Fondue chocolate is a delicious melted chocolate dip typically made from mixing chocolate and cream. It is meant to be dipped and eaten with fruit, cake, cookies, or other treats. Fondue chocolate can come in many varieties but most often it consists of dark, milk, or white chocolate.
What ingredients are used to make fondue chocolate?
The basic ingredients used to make fondue chocolate are:
- Chocolate – This forms the base of the fondue. Dark, milk, and white chocolate are most commonly used.
- Cream or milk – This is mixed with the chocolate to give it a smooth, creamy texture.
- Butter – A small amount of butter helps enhance the smooth, creamy texture.
- Liqueur – Liqueurs like Grand Marnier, Amaretto, Kirsch, etc are sometimes added to flavor the chocolate.
The exact ingredients and proportions vary slightly depending on whether you are making a dark, milk or white chocolate fondue. Here are some examples:
Dark Chocolate Fondue
- 12 oz dark chocolate, chopped
- 1 1/4 cups heavy cream
- 2 tbsp butter
- 2-3 tbsp liqueur (optional)
Milk Chocolate Fondue
- 12 oz milk chocolate, chopped
- 1 1/4 cups heavy cream
- 2 tbsp butter
- 1-2 tbsp liqueur (optional)
White Chocolate Fondue
- 12 oz white chocolate, chopped
- 1 cup heavy cream
- 2 tbsp butter
- 1-2 tbsp liqueur (optional)
As you can see, the general method is to take chocolate (dark, milk or white) and mix it with some heavy cream and a small amount of butter to get a smooth, creamy consistency. Liqueurs are optional to add different flavors.
What is the difference between dark, milk and white chocolate?
The type of chocolate used affects the taste and texture of the fondue. Here is an overview:
Dark Chocolate
- Made from cocoa solids, cocoa butter, sugar
- Deep chocolate flavor, slightly bitter
- Rich, dense texture
Milk Chocolate
- Made from cocoa solids, cocoa butter, milk solids, sugar
- Sweeter, creamier, milky taste
- Smooth, creamy texture
White Chocolate
- Made from cocoa butter, milk solids, sugar
- Milky, sweet flavor
- Smooth, creamy texture
Dark chocolate makes for an intensely chocolatey fondue while milk chocolate is sweeter and milder. White chocolate gives you the creamiest, mildest fondue.
How is fondue chocolate made?
Making fondue chocolate is a simple process that involves melting and mixing the ingredients together:
- Chop the chocolate into small even pieces so it melts smoothly. Place in a bowl or top part of a double boiler.
- In a saucepan, heat the cream just until simmering. Pour the hot cream over the chocolate pieces and let sit 1-2 minutes so the chocolate begins melting.
- Gently stir the chocolate and cream together until the chocolate has completely melted and the mixture is smooth and homogenous.
- Add in the butter and any optional liqueurs and stir until fully combined.
- Transfer the fondue chocolate to a fondue pot and keep warm over a fondue burner at low-medium heat.
- Spear bite sized pieces of fruit, cake, marshmallows etc and dip into the melted chocolate! Enjoy!
The key things to get that perfect fondue texture are:
- Chopping the chocolate so it melts smoothly
- Heating the cream properly so it fully melts the chocolate
- Stirring thoroughly so the fondue is completely smooth
- Keeping the fondue warm at the right temperature as you eat
What can you dip into fondue chocolate?
One of the best things about fondue is getting creative with dipping items! Here are some popular items to dip into chocolate fondue:
| Fruit | Cakes/Pastries | Other Sweet Treats |
|---|---|---|
| Strawberries | Pound cake | Marshmallows |
| Bananas | Donut holes | Rice krispie treats |
| Apple slices | Brownies | Pretzels |
| Pineapple | Cookies | Graham crackers |
| Oranges | Angel food cake | Fudge |
| Kiwi | Funnel cake | Peanut butter cups |
Get creative with your own favorite fruits, sweets and other treats! The soft fruits and cakes pair wonderfully with the melted chocolate.
What equipment is needed for chocolate fondue?
Chocolate fondue only requires a few key equipment items:
- Fondue pot – This is designed to keep chocolate or cheese dips heated and melted for dipping.
- Fondue forks – Long forks with handles are used to dip items into the chocolate.
- Fondue burner – A low-heat burner is placed under the pot to gently warm the chocolate.
- Ingredients – Chocolate, cream, butter, liqueurs, items for dipping.
