The Sweet Fondue Dessert Experience

Fondue is a Swiss dish that typically consists of a communal pot of melted cheese and wine, eaten by dipping bread, vegetables, or other snacks. However, the term fondue has been generalised to refer to other sweet dishes, such as chocolate fondue, where fruit or pastry are dipped into melted chocolate, and salted caramel fondue, where bites and nibbles such as assorted fruit, cheesecake, and brownies are dunked into a warm, creamy salted caramel mixture.

Fondue dessert dippers

Fondue is a Swiss dish that traditionally consists of melted cheese and wine, served in a communal pot and eaten by dipping bread, vegetables, or other snacks. However, the term "fondue" has been generalised to include other dishes where food is dipped into a communal pot of liquid kept warm in a fondue pot. This includes chocolate fondue, where pieces of fruit or pastry are dipped into melted chocolate, and fondue bourguignonne, where pieces of meat are cooked in hot oil or broth.

Dessert fondue is a fun and interactive way to end a meal, and there are endless possibilities when it comes to choosing dippers. Here are some ideas for fondue dessert dippers to get you started:

Fruits

Fruits are the obvious place to start when it comes to dessert fondue dippers. Strawberries, bananas, pineapple chunks, and dried apricots are all excellent choices. You can also try something different like chocolate-covered blueberries, orange slices, frozen banana bites, kiwi popsicles, or dark chocolate-covered strawberries.

Cookies and Biscuits

Cookies and biscuits also make great fondue dippers. Try vanilla wafers, biscotti, Oreos, Nilla wafers, animal crackers, or your favourite cookie. For a salty-sweet combination, pretzels are a good option.

Cakes and Pastries

Cubes of cake, brownies, and pound cake are perfect for dipping into fondue. Angel food cake, in particular, is a popular choice. For a more indulgent option, try dipping chunks of cheesecake.

Confectionery

If you want to take your fondue to the next level, try dipping confectionery such as candy bars, red licorice, jelly beans, or marshmallows.

Savoury Options

While dessert fondue is typically sweet, there are also some savoury options that can be delicious. Potato chips, for example, can be surprisingly good dipped in chocolate.

So, there you have it! Whether you're a chocolate, caramel, or cheese fondue fan, there are endless possibilities when it comes to fondue dessert dippers. Get creative, and don't be afraid to experiment with different combinations of sweet and salty, cool and warm, and soft and crunchy textures.

Fondue dessert recipes

Fondue is a Swiss dish typically consisting of a communal pot of melted cheese and wine, or other melted foods, into which one dips bread, vegetables, or other foods. Since the 1950s, the term "fondue" has been generalized to other dishes in which a food is dipped into a communal pot of liquid kept hot in a fondue pot. This includes chocolate fondue, in which pieces of fruit or pastry are dipped into a melted chocolate mixture, and fondue bourguignonne, in which pieces of meat are cooked in hot oil or broth.

Simple Chocolate Fondue

This recipe is very simple and only requires two ingredients: 12 ounces of dark or milk chocolate and 1 cup of heavy cream. Heat the cream in the microwave or in a saucepan on the stove. Once it is steaming, remove it from the heat and stir in the chopped chocolate or chocolate chips. Continue stirring until the chocolate has melted and is smooth. You can serve this fondue with a variety of dippers, such as cookies, angel food cake, candy, or fruit.

Peanut Butter Fondue

This fondue has a white chocolate and peanut butter base, creating a smooth and dippable treat. Simply add a few spoonfuls of peanut butter to your chocolate fondue and stir to create a swirl effect. Leave streaks of peanut butter visible for a prettier presentation. This fondue goes well with both sweet and salty dippers.

Marshmallow Fondue

Add a couple of spoonfuls of marshmallow fluff to your chocolate fondue and swirl it around. For a prettier presentation, do not stir it too much and leave streaks of marshmallow visible.

Salted Caramel Fondue

This fondue is easy to make on the stove-top and tastes good on everything. Combine sugar and water in a medium saucepan and cook over medium heat until the sugar is completely dissolved. Increase the heat to medium-high and cook without stirring until the mixture turns medium amber. Remove the pan from the heat and pour in the heavy cream. Whisk until a smooth sauce forms. Add cubed butter and stir until melted. Finally, whisk in vanilla extract and sea salt. Serve with assorted dippers such as frozen cheesecake squares, berries, grapes, pound cake, or brownies.

S'mores Fondue

This fondue combines heavy cream, marshmallow cream, and chocolate to create an ultra-dippable sweet dessert.

