Melting Chocolate In An Oster Fondue Pot: A Guide

Melting chocolate in an Oster fondue pot is a straightforward process. First, add chocolate chips or chopped chocolate to the pot and turn it on at a low heat setting. Then, add in some heavy cream and a pinch of sea salt, stirring gently as the chocolate melts. It's important not to let the fondue boil, as this can ruin its texture. Once the chocolate is fully melted, you can add in other ingredients like vanilla or peanut butter. If you don't have a fondue pot, you can also melt chocolate in a saucepan or double boiler, but be sure to keep the bowl very dry to avoid seizing up the chocolate.

How to melt chocolate in an Oster fondue pot

Ingredients

• 12 oz milk chocolate (chips or chopped from a block of chocolate)
• 1 cup heavy cream
• Pinch of sea salt
• Dippers of your choice (strawberries, bananas, marshmallows, pretzels, etc.)

Method

• Add the chocolate chips to the bowl of the Oster fondue pot and turn it on to a low heat setting.
• Pour in the heavy cream and add a pinch of sea salt.
• Begin stirring immediately as the chocolate starts to melt. Continue stirring until the chocolate is completely melted.
• Reduce the heat if the fondue starts to simmer or boil, as this can scorch the chocolate and make the texture grainy.
• Once the chocolate is fully melted, the fondue should look glossy, thick, and smooth.
• If you want to add extra flavour, stir in a teaspoon of vanilla extract or another flavouring of your choice (e.g. orange extract, peppermint extract, espresso powder, or liqueur).
• If the fondue is too thick, you can adjust the consistency by whisking in additional cream or milk until you reach your desired consistency.
• Serve with a platter of dippers and fondue forks or bamboo skewers for dipping.

Tips:

• If you don't have an Oster fondue pot, you can use a regular pot or saucepan. Just place an oven mitt or pot holder on your table and put the hot pot of melted chocolate on top.
• Make sure the pot or bowl you use to melt the chocolate is very dry, as any water can cause the chocolate to seize up.
• You can also use a double boiler to melt the chocolate, but be careful not to let any water get into the chocolate.
• If you want to make the fondue in advance, let the mixture cool and then refrigerate. When you're ready to serve, gently reheat the fondue in the microwave or in a heatproof bowl over a pot of simmering water.

What to dip in chocolate fondue

There are endless options for what to dip in your chocolate fondue! Here are some ideas:

Fruit

Fresh fruit is a popular choice for chocolate fondue. Strawberries, bananas, pineapple, mango, papaya, pears, apples, oranges, peaches, plums, apricots, blueberries, blackberries, raspberries, and dried fruits like figs, pineapple, and mango are all great options. Chocolate-covered strawberries are considered the most romantic treat, but any fruit of your choice will do!

Cookies and Biscuits

Cookies and biscuits are also great for dipping. Try Oreos, Nilla wafers, gingernut biscuits, custard creams, shortbread, biscotti, or pink wafers.

Cake

Small cubes of pound cake, angel food cake, or sponge cake are perfect for dipping. You could also use brownies, but make sure to cut them into small pieces as they can be quite rich.

Marshmallows

Marshmallows are a classic choice for chocolate fondue. Use larger marshmallows as they are easier to dip. You can also make s'mores by smooshing a marshmallow between two graham crackers.

Pretzels and Potato Chips

The salty, crunchy texture of pretzels and potato chips pairs well with the sweet, velvety flavour of melted chocolate. Go for sturdier options like pretzel rods and wavy chips.

Cheesecake

Cut a large cheesecake into small squares and carefully dip them into the chocolate fondue. This is a delicate dipper, so be careful not to break it while swirling and twirling.

Other Sweet Treats

Other sweet treats that can be dipped include Rice Krispies treats, honeycomb, mini donuts, mini cakes or cupcakes, mini pancakes, waffles, brownies, and biscotti.

Savoury Options

For a salty-sweet combination, try candied bacon or cheese, like Gouda, dipped in chocolate fondue.

