Fondue With Coconut Cream: A Quick, Easy, And Delicious Treat

Making fondue with coconut cream is a great option for those who are dairy-free or gluten-free. The process is simple: heat your coconut cream, add chocolate chips, and stir until smooth and creamy. You can also add a little vanilla extract for extra flavour. Transfer the mixture to a fondue pot and place over a candle or canned heat burner. Serve with fruit, cake, marshmallows, or anything else you fancy dipping!

How to Make Fondue with Coconut Cream

Melting the chocolate

Start by preparing your ingredients. You'll need a can of coconut milk or coconut cream, and it's important to note that these are not the same as coconut milk or cream in cartons. The canned variety has a higher fat content, resulting in a richer and creamier fondue. If you're using coconut milk, place the can in the refrigerator overnight, upside down. This will cause the creamy part of the milk to rise to the top, making it easier to separate from the watery liquid.

For the chocolate, it's best to use finely chopped bittersweet or semi-sweet chocolate. You can also use chocolate chips, which melt quickly and work well in fondue recipes. Make sure to get enough chocolate, typically around 12 ounces or 2 cups, to create a substantial fondue.

Now, it's time to melt the chocolate. There are two common methods: using a double boiler or a microwave.

If you're using a double boiler, start by simmering some water in a saucepan. Place a heatproof bowl over the pan, ensuring it doesn't touch the water. Add the coconut cream or milk to the bowl and let it melt, stirring occasionally, until you have a smooth consistency. Then, add the chocolate and continue stirring until it's completely melted and combined with the coconut cream.

Alternatively, you can use a microwave. Place the chocolate chips or chopped chocolate in a microwave-safe bowl and heat it for 30 seconds on medium power. This initial heating will help the chocolate melt more easily when combined with the coconut cream. Remove the chocolate from the microwave and set it aside.

Open the can of coconut milk or cream and separate the creamy part from the watery liquid. If you refrigerated the can overnight, this will be easier as the cream would have risen to the top. Scoop out the coconut cream and add it directly to the melted chocolate in the bowl.

Now, heat this mixture in the microwave in short intervals of 30 seconds each, stirring between each interval. Keep doing this until the chocolate is fully melted and you have a smooth, creamy consistency. Be careful not to overheat the chocolate, as it can burn easily.

Once your chocolate and coconut cream mixture is ready, give it a good whisk to ensure it's well combined and has a velvety texture.

Finally, transfer the fondue to a fondue pot and carefully light the burner underneath to keep it warm. If you don't have a fondue pot, don't worry. You can use a fancy serving bowl and reheat the fondue in the microwave as needed.

And that's it! You've successfully melted the chocolate and created a delicious fondue with coconut cream. Enjoy dipping your favourite fruits, marshmallows, cookies, or any other treats of your choice!

Preparing the coconut cream

Firstly, you'll need to decide on the type of coconut cream you want to use. You can choose between canned coconut cream, coconut milk, or a combination of both. If you opt for canned coconut cream, look for a sweetened variety, such as Coco López, which is commonly used in fondue recipes. Alternatively, you can use coconut milk, but make sure it is full-fat and not light, as the higher fat content will result in a richer fondue.

Once you have your chosen coconut product, you'll need to prepare it for the fondue. If using canned coconut cream, simply open the can and scoop out the desired amount into a heatproof bowl. If you're using coconut milk, the process is a little different. Place the can of coconut milk in the refrigerator upside down and leave it overnight. This step is crucial, as it allows the creamy part of the coconut milk to separate from the watery liquid. After refrigerating, open the can and scoop out the creamy white coconut cream that has settled at the top.

The next step is to heat the coconut cream. You can do this in a saucepan over low heat or in the microwave in a microwave-safe bowl. If using a saucepan, stir the coconut cream continuously until it melts and becomes smooth. Alternatively, if you're using the microwave, heat the coconut cream in short intervals of 30 seconds, stirring in between, until it is completely melted and smooth. Be careful not to overheat the coconut cream, as it can burn easily.

Once your coconut cream is melted and smooth, you can add the other fondue ingredients, such as chocolate and any flavour extracts. Keep stirring the mixture over low heat until all the ingredients are well combined and you have a smooth and creamy fondue.

Now you're ready to transfer your fondue to a fondue pot and serve it with your favourite dippers! Enjoy your delicious and creamy coconut cream fondue!

Combining the chocolate and coconut cream

Step 1: Prepare the Coconut Cream

Start by preparing the coconut cream. For this recipe, you will need a can of coconut milk or coconut cream. If using coconut milk, it is important to choose one that is full-fat and not light, as the higher fat content will result in a creamier fondue. Do not shake the can before opening it, as you want the cream to be separated from the coconut water. Open the can and scoop out the thick, creamy part, reserving about a tablespoon for later if you want to create a pretty design on top of your fondue.