Fondue dessert presentation

Fondue is a Swiss dish that typically consists of cheese and wine served in a communal pot. However, the term "fondue" has been generalised to other dishes, such as chocolate fondue, where pieces of fruit or pastry are dipped into melted chocolate.

Fondue Pot and Utensils

Use a fondue pot to keep the dessert warm while serving. If you don't have one, a regular pot will do; just place it on an oven mitt to protect your table. Provide your guests with long-stemmed forks or skewers for dipping.

Chocolate Fondue

Chocolate fondue is a popular choice for dessert. Use your favourite type of chocolate—milk, dark, white, or a combination. Combine it with heavy cream, and you can add a pinch of salt. Melt the chocolate and cream together, stirring until smooth. You can also add extra flavours such as peppermint extract, cinnamon and chilli, or liquor for an adult version.

Dippers

Provide a variety of dippers for your guests to choose from. Popular choices include fruit (strawberries, bananas, pineapple, dried apricots), brownies, pound cake, marshmallows, ladyfingers, cookies (vanilla wafers, Oreos, biscotti), angel food cake, pretzels, and even potato chips.

Presentation

Arrange the dippers on a platter or board around the fondue pot. You can create a circular pattern by placing the dippers in wedges. If using fruit, fill in the spaces with different types of berries or other sliced fruit.

Creativity

Get creative with your fondue and dippers! Try out different combinations of chocolate, such as milk and white chocolate, or experiment with adding candy bars to the fondue. For dippers, consider items like Rice Krispies treats, dried fruits, or even cubes of cake.

Safety

Be mindful of food safety, especially when serving melted chocolate. If the fondue starts to stiffen, add a little more hot cream and stir. Eventually, you may need to start with a fresh pot of fondue.

Fondue desserts are a fun and interactive way to indulge your sweet tooth. Get creative with your ingredients and enjoy the dipping experience with family and friends!

History of fondue dessert

Fondue is a Swiss dish typically consisting of melted cheese and wine served in a communal pot. The earliest known recipe for the modern form of cheese fondue comes from a 1699 book published in Zurich, under the name "Käss mit Wein zu kochen" or "to cook cheese with wine". It calls for grated or cut-up cheese to be melted with wine, and for bread to be dipped in it.

During the 18th century, fondue became a way for Swiss villagers to use aged cheeses and stale bread—foods that were saved and stored during the cold winter months. Heating the cheese with wine, garlic, and herbs made the stale bread softer and easier to eat when dipped into the cheese mixture. This way of cooking and eating together over one pot and a warm fire became a Swiss winter tradition known as fondue.

In the 1930s, the Swiss Cheese Union promoted fondue as a Swiss national dish to increase cheese consumption. The Swiss Cheese Union also created pseudo-regional recipes as part of the "spiritual defence of Switzerland". After World War II, the Swiss Cheese Union continued its marketing campaign, sending fondue sets to military regiments and event organizers across Switzerland. Fondue is now a symbol of Swiss unity and is often associated with mountains and winter sports.

In the 1950s, Swiss cheese fondue became extremely popular in the United States, leading to "fondue parties" and the production and sale of fondue pots, plates, and utensils. The popularity of cheese fondue inspired variations on the basic recipe, including chocolate fondue.

Chocolate fondue, or dessert fondue, was an American invention that emerged in the mid-20th century. While there are several claimants to its invention, Chef Konrad Elgi of New York's Chalet Swiss restaurant is often credited with creating the chocolate variation as a dessert fondue in 1964.

Fondue dessert pots

Fondue is a Swiss dish that typically consists of cheese and wine, served in a communal pot. However, the term "fondue" has since been generalised to other dishes, including chocolate fondue, where fruit or pastry is dipped into melted chocolate.

Chocolate fondue is a popular choice for dessert. You can use milk, dark, or white chocolate, or a combination of all three! Chopped-up candy bars can be added for extra flavour and crunch. A little cream will help you achieve a smooth consistency that's perfect for dipping.

The best part about fondue dessert pots is the variety of things you can dip into the chocolate. Strawberries, bananas, and marshmallows are classic choices, but you can also dip pretzels, cookies, or even potato chips for a sweet and salty combination. If you're feeling healthy, dried fruit works great, too.

For an extra special touch, you can add extra flavours to your chocolate. Peppermint extract, cinnamon, or a splash of liquor all make delicious additions.

So, get your fondue pot ready, melt that chocolate, and let your creativity flow with all the dipping possibilities!

Frequently asked questions