crushed cookies, simply open the package and pour them into your serving dishes.

It's a good idea to have a variety of colours, textures, and flavours when it comes to your toppings. This will not only make the cupcake fondue more enjoyable for your guests, but it will also make it look more visually appealing. So be sure to include a mix of sweet and savoury, crunchy and soft, and colourful and plain toppings.

Finally, don't be afraid to get creative and experiment with different topping combinations. You could even set up a topping bar where guests can create their own unique combinations.

Heating the fondue

If you are using a fondue pot, you can keep the heat on underneath the pot to maintain the temperature of the fondue. Alternatively, you can use a small crock pot to keep the fondue warm.

If you are not using a fondue pot, you can use a regular bowl. However, a fondue pot is more fun and looks more interesting on a snack board.

Dipping and decorating

Now for the fun part! Once your cupcakes are baked and cooled, and your frosting fondue is ready, it's time to dip and decorate. Here are some tips and ideas to make your cupcake fondue experience a success:

• Skewering the cupcakes: While it's not necessary to skewer the cupcakes, it can make dipping and decorating easier, especially for kids. Use skewers or small forks to pierce the cupcakes from the side, allowing for easy dipping and less mess.
• Dipping the cupcakes: Dip the top half of the cupcake into the fondue, allowing the frosting to drip down the sides. You can use a fondue pot to keep the frosting warm and melty, or serve it at room temperature. If you're not using a fondue pot, a regular bowl will do.
• Decorating the cupcakes: After dipping, it's time to sprinkle! Provide a variety of sprinkles, chopped nuts, coloured sugar, coconut flakes, chocolate chips, candy pieces, and any other toppings you desire. Let your guests get creative and experiment with different combinations.
• Presentation: Display your toppings in small ramekins or portion cups arranged around the fondue pot. This not only looks appealing but also makes it easy for guests to access their favourite toppings.
• Fondue variations: Feel free to experiment with different types of fondue. You can use melted chocolate, vanilla glaze, or any flavour of frosting you prefer. For a colourful fondue, use food colouring or fruit juices like orange or grape juice.
• Cupcake flavours: While mini cupcakes are recommended, you can use any size or flavour of cupcake you like. Just make sure they are completely cooled before dipping.

Remember, the key to a successful cupcake fondue is creativity and experimentation. So, don't be afraid to mix and match different flavours and toppings to find your perfect combination. Enjoy the process, and most importantly, have fun!

Frequently asked questions