Best Ever Chocolate Fondue Recipe
“Silky, creamy, and downright delicious! Combining three chocolates creates a chocolate fondue recipe that’s been a family favorite for years!”
Watch me make this chocolate fondue from start to finish!
Remember when I told you guys that these shoestring fries were my new favorite Netflix binge-watching snack? Well, that has changed; now it’s chocolate fondue!
I know, kinda weird, right? But once you cozy up on the couch with a tray of warm chocolate and a personal buffet of things to dip, you’ll totally get it!
Chocolate fondue is just plain fun. Period! And as I’m sitting here writing this blog post and enjoying my fondue party for one, it left me thinking, who invented chocolate fondue??
The history of chocolate fondue
Chocolate fondue was invented in the 1960s by a restaurant owner named Konrad Egli. He was already serving Swiss cheese fondue and wanted to add a dessert fondue to the menu. His recipe consisted of chocolate, heavy cream, and cherry brandy! Yum.
If you like the flavor of chocolate ganache, chances are you’ll love chocolate fondue!
When to serve Chocolate Fondue (hint: any occasion)
Chocolate fondue isn’t just for valentines day or romantic desserts with ya boo! ANY occasion is perfect for chocolate fondue, and it adds such a wow factor.
It’s hard to walk past a bowl or fountain of warm chocolate and an array of dippers and not get excited. Here are a few events where I like to serve chocolate fondue:
- New Year’s Eve (I do a HUGE boozy chocolate fountain buffet. So fun!)
- Valentine’s day family dessert night
- Romantic dessert with my honey-bunch
- Family game night (such a fun and easy dessert to throw together after dinner)
- Girls-Night In (chocolate and champagne jello shots are always appreciated)
- Solo self-love date (aka binge-watching movies in my pj’s while looking ugly and perfectly content)
- Fondue party: (Nothing better than a just-because party with cheese and chocolate fondue on the menu. Have each guest sign up to bring a dipper, and you’ll have a complete buffet ready for dipping fun!)
Wanna know the secret to the BEST chocolate fondue?
Before we get into making this incredible fondue, let me tell you my favorite chocolate fondue secret. Ok, so maybe it’s not a secret, so just pretend it’s your first time hearing it.
Psssst…use candy bars to make fondue chocolate!
Yep, I swear by it! Chocolate candy bars make for the most delicious fondue that melts like a smooth, creamy, shiny dream. Use your favorite chocolate bar here, like Godiva, Ghirardelli, Hershey, Guittard, or some high-quality bougie chocolate.
Whatever floats your boat. Try to go for chocolate bars with ingredients you can pronounce, though.
Yes, this can be a bit pricey if you’re making a HUGE batch or filling up a chocolate fountain.
Also, the addition of heavy whipping cream AND whole milk makes it super creamy, with the perfect “coatability”
I ALWAYS use Dove chocolates for my chocolate fondue, whether making a big batch or just enough for my family of 4. Call me crazy, but I think it’s one of the best chocolates ever made, and I’ve had my share of luxury chocolates. Give me my Dove!
If chocolate baking chips are preferred, just use a good brand that’s fresh (not ashy, lol) and one that you wouldn’t mind eating plain! Remember, if you change the chocolates or brands from the ones I used, you may need to adjust the heavy cream and milk slightly. Easy peasy!
Keep reading to see how I like to combine my chocolates!
What kind of chocolate do you use for chocolate fondue?
Most chocolate fondue recipes opt for semi-sweet chocolate or bittersweet chocolate. However, I LOVE the combination of milk chocolate, dark chocolate, and white chocolate.
It creates a perfect chocolate fondue that’s shiny, dark, creamy, and silky and has an old-fashioned cocoa flavor, not too sweet or bitter. Just addictive melted chocolate that you can’t get enough of!
How do you keep fondue warm?
Chocolate fondue comes together in minutes, so you want to ensure you are ready (or close to being ready) to serve it before making it. No worries if you do not have a fondue pot or chocolate fountain!
If you are using a chocolate fountain, follow the manufacturer’s directions.
Crockpots are great for keeping fondue warm throughout the entire party. If using a crockpot, make the recipe as stated, pour it into your slow cooker, and place it on the keep-warm setting.
For family fondue night, you can keep the pot of chocolate on a warm setting on the stove and bring it to the table when ready to serve. This recipe will stay silky and pourable for about 20 minutes off the heat before it thickens, which is perfect for a family fondue dessert night.
