Easy Chocolate Fondue

Last Saturday, I went to a fondue party with ladies from my Mothers of Preschoolers group. Since I have a fondue pot, I was tasked with bringing some chocolate fondue. Well, I had never made chocolate fondue before so I had to figure out how to do it. Turns out, it really isn't that difficult. On the stovetop, a large batch takes less than 5 minutes.

I had quite a bit of leftover chocolate even though we had a pretty large turnout at the party. It got me to thinking about making fondue in smaller portions. If you have a smaller portion and eat it as a simple dessert (rather than a long, drawn out fondue event), you don't need the fondue pot.

So, I did a little experimenting with chocolate chips and cream in the microwave. It's a bit more hands-on since you have to stir every 30 seconds or so and keep checking it to make sure it doesn't boil over or burn. But, you don't have to clean out a pan and a fondue pot.

You can also add different flavorings -- extract, citrus zest, spices, or even wine. You could also make a large batch on the stovetop, divide into ramekins for serving, and then flavor each ramekin differently.

I love fondue with fresh berries -- especially blackberries -- but you can also dip pound cake, other fruits, pretzels, or whatever else strikes your fancy.

Easy Chocolate Fondue on the Stovetop

10 oz. bittersweet chocolate chips (I used Ghirardelli Bittersweet 60% Cacao)
1 cup heavy cream
Optional flavorings: vanilla extract, lemon zest, ground ginger, chili powder, or cabernet sauvignon

In a saucepan, heat the heavy cream to a boil. Remove from heat and stir in the chocolate chips until they are melted and the mixture is well blended together. Add optional flavorings to taste -- start small and then add more as needed. (I used one teaspoon of vanilla extract.) Transfer to a fondue pot and set to warm.


Easy Chocolate Fondue in the Microwave

5 - 7 Tablespoons chocolate chips
1/4 cup heavy cream
Optional flavorings: vanilla extract, lemon zest, ground ginger, chili powder, cabernet sauvignon, etc.

Put the chocolate chips and the cream in a ramekin. Put in the micowave for 30 seconds at 50% power. Remove and stir. Return to microwave in 30 second increments, stirring after each heating, until the chips are fully melted and the mixture is combined. Add optional flavoring to taste -- start with very small amounts and add more as needed.

Note: I made both white chocolate and bittersweet fondue this way. I discovered that it took more white chocolate chips to get a thick enough fondue to dip. Just add more chocolate chips until you get the thickness you prefer. The white chocolate was really good with blackberries. Yum!

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For other fancy food ideas, be sure to stop by Life as MOM on Thursday for Ultimate Recipe Swap.