Chocolate Fondue Recipe and Dippers

This chocolate fondue recipe is quick and easy to make with or without a fondue pot. It requires only 3 ingredients and comes with suggestions for dippers.

One of my favorite go-to family desserts is chocolate fondue. It is one of those easy desserts that bring the whole family and/or friends together without hassle. And, of course, everyone loves it!

Reasons to Make this Chocolate Fondue Recipe

• No special gadgets are needed: You don’t need a fancy fondue pot or dipping tools to make it.
• Versatile: You can also choose which type of chocolate to use (or use a mix of them) as well as which dippers (simple or fancy ones). I made this one for New Year’s Eve because I didn’t want to cook it. I used a mixture of dark and milk chocolate for a richer, deeper, and more balanced flavor. But if you are making mostly for kids, they might prefer milk chocolate only.
• Quick: Yep! You can cook your fondue in up to 5 minutes in the microwave, double boiler pot (or improvise one), or in a fondue pot if you prefer. Then, serve with a variety of dippers such as cookies, marshmallows, cubed cake, fruit, and more. The possibilities are endless. It can range from simple to fancy, depending on the occasion!
• Mess-free: Moreover, you won’t have much to wash at the end. Hooray! So awesome, right?

What is fondue?

The word fondue is the feminine passive past participle of the French verb fondre 'to melt' (but used as a noun).

There are basically 4 common types of fondue: Cheese fondue, chocolate fondue, meat fondue, and broth fondue.

Chocolate fondue follows the same concepts as cheese fondue, a Swiss dish.

It consists of melted chocolate served in a communal pot and is eaten by dipping in fruits, marshmallows, or pastries using long-stemmed forks.

There are several variations but it should be served as a dessert.

Chocolate Fondue vs. Chocolate Fountain

Please don’t be confused! Chocolate fondue is a dish (dessert) while a chocolate fountain is simply a device for serving chocolate fondue.

That means you can serve chocolate fondue in a pot (the traditional way) or in a fountain.

The latter requires the fondue to be thinner to keep from clogging up the machine. Make sure to use more dairy in your chocolate fondue recipe.

Best chocolate for fondue

The best chocolate to make fondue is smooth and melts well. I usually use some regular Lindt chocolate bars. However, if you have access to couverture chocolate --high-quality chocolate that has a higher ratio of cocoa butter to cocoa, helping it to melt more smoothly-- go for it!

In the USA, couverture chocolate must contain a minimum of 35% cocoa solids and 31% cocoa butter (which is the minimum amount). Some contain up to 39% cocoa butter. The more cocoa butter, the more fluid the chocolate is when melted.

Some of the brands that produce couverture chocolate includes Amano, Callebaut, El Rey, Felchlin, Guittard, Lindt, Scharffen Berger, and Valrhona. They usually include the word “couverture” on the package.

How to make chocolate fondue

1. If making this chocolate fondue recipe without a fondue pot, place a saucepan with some water over medium-low heat. Bring it to a simmer!
2. Put a heatproof larger bowl on top of the pan, making sure the simmering water doesn’t touch the bottom of the bowl.
3. Add the cream and bring to a simmer. Stir in the oil and vanilla.
4. Turn off the heat! Drop the chocolate into the warm mixture and swirl the bowl enough to cover the chocolate. Make sure to wear gloves.
5. Let it sit for 2 minutes in order to melt the chocolate. Then whisk until smooth! Serve immediately.

 WATCH OUR VIDEO FOR THE STEP-BY-STEP!

Quick Tips

1. Use REAL, high-quality chocolate bars. The better the chocolate you use, the smoother and more flavorful your fondue will turn out. Candy melts and chocolate chips do not work great in fondue — they are less flavorful and harden quicker.
2. The pot or fountain and utensils must be completely dry (free of any water). Water will cause the chocolate to seize, ruining the fondue.
3. Customize! You can vary the type of chocolate (milk, bittersweet, dark, or even white, or use a couple of them), add flavorings such as bourbon or vanilla extract, choose different dippers or sides, etc.
4. Dippers: Choose them according to the season and occasion. If displaying them on a board or platter, make sure to place bowls and small plates symmetrically on the board and then arrange the larger foods or those with larger amounts first. If making a chocolate fondue board for New Year's eve, incorporate your traditions. Check out our video! 