Nice-to-have items include:
- A double boiler to melt the chocolate gently
- A chopping knife and board to chop chocolate
- A ladle to help serve fondue into bowls
Fondue pots, forks, and burners can be purchased as full kits for easy fondue setup.
Tips for the perfect fondue chocolate
Here are some top tips for getting chocolate fondue just right:
1. Use quality chocolate
Splurge on the best dark, milk or white chocolate you can buy. This makes a big difference in the chocolate flavor.
2. Chop chocolate finely
Finely chopped chocolate melts faster and smoother. Chop into pea sized pieces before melting.
3. Heat cream slowly
Heat cream slowly just until simmering to prevent burning or scalding which can ruin the flavor.
4. Stir thoroughly
Stir very well so the fondue is completely smooth, with no lumps of unmelted chocolate.
5. Control temperature
Keep fondue warm at low-medium heat. Too hot and the chocolate can stiffen or burn.
6. Provide variety of dippers
Offer lots of options like fruit, cake, cookies, marshmallows for dunking in the chocolate!
Can you make fondue chocolate in advance?
It’s best to make fondue chocolate fresh right before serving, but you can make it 1-2 days ahead if needed:
- Prepare the chocolate fondue through step 4 of the instructions so it is mixed but not yet warm.
- Transfer to an airtight container and refrigerate until ready to use.
- When ready, reheat gently, transfer to a fondue pot and keep warm over burner.
- Stir frequently while reheating so it regains a smooth, homogenous consistency.
- Add a tablespoon or two of cream if it seems too thick after reheating.
The flavors may start to dull after a couple days so fresh is still best! But this works in a pinch.
Fun ways to serve fondue chocolate
Beyond the standard pot of chocolate, here are fun ideas to serve it:
Chocolate Fountain
Pour melted chocolate into a tiered fountain for a gorgeous cascading effect. Dip treats under each flowing tier.
Individual fondue pots
Give each person their own pot for effortless dipping at their own pace. Great for parties!
Skewers
Thread pieces of fruit, cake, marshmallows onto skewers for neat and easy dipping.
Dipping bowls
Offer little bowls of melted chocolate for dunking items into instead of a communal pot.
S’mores bar
Set up a toppings bar with chocolate fondue, marshmallows, graham crackers, nut butters for DIY s’mores!
Dessert spread
Include the chocolate fondue as part of a beautiful dessert table display along with fruits, cakes, sweets.
Delicious fondue chocolate combinations
1. Classic Dark Chocolate
Made with an blend of bittersweet and semi-sweet chocolate. Dip bananas, strawberries, pound cake.
2. Milk Chocolate Marshmallow
Creamy milk chocolate fondue with marshmallow swirled in. Dip rice krispies treats, brownies, marshmallows.
3. White Chocolate Raspberry
Sweet white chocolate with raspberry puree swirled in for a fruity kick. Dip apples, pineapple, angel food cake.
4. Dark Chocolate Orange
Use orange liqueur and orange zest to infuse the dark chocolate with orange essence. Dip orange slices.
5. Milk Chocolate Peanut Butter
Swirl peanut butter into milk chocolate for a nutty, chocolatey fondue. Dip graham crackers, bananas, pretzels.
6. S’mores Fondue
Milk chocolate fondue with marshmallow cream and graham cracker crumbs sprinkled on top. Perfect for dipping all the s’mores ingredients.
Chocolate Fondue FAQs
Is fondue chocolate good for dipping fruit?
Yes, fruit is amazing dipped in chocolate fondue! The sweet juices pair perfectly with the melted chocolate. Bananas, strawberries, pineapple, oranges, apples are all great choices.
Can you make fondue with chocolate chips?
It’s best to use chocolate bars, chopped into pieces instead of chocolate chips. The chocolate chips don’t melt as smoothly. But in a pinch, semi-sweet chocolate chips can work.
Is fondue chocolate keto friendly?
Definitely! A dark chocolate fondue made with heavy cream is low carb and keto diet approved. Be mindful of any added sugars in the chocolate. Enjoy keto friendly dippers like strawberries and banana.
How do you keep fondue chocolate from hardening?
Keep it over very low heat between 160°F to 180°F to keep it fluid for dipping without scorching. Stir frequently and add a splash of cream if it starts thickening up.
Can you add booze to fondue chocolate?
Absolutely, liqueurs are a tasty way to add flavor to chocolate fondue. Kirsch, Amaretto, Grand Marnier, rum, peppermint schnapps and Irish creams all pair nicely with chocolate.