Chocolate Fondue
A Velvety Chocolate Dessert Dip Great To Interact With Dinner Guests
February is Chocolate month and with Valentine's day coming up, this is the perfect opportunity learn Fondue making and etiquette.
Chocolate Fondue can be a social event with your friends, a kids birthday party, or a holiday bash . A communal pot of warm chocolate is the center piece as you go fishing with various treats you drop in the fondue pot. Your guests might be unfamiliar with this type of meal, but once they get acquainted, everyone is laughing and coming up with their favorite combinations and dipping techniques. This can be a fun occasion that will leave pleasant, warm memories with all who participate.
First of all you will need a fondue pot. Fondue pots can be electric or have a spot for a heating element or tea light to be placed underneath, to keep the Fondue warm. If you do not have a fondue pot you cold use a crockpot or put a ceramic or heavy duty oven proof bowl on a hot plate or griddle. Make sure to keep the temperature low to keep the chocolate warm and not to scorch it. Fondue sets also include long forks for dipping the accompaniments into the chocolate, you can substitute them with regular forks or bamboo skewers.
Fondue doesn’t just have to be a single course like dessert. You can set it up on a table through out your gathering as well. The bounty of the dipping ingredients is what also makes this a festive interesting occasion. Traditional accoutrements for Chocolate Fondue include; brownies, bananas, pound cake, pretzels, rice crispy treats strawberries, and cookies. Young and old might also like to have chopped nuts and sprinkles on the side for additional color and texture as well. A chocolate dessert fondue is a timeless classic and guaranteed crowd pleaser, who doesn’t like chocolate?
Chocolate Fondue Recipe (Makes 6-8 servings)
- 6 squares unsweetened chocolate
- 1 c cream or ½ & 1/2
- 1 1/2 c sugar
- 1/2 c butter
- 1 pinch salt
- 2 t pure vanilla extract
Instructions
- Heat all ingredients EXCEPT vanilla extract in fondue pot on high, stirring occasionally, until chocolate is melted.
- Reduce heat to medium. Continue cooking, stirring constantly, for about 5 minutes or until thickened. Add vanilla extract and mix well.
Alternatively, you could add espresso, raspberry or mint jelly or any extracts for flavoring. Keep the cut fruit in the refrigerator, covered, until you are ready to serve the fondue.
Once ready to serve Chocolate Fondue, pour the prepared mix into the fondue pot keeping it warm.
If you leave it over excessive heat for a long duration it can scorch, to avoid stir constantly.