Chocolate Fondue Dippers

You may be asking yourself, what can I dip in chocolate fondue? Well, here are some suggestions:

• Fresh fruit: strawberries, blackberries, raspberries, bananas, apple and pear slices, grapes, etc (and some dried fruits as well, like apricots). If using milk chocolate, use acidic fruits such as green apples and strawberries to balance flavor, but if using dark chocolate go for sweet fruits such as bananas.
• Cookies: Oreos, macarons, pirouettes, biscotti, girl scout cookies, these shortbread cookies, etc.
• Pastries and baked goods: pound cake (store-bought or homemade such as this strawberry pound cake), Rice Krispies treats, brownie bites, large marshmallows, cubed panettone, brookies, pretzel rods, and more.
• Salty foods: Such as potato chips and bacon!
• Cheese: Yes, cheese! Acidic cheeses pair better with this dark chocolate fondue recipe, while mellow or buttery cheeses go well with milk chocolate fondue.

Making chocolate fondue with a fondue pot

With or without a pot, follow these same general guidelines:

1. To avoid burning the chocolate, heat up the liquids first (heavy cream, milk, or half-and-half)-- just like we do when making chocolate ganache! I also like to add either real butter or a mild vegetable oil and a flavoring such as vanilla extract.
2. Then dump in the chopped chocolate, making sure that is covered in liquid. To do that, swirl the pot!
3. Let it sit off the heat for a couple of minutes in order to melt.
4. Lastly, whisk well to ensure it is smooth. Pour it into the fondue pot or even into ramekins for serving.
5. If the chocolate starts to get grainy or harden, just stir in more oil or warm dairy, a teaspoon at a time, until it smooths out. If it starts to burn on the bottom of the pot, just turn off the fondue fuel. The fondue will stay warm on its own for a while!

Making chocolate fondue without a fondue pot

If you don’t have a fondue pot, use your double boiler or improvise one. I usually simmer water in a pot over medium-low heat. Then place a bowl, larger than the pot, on top. Make sure the water doesn’t touch the bottom of the bowl. After heating the liquid and following the guidelines mentioned above, I serve the fondue in ramekins. Of course, I arrange all the dippers in a platter or board such as this dessert platter and then serve the chocolate fondue last.

Another alternative method is to use a microwave-safe bowl, heat the liquid in the microwave, and add the chocolate, following the above guidelines.

Variations

• S’mores: Melt milk chocolate, then swirl in ⅓ cup marshmallow cream and top with crumbled graham crackers.
• Mint: Add ¼ teaspoon mint extract and top with chopped Andes mints if you want
• Peanut Butter: Melt milk and then swirl in ⅓ cup creamy peanut butter.
• White Chocolate Raspberry: Use melted white chocolate stirred with vegetable oil and swirl in warm raspberry jam.
• Boozy Fondue: Add a splash of bourbon or Grand Marnier.
• Healthy chocolate fondue: Use dark chocolate and coconut oil only. It makes for a dairy-free chocolate fondue recipe!

How do you make chocolate fondue thicker?

Fondue usually starts to thicken as it cools. It will never completely harden because of the cream or oil in the mixture.

For a thicker fondue, use less dairy or remove it from the heat and wait 5-7 minutes. It will start to set!

How to reheat fondue

There is more than one way. You can reheat it in a double boiler, in a pot on the stovetop over low heat, or in the microwave.

To reheat in the microwave, heat it in 30-second increments, stirring until melted. 

Etiquette

1. Reserve the fondue fork or skewer for dipping only. This means once you dip something into your fondue, drop it onto your plate and use a different utensil for eating. Or you can serve chocolate fondue in individual ramekins!
2. Rotate the fork over the pot until the chocolate stops dripping.
3. Distribute or arrange the dippers evenly – that way people don’t have to stand up or reach an arm over the fondue pot.
4. Make sure to choose a chocolate type and dippers that your guests will enjoy.

Leftovers

If you have chocolate fondue left over, don’t throw it away. Cover tightly and refrigerate for up to 2 days. Use it as a base for hot chocolate. 

Storage

Store cool chocolate fondue tightly covered in a clean container  free of odor in the fridge for up to 2 days. Do not freeze; otherwise, it may become grainy.

Other chocolate desserts to enjoy

• Chocolate Chess Pie
• Easy Chocolate Mousse
• Brigadeiros Recipe
• Brigadeirao (Brazilian Chocolate Fudge Flan)

PIN & ENJOY!