How to adjust the consistency of chocolate fondue

The consistency of chocolate fondue is key to achieving the perfect fondue experience. Too thick, and it may become gloopy and difficult to dip; too thin, and it may not coat your chosen treats evenly. Luckily, adjusting the consistency of your chocolate fondue is a simple process.

Thickening Your Fondue

If your fondue is too runny, there are a few simple steps you can take to thicken it. Firstly, check the temperature of your fondue pot. If it is too hot, the chocolate may become thin and grainy. Remove the pot from the heat source and reduce the temperature—this may help the fondue to thicken.

If your fondue is still too thin, you can try adding more chocolate. Chopped chocolate or chocolate chips work well, and it is important to use good-quality chocolate that melts smoothly. Gradually add small amounts of chocolate, stirring as you go, until you reach the desired consistency.

Thinning Your Fondue

On the other hand, if your fondue is too thick, you can easily adjust this by adding a small amount of liquid. Milk or cream are good options, and you can also use a liqueur to add a grown-up twist to your fondue. Simply whisk in a little extra liquid, a small amount at a time, until you reach the perfect consistency.

Maintaining Your Fondue

Once your fondue is at the perfect consistency, there are a few things you can do to maintain it. If you are using a fondue pot, ensure it is set to a low heat setting. If your fondue starts to stiffen, you can add a small amount of cream to loosen it up. If you are not using a fondue pot, you can keep your fondue warm by placing it in a small slow cooker, or in a saucepan over a boil of very hot water.

How to keep chocolate fondue warm

To keep your chocolate fondue warm, you have several options. If you have a fondue pot, you can simply use that to keep the chocolate warm while serving. If you don't have a fondue pot, you can use a regular pot placed on an oven mitt or a thick towel to prevent damage to your table. You can also use a small slow cooker, a heating pad, or a double boiler to keep the fondue warm. Additionally, you can place the fondue pot over a small tea candle or canned Sterno fuel to maintain the temperature, but be careful as these can burn very hot. If using Sterno fuel, remember to keep an eye on the temperature and adjust as needed by turning it off, partially covering the can, or adding more cream to the fondue.

How to prepare chocolate fondue in advance

Chocolate fondue is a fun and interactive dessert that can be made even more enjoyable by preparing it in advance. Here are the steps to make and enjoy chocolate fondue, with tips on how to get ahead and make the process smoother.

Ingredients

Fondue is an easy dessert to prepare, requiring only a few simple ingredients. You will need:

• Chocolate (milk, dark, or white chocolate, or a combination)
• Heavy cream or milk
• Optional flavourings such as vanilla, orange or peppermint extract, or cinnamon and chilli
• Dippers such as fruit, cake, or cookies

Melting the Chocolate

Start by combining the chocolate, cream or milk, and any desired flavourings in a saucepan or stovetop-proof fondue pot. Place the pot over low heat and stir occasionally until the chocolate is fully melted and the mixture is smooth and glossy. Be careful not to let the fondue simmer or boil, as this can affect the texture.

Preparing in Advance

If you want to prepare the fondue in advance, simply follow the above steps and then allow the mixture to cool. Once cooled, you can refrigerate the fondue for up to a day or two until you are ready to serve it.

Reheating

When you are ready to serve the fondue, gently rewarm the mixture. This can be done in a microwave in 30-second intervals, stirring after each interval, or by placing the chocolate mix in a heatproof bowl over a pot of simmering water. Alternatively, you can rewarm it directly in your fondue pot, but the previous methods give you more control over the temperature.

Serving

Once the fondue is warm and smooth, transfer it to your fondue pot, if you haven't already done so. If using a tea light or canned heat source under your fondue pot, be mindful that these can get very hot and may need to be adjusted or partially covered if the fondue becomes too hot. You can also use a small crockpot or candle warmer to keep the fondue warm.

Arrange your chosen dippers on a platter or plates around the fondue pot, and provide fondue forks or skewers for your guests. Enjoy!

Frequently asked questions