Chocolate Fondue–Fondue Pot Optional
Due to an uncommon family tradition, whenever I think of fondue, I think of New Year’s Eve. For years, instead of going out, we have celebrated quietly–with a holiday film and three fondues in front of the fire. Cheese and meat for dinner, then chocolate fondue for dessert!
Fruit & Chocolate Fondue
But fondue is too much fun to limit to just one night—and chocolate fondue is perfect for Valentine’s Day! So why not melt a little chocolate and pull up some plump ripe strawberries! How many people have chocolate covered strawberries as their favorite Valentine’s Day dessert, after all!
There is even a romantic tradition associated with fondue. If your dipper falls off in the pot you are supposed to kiss the person next to you! 
Did you know that many fondues don’t even require a fondue pot? This year, with my pots at our “cabin up north” and us staying home (oops), I learned that a basic crock pot works just fine for chocolate and cheese fondues. And word on the street is that bamboo skewers can sub for fondue forks (we DID have fondue forks at home—go figure).
Healthy Fondue Dippers
This year, I decided to reprise my chocolate fondue as a (pre-)Valentine’s day treat–and to do it with a twist. In honor of healthier eating, (and Veggie Wednesdays/Thursdays), I would not serve any cake. My dippers would all be fruit and nuts.
Chocolate fondue dipping!
I really was worried we’d miss the carbs. And I’ll admit I looked wistfully at my husband at one point and said, “just one donut…” But when the pot was empty, everyone felt satisfied. And we liked every single fruit we tried, even the orange slices!
Fruit & Chocolate Fondue
Dessert goes healthy—who’d have thought!
- 12 ounces chocolate (milk, semi-sweet or dark)
- 1 cup heavy cream (or about 2/3 cup half & half--see note)
- (optional) 2 Tablespoons Liqueur (Irish cream, Kahlua, etc.)
- Fruit and nuts as dippers (or cut up cake if you don't mind the carbs)!
- Melt chocolate in a saucepan on medium low or in a double boiler, stirring constantly (chocolate burns very easily). Gradually add cream (or half & half) and stir until combined. Add liqueur if using.
- Transfer mixture to warm fondue pot or crock pot.
- To serve, spear a dipper like a fresh berry with a fondue fork, then dip in the melted chocolate.
- You can substitute half and half for the cream to save calories. In that case, start with no more than 2/3 cup and test the consistency, adding more if desired. Half and half is thinner and can produce a runny fondue if you add too much.
How on earth did I get to be 58 years old and never have chocolate fondue?! I remember fondly fondue being served at the holidays by my mother and her copper chafing dish. It was only cheese – never chocolate. I feel deprived… Sounds like a fun tradition, Inger!
Wow, living through the fondue era even. I think you need to remedy that soon David!
Look wonderful!! Many times I dont make a chocolate fondue Inger!!
Yes, sometimes we’re filled up on cheese fondue first. But perfect if you have a few more people!