Chocolate Fondue Recipe

5 from 4 votes
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Blissfully smooth and totally decadent, this homemade Chocolate Fondue Recipe is a swoon-worthy treat! Dunk marshmallows, fruit, cookies, and more into this rich, warm, chocolate sauce.

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Dipping a strawberry in chocolate fondue.

This Easy Chocolate Fondue Recipe Is the Ultimate Chocolate Dessert!

Looking for pure indulgence? Same, friends. Same. And this easy homemade chocolate fondue is it! Velvety dark chocolate is melted into the perfect creamy dip for strawberries, pretzels, or whatever your heart desires. This sumptuous dessert will leave you weak in the knees!

If you’ve never made fondue before, no worries! Making chocolate fondue is so easy. You can transform ordinary ingredients into a magical dessert with a few simple steps! And once it’s ready, the fun really starts – choosing an array of dippers, from juicy fruits to fluffy marshmallows.

Why You’ll Love Chocolate Fondue

  • Customizable: This basic recipe will guide you to chocolatey success, but you can also customize the recipe to your needs. From choosing the type of chocolate, be it dark, milk, or white, to selecting a variety of dippers, such as fruits, cookies, or even pretzels, feel free to use the ingredients that you love.
  • Creative: Homemade chocolate fondue is like a blank canvas. Mix and match your favorite dippers and toppings, from sprinkles to crushed nuts to whipped cream.
  • Perfect for Parties: Fondue is a classic dish that brings people together. Whether you’re planning a romantic date night or a fun-filled get-together, this recipe is sure to bring smiles.
  • Simple and Quick: Making chocolate fondue is surprisingly easy and time-efficient. It requires minimal ingredients and equipment – typically just a saucepan and a spoon! Melting the chocolate only takes a minute, and once everything is ready, you can dive into the sweet treat immediately. 
  • Versatile: Chocolate fondue is incredibly versatile. It can be enjoyed as a dessert, a snack, or even a decadent breakfast treat! 
A dessert board with fruit, waffles, pretzels, and with a bowl of fondue in the center.

What Is Chocolate Fondue Made With?

Let’s take a look at the ingredients you will need for this easy recipe. Here’s the scoop:

  • Chocolate: Good-quality dark chocolate and milk chocolate, chopped.
  • Dairy: Heavy cream and whole milk.
  • Butter: Unsalted butter, at room temperature.
  • Vanilla: Pure vanilla extract.
  • Salt
  • Dippers: Various treats for dipping, such as cookies and fruit.
Chocolate fondue ingredients measured and arranged on a table.

What Kind of Chocolate Is Best for Fondue?

When it comes to choosing the best chocolate for fondue, this is really about your personal preference. I usually go with a blend of both dark chocolate and milk chocolate, but you can choose whichever you like:

  • Dark Chocolate: Dark chocolate with a cocoa content of around 60% to 70% is great for fondue. It has a lush, yet bittersweet flavor profile that balances well with the sweetness of the dippers. Dark chocolate also tends to have a lower sugar content, making it a comparatively healthier option.
  • Milk Chocolate: Milk chocolate’s creamy smoothness and sweetness makes it a good choice for those who like chocolate, but not necessarily the strong, bittersweet taste of dark chocolate. This is a good option for anyone with a sweet tooth!
  • White Chocolate: While technically not a “chocolate” since it doesn’t contain cocoa solids, white chocolate makes a very sweet and decadent fondue.
A wooden charcuterie board with sweet and savory dippers and chocolate sauce.

How to Make Chocolate Fondue

Let’s skip to the good part: making the chocolate fondue. It’s a breeze! Just melt your favorite chocolate, gather some tasty dippers, and let the dipping fun begin.

  • Prep the Chocolate and Cream. First, chop up the chocolate and put it in a heatproof bowl. Set that aside, while you heat the cream to a simmer (I do this in a saucepan on the stove). 
  • Combine the Cream and Chocolate to Soften. Pour the hot cream over the chopped chocolate, and let it sit for about a minute to soften the chocolate. 
  • Add Butter. Stir the softened chocolate and cream, adding pieces of unsalted butter as it melts. The mixture will become smooth and shiny. 
  • Add Vanilla and Salt. Stir in the vanilla extract and a pinch of salt, to enhance the flavor.
  • Enjoy! Pour the fondue into a fondue pot or a serving bowl, and arrange your chosen dippers on platters or plates. If you use a fondue pot, light the burner and adjust the heat to keep it warm. Serve immediately.
A bowl of melted chocolate sauce.

Helpful Tips

Making chocolate fondue is all about having fun and experimenting. These helpful tips will help you enjoy the process, and savor every delicious moment of your homemade chocolate fondue experience!

  • Use High-Quality Chocolate: Opt for high-quality chocolate when making fondue. The better the quality, the smoother and more flavorful your fondue will be. 
  • Off-Heat Method: While you can melt the chocolate on the stove, I really recommend the off-heat method, letting the heated cream melt the chocolate in a bowl off the stove. Too much heat can cause the chocolate to scorch or seize. Melting the chocolate gently is best.
  • Preparing Dippers: Before dipping, ensure that the foods you plan to dip are clean and dry to prevent moisture from affecting the chocolate’s texture. Cut fruit into bite-sized pieces, and if using cookies or cake, cut them into cubes for easy dipping.
  • Thickened Chocolate: If the chocolate begins to thicken or harden while serving, you can reheat it gently over a low heat, or using the fondue pot. If it is still too thick, add a small amount of warm cream and stir until it reaches the desired consistency.
Dipping a strawberry in chocolate fondue.