Step 2: Melt the Coconut Cream

The next step is to melt the coconut cream. This can be done using a double boiler or a microwave. If using a double boiler, place a heatproof bowl over a saucepan of simmering water, ensuring that the bowl does not touch the water. Add the coconut cream to the bowl and stir until it is completely melted and smooth. Alternatively, you can place the coconut cream in a microwave-safe bowl and heat it in short intervals, stirring in between, until it is melted.

Step 3: Choose the Right Chocolate

The type of chocolate you choose is important to ensure a smooth and creamy fondue. It is best to use finely chopped bittersweet or semi-sweet chocolate. Chocolate chips are also a good option, especially if you are looking for a dairy-free or vegan option. If you are using a chocolate bar, be sure to chop it finely to ensure even melting.

Step 4: Combine the Chocolate and Coconut Cream

Once you have your melted coconut cream and chosen chocolate, it's time to combine them. If you melted the coconut cream in a bowl, simply add the chocolate to the bowl and stir until it is completely melted and combined. If you used a saucepan, add the chocolate to the saucepan and stir over very low heat until the chocolate is melted and the mixture is smooth. Be careful not to overheat the mixture, as this can cause the chocolate to seize or burn.

Step 5: Add Additional Ingredients (Optional)

At this stage, you can add additional ingredients to enhance the flavour of your fondue. Some recipes suggest adding a small amount of whipping cream and coconut extract to add a more pronounced coconut flavour. You can also add a teaspoon of vanilla extract to enhance the sweetness of the fondue. Stir these ingredients into the chocolate-coconut cream mixture until well combined.

Step 6: Transfer to a Fondue Pot

Once you have a smooth and creamy fondue, it's time to transfer it to a fondue pot. If you don't have a fondue pot, don't worry! You can use any heavy saucepan or even a fancy serving bowl and reheat it as needed. Place the fondue pot over a candle or canned heat burner to keep it warm and melted during serving.

Adding additional ingredients

There are many different ways to customise your fondue with additional ingredients. Here are some ideas:

Fruit

Fruit is a popular choice for fondue, especially when combined with chocolate fondue. Strawberries, bananas, pineapple, tangerine segments, and grapes are all popular options. If you want to get creative, you could also try dried fruit, such as dried banana chips, papaya, apricots, or pineapple.

Baked Goods

Fondue can be a great dessert option, especially when combined with baked goods. Gluten-free cookies, gluten-free cake, and gluten-free rice krispie treats are all tasty options. If you don't have any gluten restrictions, you could also try dipping pieces of pound cake or Sara Lee pound cake (cut into cubes). Just be mindful of cross-contamination if you're sharing the fondue pot with gluten-free guests.

Biscuits and Crackers

Biscotti is a great option for dipping into fondue, especially if you want something with a crunch. Gluten-free pretzels and gluten-free graham crackers are also tasty options.

Marshmallows

Marshmallows are a fun and sweet addition to fondue, especially when combined with chocolate fondue.

Cheesecake

For an indulgent treat, try dipping small bites of cheesecake into your fondue.

Other Sweet Treats

Other sweet treats that can be dipped into fondue include gluten-free pound cake, gluten-free angel food cake, and vegan cheesecake bites.

Dipping suggestions

Chocolate and coconut cream fondue is a delicious treat and is very easy to make. The fondue itself is made by combining a can of sweetened cream of coconut, bittersweet or semisweet chocolate, whipping cream, and coconut extract in a saucepan over low heat. Once the chocolate has melted and the mixture is smooth, it can be transferred to a fondue pot and served with a variety of dips.

Fruits

Fresh fruits are a popular choice for dipping in chocolate fondue. Strawberries, bananas, pineapple, tangerines, apples, pears, grapes, and avocado are all great options. The sweetness of the fruit pairs well with the creamy chocolate fondue.

Biscuits and Breads

Biscotti, biscuits, cookies, and pretzels can also be dipped in chocolate fondue. These provide a crunchy texture contrast to the creamy fondue. Bread is another classic option for dipping in fondue. Cubed pieces of bread, such as sourdough, French bread, rye bread, or brioche, can be toasted to make them sturdier and easier to dip.

Nuts and Dried Fruits

Nuts and dried fruits, such as raisins or apricots, can also be dipped in chocolate fondue. These add a chewy texture and a burst of flavour to the fondue experience.

Marshmallows

Marshmallows are another popular choice for fondue dipping. They can be skewered and dipped into the warm chocolate fondue, creating a delicious treat.

Sweets and Candies

Sweets and candies, such as gummy bears, caramels, or chocolate-covered nuts, can also be dipped in chocolate fondue for an extra indulgent treat.

Other Ideas

Some other unique dipping suggestions include: churros, brownies, blondies, doughnut holes, pound cake cubes, Oreo cookies, graham crackers, and shortbread cookies.

Frequently asked questions