Chocolate Fondue: The Best Dippers And Toppings

Chocolate fondue is a fun and easy dessert to make for any occasion. The key to a good chocolate fondue is the chocolate you use. It is best to use a good-quality chocolate, such as Ghirardelli, Guittard, or Dove chocolates. You can use a combination of milk chocolate, dark chocolate, and white chocolate, or just use one type. It is important to avoid using chocolate with added ingredients that help maintain their shape, as this will make the fondue less smooth. Instead, opt for chocolate melting wafers or bars of chocolate that you can chop up. To make the fondue, simply melt the chocolate with some cream, and add a pinch of salt and vanilla extract to taste. You can also add a splash of alcohol, such as brandy, for a more adult treat. Serve with a variety of dippers, such as fruit, cookies, cake, or even pretzels and potato chips for a salty contrast.

Chocolate chips or bars

When choosing chocolate chips or bars, it's important to select a good-quality brand. Look for chocolate with ingredients you can pronounce and avoid those with hydrogenated oils or other weird additives. Some recommended brands include Ghirardelli, Guittard, Dove, Godiva, and Hershey. If you're using dark chocolate, pay attention to the cacao percentage, as a higher percentage will result in a more bitter flavour. Aim for chocolate with a cacao content between 60% and 70% for a more balanced taste.

Additionally, consider the type of chocolate you prefer. Milk chocolate is a crowd-pleaser and goes well with almost any dipper. Dark or semi-sweet chocolate, on the other hand, pairs perfectly with salty dippers like candied bacon, pretzels, or potato chips. White chocolate is also an excellent choice for a classy fondue party, especially when paired with strawberries, pretzels, chocolate cookies, cheesecake, or brownie bites.

When making chocolate fondue, simply combine your chosen chocolate with heavy cream or milk in a medium saucepan over medium-low heat. Stir continuously until the chocolate has melted, being careful not to let the mixture boil. You can adjust the consistency by adding more cream or milk if needed. Finally, pour the mixture into your fondue pot and enjoy dipping!

Milk chocolate

Ingredients

When making milk chocolate fondue, it is important to use high-quality chocolate. Look for chocolate bars or chips with simple, recognisable ingredients. Some recommended brands include Dove, Godiva, Ghirardelli, Hershey, and Guittard. Avoid using chocolate chips, as they don't melt as well and can affect the taste. Instead, opt for chocolate baking bars, which are usually found in the baking aisle. If you want to add an extra touch of luxury, you can include some white chocolate, but be sure to adjust the amount of cream or milk accordingly to achieve the desired consistency.

Liquids

For the liquid component, a combination of whole milk and heavy whipping cream will result in a super creamy fondue with the perfect "coatability". You can also use half-and-half or milk with unsalted butter for a more intense chocolate flavour. If you want to thin out the fondue, simply add a little extra milk.

Flavourings

Vanilla extract is a classic addition to chocolate fondue, but you can also experiment with other extracts like orange, mint, peppermint, or almond. For a boozy twist, try adding a splash of Kahlua, Bailey's Irish Cream, brandy, or whiskey.

Method

Start by chopping your chocolate into small pieces and combining it with the milk and cream in a small bowl or saucepan. Gently melt the mixture using a double boiler, microwave, or stovetop on low heat, stirring frequently. Be careful not to let the mixture boil, as this can affect the texture. Once the chocolate is fully melted and the mixture is smooth, stir in your chosen flavourings and a pinch of salt to enhance the flavours.

Dippers

The options for dippers are endless! Fresh fruit, such as strawberries, bananas, and pineapple, are always a popular choice. You can also dip cookies (Oreos, vanilla wafers, biscotti), marshmallows, Rice Krispie treats, pretzels, or even potato chips for a sweet and salty combination. If you want to get creative, try drying out segments of citrus fruit in a warm oven to create a burst of juice when you take a bite!

Dark chocolate

To make a dark chocolate fondue, you will need:

• 10 oz of dark or semi-sweet chocolate chips or chopped chocolate.
• 1/3 cup of milk (not skimmed).
• 2/3 to 3/4 cup of heavy cream.
• 1 teaspoon of vanilla extract.
• A pinch of salt (optional).

You can also add a teaspoon of orange or peppermint extract instead of the vanilla for a more unique flavour.

Combine the chocolate, milk and cream in a saucepan or fondue pot and heat on low, stirring often, until the chocolate is melted and the mixture is smooth. Be careful not to let the fondue boil as this can cause the chocolate to become grainy. Once the chocolate is melted, stir in the vanilla and salt (if using). If the fondue is too thick, you can thin it out by whisking in a little extra cream or milk.

White chocolate

To make a white chocolate fondue, you can use a white chocolate bar or white chocolate chips. You will also need cream, butter, and vanilla extract. Some recipes suggest adding a pinch of salt, and others recommend adding light corn syrup.

Ingredients:

• 1/2 cup heavy cream
• 2 tablespoons unsalted butter
• 12 ounces white chocolate, chopped into small pieces
• 1/4 teaspoon salt
• 1 teaspoon vanilla extract

Method:

• Combine the cream, butter, white chocolate, salt, and vanilla extract in a small saucepan.
• Place the saucepan over low heat and stir until the chocolate has melted and the mixture is smooth. This should take about 5 minutes. Be sure to scrape the sides and bottom of the pan to prevent the chocolate from burning.
• Pour the mixture into a fondue pot and place it over a low heat source to keep it warm while serving.

You can serve the fondue with a variety of dippers, such as fresh fruit (strawberries, apples, bananas, and grapes), brownie bites, marshmallows, pretzels, graham crackers, rice krispy treats, or pound cake.

Cream

When making chocolate fondue, the type of cream you use is important. Heavy cream is the most commonly used, but whipping cream and whole milk are also options. The cream is heated until steaming, and then chocolate is added and stirred until melted. If your fondue is too thick, you can add a little milk to thin it out.

The ratio of chocolate to cream is a matter of personal preference, but a good starting point is 10 oz of chocolate to 1/3 cup of milk and 1/3 cup of cream. You can always add more cream to get your desired consistency. If you're making a large batch, you might need to adjust the amounts of chocolate and cream slightly.

It's important to use good-quality chocolate for your fondue. Chopped chocolate or chocolate chips can be used, but it's important to choose a brand that melts well. Some recommended brands include Ghirardelli, Guittard, and Dove. Avoid using chocolate chips that contain stabilizing ingredients, as these can affect the smoothness of your fondue.

If you're looking for a more budget-friendly option, you can use cocoa powder instead of chocolate. This will give you a similar result at a lower cost.

Frequently asked questions