What to Dip in Chocolate Fondue

Chocolate fondue is a fun, interactive dessert, and experimenting with delicious dippers is a huge part of the experience. So grab a fork, gather your friends, and try a few of these treats:


And any other goodies you can think of! Add some whipped cream, sprinkles, chopped nuts, flaked coconut, and graham cracker crumbs for sprinkling, if you like.

A dessert board with fruit, waffles, pretzels, and a bowl of fondue in the center.

How to Store and Reheat Leftover Fondue

  • If you have leftover fondue, allow it to cool completely at room temperature before storing it. Then, scoop the cooled fondue into an airtight container and store it in the refrigerator for 3 to 4 days. 
  • To reheat refrigerated fondue, place it in the top half of a double boiler (or in a heatproof metal bowl placed over a saucepan of simmering water). Let the fondue heat gently, until it’s warm and pourable.
  • I don’t recommend freezing fondue.
5 from 4 votes

Chocolate Fondue Recipe

Blissfully smooth and totally decadent, this homemade Chocolate Fondue Recipe is a swoon-worthy treat! Dunk marshmallows, fruit, cookies, and more into this rich, warm, chocolate sauce.
Prep Time: 15 minutes
Cook Time: 5 minutes
Total Time: 20 minutes
Servings: 8

Ingredients 

  • 8 ounces dark chocolate,, chopped
  • 8 ounces milk chocolate,, chopped
  • 1 cup heavy cream
  • cup milk
  • 4 tablespoon unsalted butter,, at room temperature, cut into pats
  • 1 teaspoon pure vanilla extract
  • pinch of salt

Assorted Dippers For Serving

  • strawberries, grapes, apricot, tangerines, cookies, chocolate cookies, butter waffles, croissants, pretzels, crackers, pound cake, etc.
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Instructions 

  • Place the chopped chocolate in a heatproof bowl and set it aside
  • Heat the heavy cream and milk over medium heat in a small saucepan until it begins to simmer. Remove it from the heat.
  • Pour the hot cream over the chopped chocolate and let it sit for about a minute to soften the chocolate.
  • Stir or whisk the mixture gently and add unsalted butter, piece by piece, until the chocolate is completely melted and the mixture is smooth and shiny.
  • Whisk in the vanilla extract to enhance the flavor.
  • Add pinch of salt and stir the mixture.
  • Transfer the chocolate fondue to a fondue pot or a serving bowl.
  • Set up your dippers on a platter or individual plates, ready to be dipped.
  • Light the fondue burner if using a fondue pot, and adjust the heat to keep the chocolate warm and melted.
  • Dip the various dippers into the chocolate fondue and enjoy!

Notes

  • Storing: If you have leftover fondue, allow it to cool completely at room temperature before storing. Do not refrigerate it while still warm – condensation can form and affect the fondue’s texture. From there, scoop the cooled fondue into an airtight container and store in the refrigerator for up to 3-4 days.
  • Reheating: To reheat refrigerated fondue, place it in the top half of a double boiler (or in a heatproof metal bowl placed over a saucepan of simmering water). Let the fondue heat gently, until it’s warm and pourable. Watch the heat, because chocolate fondue can burn or turn grainy if it is heated too quickly or too high.
  • Use top-quality chocolate for smooth and tasty fondue.
  • Melt the chocolate off the stove using hot cream. It prevents overheating and maintains texture.
  • Ensure your dipping items are clean, dry, and cut into bite-sized pieces for easy dipping.
  • If the chocolate hardens, gently reheat it or add warm cream to get the right consistency.

Nutrition

Calories: 472kcal | Carbohydrates: 32g | Protein: 5g | Fat: 39g | Saturated Fat: 23g | Polyunsaturated Fat: 1g | Monounsaturated Fat: 11g | Trans Fat: 0.2g | Cholesterol: 51mg | Sodium: 23mg | Potassium: 331mg | Fiber: 5g | Sugar: 23g | Vitamin A: 640IU | Vitamin C: 0.2mg | Calcium: 61mg | Iron: 4mg

Nutritional info is an estimate and provided as courtesy. Values may vary according to the ingredients and tools used. Please use your preferred nutritional calculator for more detailed info.

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5 Comments

  1. Erin | Dinners, Dishes and Dessert says:

    Looks impossible to resist! You had me on this!

  2. Beth says:

    5 stars
    I know this is used mainly for dipping – and I absolutely am going to do that – BUT… I’m looking at this and thinking that it might be awesome over some ice cream, too.

  3. Allyson Zea says:

    5 stars
    I made this for my anniversary and it was so delicious! Thank you!

  4. Catalina says:

    5 stars
    Mmmmm…… This is my type of dessert! I love everything chocolate!

  5. Sandra says:

    5 stars
    My kids really enjoyed this! Such a fun treat for all chocolate lovers!