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The Ultimate Chocolate Fondue Recipe – Perfect for Date Night, Parties & Celebrations

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Silky, smooth chocolate fondue made with just five ingredients in ten minutes! This restaurant-quality dessert is perfect for date nights, parties, and special celebrations. Serve with fresh fruit, cookies, marshmallows, and more for an interactive dessert experience everyone will love.

Ingredients

Scale

For the Chocolate Fondue:

  • 12 oz high-quality dark or milk chocolate, finely chopped (about 2 cups chopped)
  • 1 cup heavy cream
  • 1 teaspoon pure vanilla extract
  • 2-3 tablespoons liqueur of choice (Grand Marnier, Chambord, Frangelico, or Kahlúa) – optional
  • Pinch of fine sea salt
  • 1 tablespoon unsalted butter (optional, for extra shine)

For Dipping:

  • Fresh strawberries, hulled
  • Banana slices
  • Pineapple chunks
  • Apple slices (tossed in lemon juice to prevent browning)
  • Pound cake cubes
  • Brownie squares
  • Marshmallows
  • Pretzels
  • Biscotti
  • Shortbread cookies
  • Graham crackers
  • Rice Krispies treats
  • Dried apricots
  • Potato chips (for sweet-salty contrast)

Instructions

  • Prep your chocolate: Finely chop the chocolate into small, uniform pieces (about the size of chocolate chips). This ensures even, smooth melting without lumps. Place chopped chocolate in a medium bowl and set aside.
  • Heat the cream: Pour heavy cream into a medium saucepan over medium-low heat. Warm the cream until it just begins to simmer around the edges—you’ll see tiny bubbles forming, but don’t let it come to a full boil. This should take about 3-4 minutes. Watch carefully to prevent scorching.
  • Combine chocolate and cream: Remove the saucepan from heat and add all the chopped chocolate to the hot cream. Let it sit undisturbed for 1 minute to allow the chocolate to soften from the residual heat.
  • Whisk until smooth: After 1 minute, begin whisking gently from the center outward in circular motions. Continue whisking until the chocolate is completely melted and the mixture is silky smooth with no streaks or lumps remaining, about 2 minutes.
  • Add flavorings: Stir in vanilla extract, your chosen liqueur (if using), and a pinch of salt. Whisk until fully incorporated. If desired, add the tablespoon of butter now and stir until melted and glossy.
  • Transfer to fondue pot: Pour the chocolate fondue into your fondue pot, slow cooker set on warm, or a heat-safe serving bowl. If using a fondue pot with a burner, light the flame to the lowest setting to keep chocolate warm and fluid.
  • Arrange dippers: While chocolate is melting, prepare your dipping items. Arrange fruits, cakes, cookies, and other dippers attractively on a large serving platter or board around your fondue pot.
  • Serve immediately: Provide fondue forks or skewers for guests. Demonstrate dipping if needed—spear the item, dip into chocolate with a gentle swirling motion, let excess drip off, then enjoy! If chocolate becomes too thick, whisk in a tablespoon of warm cream to thin it back to dipping consistency.

Notes

  • Chocolate quality matters: Don’t use chocolate chips—they contain stabilizers that prevent smooth melting. Use real chocolate bars or baking chocolate for best results.
  • Keep it warm: Chocolate fondue thickens as it cools. Keep it over a gentle heat source (fondue burner, tea light, or slow cooker on warm) throughout serving.
  • Thin if needed: If fondue becomes too thick, whisk in heavy cream one tablespoon at a time until you reach desired consistency.
  • Non-alcoholic version: Replace liqueur with 2 tablespoons strong brewed coffee or espresso for depth without alcohol.
  • Make it festive: Add a few drops of peppermint extract for holidays, or orange extract for a citrus twist.
  • Portion control: Each serving is approximately ¼ cup of fondue plus dippers.

Nutrition

Find it online: https://focialy.com/chocolate-fondue-recipe/