Chocolate Strawberry Fondue: A Decadent, Easy Treat

Chocolate fondue is a fun and easy dessert to make, and even more fun to eat! It's a great way to make dessert more interactive, with everyone choosing their favourite dippers, from fruit to cake to biscuits. It's also simple to prepare, with most recipes requiring just chocolate and cream, melted together and served in a fondue pot. For a romantic twist, why not try making chocolate-covered strawberries? Cut a V into the top of each strawberry to make a heart shape, then dip into the chocolate fondue and allow to cool.

Preparing the strawberries

Firstly, select fresh, ripe strawberries with a bright red colour and a firm texture. Avoid strawberries with bruises or soft spots. You'll need around 12 average-sized strawberries per person, or 15-20 if you're feeling generous!

Wash the strawberries gently under cool running water. Use a small paring knife or strawberry huller to carefully remove the stem and leaves from each strawberry, ensuring you don't damage the fruit.

Now, decide how you want to present your strawberries. You can keep them whole, or slice them lengthwise into halves or thirds. For a cute touch, use the tip of a small knife to cut a small 'V' at the top of each strawberry, creating a heart shape. Alternatively, use a small cookie cutter to create strawberry hearts.

If you want to get extra creative, you can insert lollipop or wooden fondue sticks into the strawberries. Gently push the stick into the centre of each strawberry slice, taking care not to push it all the way through. Place the prepared strawberries on a platter and set them aside while you make the chocolate fondue.

For an extra touch of indulgence, you can even dip the strawberries in melted chocolate before coating them in sprinkles, nuts, or coconut flakes. Simply melt some chocolate in a double boiler or microwave, dip the strawberries, and place them on a lined baking sheet to set.

Melting the chocolate

Chop the Chocolate

Before you begin melting, it's important to prepare the chocolate. Use a chef's knife to chop the chocolate into small, even pieces. You can also use good-quality chocolate chips, but be mindful that not all brands melt well. Opt for brands like Ghirardelli or Guittard, which offer bittersweet or semisweet chips that melt smoothly. Alternatively, you can use chocolate baking bars, usually found in the baking aisle above the chocolate chips.

Choose Your Melting Method

There are several methods to melt chocolate for fondue. You can use a double boiler, a saucepan, or even a microwave. Each method requires careful attention to temperature control to prevent overheating and scorching the chocolate.

Double Boiler Method:

Fill the bottom pot of your double boiler with water and place it over low heat. Place the chocolate in the insert or a heat-safe glass/metal bowl and set it above the boiling water. This method ensures gentle melting without direct heat. Stir the chocolate occasionally for even melting.

Saucepan Method:

If you don't have a double boiler, a small saucepan will do the trick. Place the chopped chocolate or chocolate chips in the saucepan and heat it over low heat. Stir frequently to prevent overheating and promote even melting. Avoid letting the chocolate come to a simmer or boil, as this can ruin its texture.

Microwave Method:

For a quicker melt, you can use a microwave. Place the chocolate in a microwave-safe bowl and heat it in short intervals of 30 seconds, stirring after each interval. Be cautious not to overcook the chocolate, as it can seize up.

Add Cream and Mix-Ins

Once your chocolate is mostly melted, it's time to add the creamy component. Pour in some heavy cream, milk, or a combination of both, and mix it into the chocolate. The amount of cream or milk added will depend on your desired consistency; add a little at a time and whisk until you achieve a glossy, thick, and smooth texture. At this stage, you can also add a pinch of salt to enhance the flavours or a teaspoon of vanilla extract for a subtle twist.

Keep it Warm

To maintain the perfect dipping consistency, keep your chocolate fondue warm. Transfer it to a fondue pot, a small slow cooker, or even a butter warmer to retain the heat. If you don't have any of these, you can simply serve the fondue in a ceramic dish, which will help retain the heat for a while. If the chocolate starts to thicken, you can always pop it back into the microwave for a few seconds to regain its smooth texture.

