How to Make and Serve Chocolate Fondue

Chocolate fondue is a fun interactive dessert that is easy to make and serve. Read on to find out the secrets to perfect chocolate fondue.

The Chocolate

Several different kinds of chocolate will work. You don't need anything fancy. I like melting down inexpensive Hershey's chocolate bars. Experiment with dark, white and milk chocolates. You can even mix them. You can also get creative and stir in different ingredients to flavor your chocolate fondue like peanut butter, coconut milk, raspberry puree, etc. Plan on a few ounces for each person.

The Tools

You will need a way to melt the chocolate and something to serve it in.

The best way to melt your chocolate is in a double boiler. If you don't have one you can place a glass bowl over a pot of simmering water. Make sure your bowl is bigger than the pot so it just sits on the top. Break your chocolate into pieces and add to the bowl and stir until all the chocolate is melted and smooth. Using a rubber spatula, pour the chocolate into a fondue pot to keep it warm. For chocolate fondue almost any type of pot will work. However some pots are better than others. The least expensive option is a ceramic or earthenware pot that sits on a stand with a candle underneath. Tea light candles are usually used and provide the right amount of heat to keep the chocolate warm and melted. Electric fondue pots are another option. Make sure they have a double boiler on them or else the heat will be too concentrated in one area and your chocolate may burn.

Most fondue pots come with fondue forks. They are specially made with two tines to hold the food so it doesn't drop into the pot. You can buy extra forks separately if you need more.

The Food

Choosing items to dip into the chocolate is fun. Make sure you have a nice variety of textures and flavors. Try and serve everything in bite-sized proportions. Marshmallows, brownie bites, strawberries, and other soft foods can be skewered onto a fondue fork to be dipped. Hard foods like pretzels and biscotti can be held with your fingers and dipped half way into the chocolate. You can also put little dishes on the table of things to roll your dipped food into like chopped nuts, coconut flakes, or even finely crushed cookies or graham crackers. These will stick to the melted chocolate and add a crunchy texture.

Chocolate fondue is a popular dessert and is easy to serve in your home once you know how.