Another way is to use a small portable burner or a food-warming candle.
I got these adorable little individual fondue dishes from Amazon. They have a little tea light holder on the bottom that keeps the chocolate and cheese fondue nice and hot! They are perfect for our family fondue nights because I don’t have to hear, “ewww he double-dipped!”
What to dip in chocolate fondue
When thinking of ideas to dip in chocolate fondue, just think of all the chocolate-covered foods out there! Here are a few dipper ideas to create the ultimate chocolate fondue buffet!
- strawberries
- marshmallows
- pound cake
- potato chips
- cookies
- bacon
- blackberries
- apple slices
- brownies
- pretzels
- wafers
- graham crackers
- bananas
- pineapple
- Rice Krispies treats
- angel food cake
- cherries
- raspberries
- biscotti
- oranges
- dried fruits
- Oreos
- mini popcorn balls
- macaroons
Ok, now let’s make our easy chocolate fondue recipe!!
Ingredients:
- heavy whipping cream
- whole milk
- Dove dark chocolate
- Dove milk chocolate
- Ghirardelli white chocolate
- salt
How to make the chocolate fondue recipe
- Before starting, be sure that you have all of your dippers prepared and you are ready to serve your chocolate fondue)
- In a medium-sized pot or large saucepan over medium-low heat, heat heavy whipping cream and whole milk until steaming. Do not boil. (You can also use a double boiler if desired)
- Add in chocolate and constantly stir until the chocolate has melted. Adjust the heat if needed to prevent scorching the chocolate.
- Stir until the mixture is completely smooth and combined.
- Stir in a generous pinch of salt.
- Leave the sauce on a low/warm setting until ready to use, or pour it into a fondue warmer.
- Serve warm with your favorite fondue dippers.
- Refrigerate leftovers in an air-tight container and reheat it on the stove when ready to use again.
How to thin chocolate fondue
If your chocolate fondue seems too thick, stir in a little milk. It will thicken as it cools, so a little more heat may be all you need to get it silky smooth again.
Add-in Ideas
If you want to add an extra flavor, try these fun additions!
- creamy peanut butter or Nutella
- Kahlua, bailey Irish cream, brandy, whiskey
- Coffee
- cinnamon
- Extracts (mint, peppermint, almond, vanilla, orange)
FAQs
Can I use chocolate chips? Sure can! You may need to adjust the liquid in the recipe a bit.
Can I use this in a chocolate fountain? Yes, however, you may need to thin it out more and add a bit of vegetable oil, as it will need to be thin to flow flawlessly through certain fountains.
How do I make peppermint chocolate fondue? Add peppermint extract. Start with 1/4 teaspoon and increase it slowly until you have your preferred coolness.
What else can I use chocolate fondue for? It goes great over ice cream, funnel cakes, or cheesecake topping,
Now that you have a great recipe for chocolate fondue and some amazing dipper ideas, give it a try! Grab some fondue forks or toothpicks, and prepare for some dipping fun!
Get the Recipe: Best Ever Chocolate Fondue Recipe
Ingredients
- ½ cup heavy whipping cream
- ¼ cup whole milk
- 5 oz Dove Milk Chocolate (about 18 bars)
- 5 oz Dove Dark Chocolate (about 18 bars)
- 4 oz Ghirardelli white chocolate (1 bar)
- salt, generous pinch
Instructions
- Before starting your chocolate fondue, be sure that you have all of your dippers prepared and that you are ready to serve your chocolate fondue
- In a medium-sized pot or large saucepan over medium-low heat, heavy whipping cream and whole milk until steaming. Do not boil. (You can also use a double boiler if desired)½ cup heavy whipping cream, ¼ cup whole milk
- Add in chocolate and constantly stir until the chocolate has melted. Adjust the heat if needed to prevent scorching the chocolate.5 oz Dove Milk Chocolate (about 18 bars), 5 oz Dove Dark Chocolate (about 18 bars), 4 oz Ghirardelli white chocolate (1 bar)
- Stir until the mixture is completely smooth and combined.
- Stir in a generous pinch of salt.salt, generous pinch
- Leave the chocolate sauce on a low/warm setting until ready to use, or pour it into a fondue warmer.
- Serve chocolate fondue warm with your favorite fondue dippers.
- Refrigerate leftover chocolate fondue in an air-tight container and reheat it on the stove when ready to use again.
Video
How to make chocolate-covered strawberries
How to make chocolate-covered pretzels