Adding extra ingredients

Fruits: In addition to strawberries, you can add other fruits such as bananas, chunks of pineapple, dried apricots, pears, white grapes, kiwi, orange or tangerine wedges, peaches, plums, dried figs, dried pineapple, or dried mangoes. Cut the fruits into bite-sized pieces or slices that are easy to dip.

Sweet Treats: For an extra indulgent fondue, include some sweet treats like brownies, pound cake, marshmallows, ladyfingers, Rice Krispies squares, Nilla wafers, Oreos, animal crackers, or other cookies. These will add a different texture and a more intense sweetness to your fondue experience.

Liquors and Liqueurs: A splash of liquor or liqueur can add a more grown-up twist to your fondue. Try Cointreau, Amaretto, Bailey's Irish Cream, or rum. You can also steep aromatics in the cream beforehand for a subtle flavour. For example, steep a bruised lemongrass stalk for white chocolate or a bag of Earl Grey tea for dark chocolate.

Spices and Extracts: Cinnamon and ancho chile pepper can give your fondue a Mexican hot chocolate spin. A pinch of espresso powder can also enhance the flavour of your fondue. Peppermint extract will give it a refreshing twist, while orange zest will add a fruity touch.

Nuts: Adding chopped nuts such as pecans, or serving your fondue with nuts on the side, can provide a crunchy texture and a boost of flavour. Try walnuts, pecans, or almonds.

Creative Combinations: For a unique fondue experience, try combining different ingredients. For example, create a "Flaming Turtle" fondue by using milk chocolate and adding caramel topping, rum, and chopped pecans. Or, for a "Chocolate S'mores" fondue, use milk chocolate and mix in marshmallow crème and rum, topping it with crushed graham crackers.

Choosing dippers

For a more unique fondue experience, consider using Nilla wafers, Oreos, animal crackers, or other types of cookies. Dried fruits like figs, mangoes, and pineapple also add an interesting texture to your fondue. If you're feeling creative, you can even dip crystallised ginger or graham crackers.

When preparing your dippers, keep in mind that you'll need items that can withstand being dipped and lifted out of the chocolate without falling apart. For this reason, delicate foods are not ideal for fondue. It's also a good idea to prepare a variety of dippers to give your fondue a well-rounded offering.

For a group of around six people, it's recommended to serve 2-3 kinds of fruit, such as strawberries and another fruit of your choice, along with one salty and one sweet item. This will give your guests plenty of options to customise their fondue experience.

Serving the fondue

Once you've prepared your chocolate fondue, it's time to serve it! Here are some tips and ideas for serving this delicious treat:

Serving Vessels

Fondue pots are ideal for serving chocolate fondue as they keep the chocolate warm while people dip into it. If you don't have a fondue pot, don't worry! You can use a regular pot placed on an oven mitt, a small slow cooker, a tea candle, or a small crockpot to keep the fondue warm. Alternatively, you can serve the fondue in a ceramic dish, which will retain heat better than other materials, and pop it into the microwave if it starts to thicken.

Dippers

The fun part about chocolate fondue is choosing what to dip into that delicious, melted chocolate! Fruit is a popular option, especially strawberries, but you can also try bananas, pineapple chunks, dried apricots, pears, oranges or tangerines, peaches, plums, grapes, and kiwis. If you want to go beyond fruit, try dipping brownies, pound cake, marshmallows, ladyfingers, cookies, Rice Krispie treats, pretzels, or even crystallised ginger!

Presentation

Arrange your dippers on a platter or plates around the chocolate pot. Provide your guests with fondue forks, bamboo skewers, or salad forks for dipping. If you're serving the fondue in individual portions, use butter warmers to keep the chocolate warm and avoid any double-dipping concerns.

Flavour Variations

While chocolate fondue is delicious on its own, you can also add extra flavours to take it to the next level. Try adding a pinch of salt, cinnamon, ancho chile pepper, espresso powder, orange zest, or peppermint extract. For a grown-up version, spike your fondue with a splash of liquor, such as Cointreau. If you're making white chocolate fondue, steep a bruised lemongrass stalk in the cream beforehand for a stylish, contemporary twist.

Frequently asked questions