Chocolate Fondue: Creative Dipping Ideas For A Sweet Treat

Chocolate fondue is a fun and interactive dessert that's perfect for any occasion, whether it's a romantic dinner for two or a get-together with friends and family. It's easy to make and only requires a few simple ingredients: chocolate, cream or milk, and a pinch of vanilla or other flavourings. The key to a great fondue is using high-quality chocolate, such as bars or chips from brands like Ghirardelli, Guittard, or Dove. You can experiment with different types of chocolate, such as semi-sweet, milk, dark, or white chocolate, to find your favourite combination.

Once you've melted the chocolate with cream or milk over low heat, you can add a variety of dippers such as fresh fruit (strawberries, bananas, pineapple), cookies (Oreos, vanilla wafers), marshmallows, pound cake, and even unique options like potato chips or dried apricots. The possibilities are endless!

So, whether you're hosting a fondue party, having a cosy night in, or looking for a fun dessert idea, chocolate fondue is a delicious and entertaining option that everyone will enjoy.

Dipping options: fruit, cake, marshmallows, biscuits, pretzels, etc

There are endless options for what you can dip into your chocolate fondue! Here are some ideas:

Fruit

Fresh fruit is a great option for dipping into chocolate fondue. Strawberries, blackberries, raspberries, bananas, pineapple, orange segments, pears, apples, and dried fruit like apricots, mangoes, and papayas all work well. If you're feeling adventurous, you can even try dipping kumquats or segments of seedless clementines, oranges, or grapefruit.

Cake

Cubes of cake, angel food cake, or pound cake are also excellent choices for dipping. To make it easier for the cake to stay on your skewers, cut it into cubes and let it sit out for a few hours before dipping.

Marshmallows

Large marshmallows are a perfect treat to dip into chocolate fondue. They're soft and fluffy, and the chocolate will add a delicious flavour.

Biscuits

There are many types of biscuits that you can dip into your chocolate fondue. Vanilla wafers, biscotti, Oreos, Nutter Butters, Pirouettes, Milanos, Graham crackers, and digestive biscuits are all great options.

Pretzels

Pretzels provide a savoury contrast to the sweetness of the chocolate fondue. They're a crunchy and salty option that can be a nice change of pace from the other sweet dippers.

Chocolate types: semi-sweet, milk, dark, or white chocolate

Chocolate fondue is a versatile dessert that can be made with different types of chocolate to suit varying tastes. Here is a guide to help you choose the right chocolate for your fondue:

Semi-Sweet Chocolate

Semi-sweet chocolate is a popular choice for fondue as it offers a good balance between sweetness and bitterness. It has a more intense chocolate flavour than milk chocolate but is not as bitter as dark chocolate. Combining semi-sweet and milk chocolate can result in a rich and deep flavour profile.

Milk Chocolate

Milk chocolate is sweeter and creamier than semi-sweet or dark chocolate due to its higher milk content. It is a good option if you prefer your fondue to be on the sweeter side. However, keep in mind that milk chocolate can be more challenging to melt and may require additional cream or milk to achieve the desired consistency.

Dark Chocolate

Dark chocolate fondue is perfect for true chocolate lovers who appreciate a rich, intense flavour. When making dark chocolate fondue, it is essential to use high-quality chocolate and avoid overheating, as this can cause the chocolate to become grainy. Dark chocolate pairs well with a variety of dippers, including fruit, marshmallows, cookies, and brownies.

White Chocolate

White chocolate fondue offers a sweet and creamy experience. It is made with white chocolate chips, heavy cream or whipping cream, light corn syrup, butter, and vanilla extract. White chocolate fondue is versatile and can be paired with various dipping options such as pretzel rods, brownies, marshmallows, and fruits.

Fondue pots: metal, ceramic, or electric

Fondue pots come in a variety of materials, including metal, ceramic, and electric. Here's a detailed overview of each type:

Metal Fondue Pots

Metal fondue pots are typically made of stainless steel or enameled cast iron. They are sturdy, durable, and can withstand high temperatures, making them suitable for hot oil or broth fondue. They usually have a large capacity and can be heavy. Metal fondue pots can go directly from the stovetop to the table, eliminating the need for transferring the contents. However, they may not distribute heat evenly, and hot spots can occur, potentially scorch chocolate or cheese fondue. To address this issue, some metal fondue pots are sold with a porcelain insert or a splatter-guard collar.

Ceramic Fondue Pots

Ceramic fondue pots are ideal for cheese fondue as they distribute heat evenly and reduce the likelihood of burning. They are heavy, shallow vessels that are easy to clean and often microwave-safe. Ceramic pots have a flat bottom and a large opening to accommodate dipping. However, they are not suitable for hot oil fondue as they cannot withstand extremely high temperatures.

Electric Fondue Pots

Electric fondue pots are a modern and convenient option. They heat up quickly, offer excellent temperature control, and are easy to adjust. Most electric fondue pots are versatile and can be used for various types of fondue, including cheese, chocolate, oil, broth, and more. They usually have non-stick interiors and are dishwasher-safe, making cleanup a breeze. However, they require access to a power outlet and may have a short power cord, which can be a hassle during setup.

Add-ins: peanut butter, peppermint extract, cinnamon, or alcohol

Peanut Butter

The peanut butter and chocolate fondue is a rich and decadent dip that is perfect for parties or whenever you feel like treating yourself. It is an easy sweet fondue recipe with only three ingredients. You can use a microwave, stovetop, or crockpot to make this fondue.

• Chocolate chips (milk chocolate or dark chocolate)
• Heavy whipping cream
• Peanut butter (use a regular store brand like Skippy or Jif, not natural peanut butter)

Peppermint Extract

Peppermint extract can be added to the chocolate fondue to give it a refreshing twist. Start with 1/4 teaspoon and increase according to taste.

Cinnamon

Add a 1/2 teaspoon of cinnamon and a 1/2 teaspoon of ancho chile pepper to the chocolate fondue for a Mexican hot chocolate spin.

Alcohol

For a more grown-up version, you can add alcohol such as Amaretto or Bailey's Irish Cream to the chocolate fondue.

Preparation: melt chocolate with cream, stir, and serve

Ingredients

Chocolate fondue is a simple combination of chocolate and cream. You can use milk, dark, or semi-sweet chocolate, or a mixture of these. Chopped chocolate or chocolate chips can be used, but it is important to use good-quality chocolate as not all brands melt well. Some recommended brands are Ghirardelli, Guittard, and Baker's. If you are using chocolate chips, you may need to add a touch more cream to thin out the fondue. You will also need milk or cream, and some recipes suggest adding a small amount of butter for a more mellow flavour.

Method

Combine the chocolate and cream in a saucepan or fondue pot and heat gently, stirring occasionally, until the chocolate is completely melted. Do not let the mixture come to a simmer or boil, as this can cause the fondue to become grainy. Once melted, the fondue should look glossy, thick, and smooth. If the fondue is too thick, you can add a little more milk or cream to thin it out. Finally, stir in a small amount of vanilla extract and serve.

Serving

Fondue can be served straight from the saucepan or transferred to a fondue pot to keep it warm. It can be served with a variety of dippers, such as fruit, cookies, cake, marshmallows, or even potato chips.

Frequently asked questions