Making Fondue With Baker's Chocolate Squares: A Quick Guide

Chocolate fondue is a fun and easy dessert to make at home. It can be made with a combination of milk chocolate, semi-sweet chocolate, or dark chocolate. For a simple fondue recipe, you can combine chopped chocolate or chocolate chips with milk or cream and heat the mixture on low heat until the chocolate is melted. You can also add a teaspoon of vanilla extract to enhance the flavour. It is important not to let the fondue come to a simmer or boil as this can affect the texture. Once melted, the fondue can be transferred to a fondue pot or small slow cooker to keep it warm while serving. Various ingredients can be dipped into the chocolate fondue, such as fruits, cookies, brownies, marshmallows, or pretzels.

Chopped chocolate

For a deep chocolate flavour, use bittersweet chocolate with at least 60% cacao. You can also substitute semi-sweet chocolate chips or a combination of milk chocolate and semi-sweet chocolate. If you prefer darker chocolate, simply use semi-sweet and dark chocolate. Chopped chocolate is preferred over chocolate chips as it melts better and doesn't harden as quickly.

When preparing the chocolate fondue, combine the chopped chocolate with milk or cream in a small bowl and melt gently in a simmering water bath or microwave. You can also use a saucepan or stovetop-proof fondue pot and heat on low, stirring occasionally, until the chocolate is completely melted. Do not let the fondue come to a simmer or boil, as it can scorch and turn grainy.

Once the chocolate is melted, you can stir in additional ingredients like vanilla extract or a pinch of salt to enhance the flavour. If the fondue is too thick, you can adjust the consistency by whisking in additional cream or milk until the desired consistency is reached.

Melting methods

Melting chocolate is a delicate process, and there are several methods to achieve the desired result. Here are some melting methods to make fondue with baker's chocolate squares:

Double Boiler

Create a double boiler by bringing a small saucepan of water to a gentle simmer and placing a glass or metal bowl on top. Ensure that the water does not touch the bowl. Add the chocolate to the bowl and stir until it is completely melted and smooth. This method is suitable for stove-top melting and ensures gentle heating without burning the chocolate.

Stovetop

For this method, you can use a saucepan or a stove-top-proof fondue pot. Combine the chopped chocolate and milk or cream in the chosen vessel. Heat the mixture over low heat, stirring occasionally, until the chocolate is fully melted. It is crucial not to let the mixture come to a simmer or boil, as this can scorch the chocolate and affect its texture. Once melted, stir in any additional ingredients, such as vanilla extract, and adjust the consistency to your preference.

Microwave

Place the chopped chocolate in a microwave-safe bowl and heat it in short intervals, stirring in between, until the chocolate is melted. Be cautious not to overheat the chocolate, as microwaves can cause uneven heating.

Fondue Pot

If you have a fondue pot, you can melt the chocolate directly in it. Combine the chocolate and milk or cream in the fondue pot and heat it over a low flame, stirring occasionally, until the chocolate is completely melted. This method is ideal for serving the fondue directly from the pot and keeping it warm during your meal.

Regardless of the melting method chosen, always melt the chocolate gently and avoid overheating. Overheating can cause the chocolate to scorch, affecting its texture and taste. Additionally, be mindful of the type of chocolate you use, as not all chocolate chips melt well. Opt for good-quality chocolate or chocolate baking bars for the best results.

Stirring in vanilla

Vanilla is added to enhance the flavour of the chocolate fondue. The amount of vanilla added can be adjusted to taste, but a typical recipe calls for 1/2 to 1 teaspoon of vanilla extract.

The vanilla can be stirred into the fondue using a whisk or a spoon. It is important to stir thoroughly to ensure that the vanilla is evenly distributed throughout the fondue.

Once the vanilla has been stirred in, the fondue is ready to be served. It can be transferred to a fondue pot or a small slow cooker to keep it warm while serving.

If the fondue is too thick, additional cream or milk can be whisked in to adjust the consistency.

Dippers

When it comes to dippers for your chocolate fondue, the options are endless! Here are some ideas to get you started:

Fruits

Fruits are a classic choice for chocolate fondue. Go for fresh fruits like strawberries, bananas, apples, oranges, pineapple, kiwi, dragon fruit, papaya, mangoes, and melon. Or, choose dried fruits such as apricots, figs, dates, and apples. If you want to get creative, try drying your own fruit! Simply place fruit slices on a baking rack in a warm oven (around 200°F) for several hours until the membranes are crisp and the fruit is bursting with juice.

Cookies and Biscuits

Small cookies or biscuits are perfect for dipping into chocolate fondue. Go for classic choices like Oreos, gingerbread biscuits, custard creams, biscotti, or shortbread. Or, get creative with pink wafers, peanut butter cookies, chocolate chip cookies, or even fortune cookies!

Sweet Treats

There are so many sweet treats that pair perfectly with chocolate fondue. Try marshmallows, brownies, Rice Krispie treats, pretzels, cheesecake squares, mini donuts, mini cakes or cupcakes, or even popcorn!

Baked Goods

Chocolate fondue is also delicious with baked goods like pound cake, angel food cake, carrot cake, red velvet cake, chocolate cake, or even sweetbreads like raisin bread or banana bread.

Savoury Options

If you're feeling adventurous, try something savoury! Potato chips dipped in chocolate fondue are a surprisingly tasty combination. Or, go for something salty and crunchy like pretzels or popcorn.

Remember, when preparing your dippers, cut everything into bite-sized pieces ahead of time for easy dipping. And, make sure your dippers will hold up after becoming moist from the chocolate – you don't want a messy situation!

Adjusting consistency

When making chocolate fondue, it's much easier to make the fondue thinner than it is to thicken it, so most recipes err on the side of a thicker consistency. If you want to thin out your fondue, simply whisk in additional cream, milk, or hot cream a little at a time until you reach your desired consistency.

If your fondue is too thin, there are a few ways to thicken it. One way is to make a cornstarch slurry by slowly adding very cold whipping cream to cornstarch and whisking until smooth. Then, pour this mixture into your fondue, return it to medium-low heat, and whisk until it thickens. You can also add powdered cocoa to your fondue to thicken it, but be aware that this will also intensify the chocolate flavour. Remember that your fondue will also thicken as it cools, so you may not need to make any adjustments at all.

Frequently asked questions