Chocolate Fondue

Chocolate fondue is a delightful dessert that's perfect for entertaining or enjoying as a special treat. Here's a classic recipe to make it:

Ingredients:

• 8 ounces (about 225g) good quality dark or semi-sweet chocolate, chopped
• 1/2 cup (120ml) heavy cream
• 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
• Pinch of salt
• Assorted dipping ingredients, such as:
  • Fresh fruit (strawberries, bananas, pineapple, etc.)
  • Pretzels
  • Marshmallows
  • Pound cake or angel food cake, cut into cubes
  • Cookies
  • Nuts
  • Dried fruit

Instructions:

1. Prepare the Chocolate:

   • Place the chopped chocolate in a heatproof bowl.

2. Heat the Cream:

   • In a small saucepan, heat the heavy cream over medium-low heat until it just begins to simmer. Do not let it boil.

3. Combine:

   • Pour the hot cream over the chopped chocolate. Let it sit for a minute to soften the chocolate.

4. Stir:

   • Stir the chocolate and cream together until smooth and well combined. If needed, you can gently heat the mixture over a double boiler or in the microwave in short bursts to fully melt the chocolate.

5. Add Flavorings:

   • Stir in the vanilla extract and a pinch of salt to enhance the flavor of the chocolate fondue.

6. Serve:

   • Transfer the chocolate fondue to a fondue pot or serving bowl. Place it over a fondue burner or keep it warm using a low heat setting.

7. Arrange Dipping Ingredients:

   • Arrange your assorted dipping ingredients on a platter or serving tray.

8. Dip and Enjoy:

   • Use fondue forks or skewers to dip your chosen ingredients into the warm chocolate fondue. Swirl them around to coat them evenly with chocolate.

9. Serve Warm:

   • Enjoy the chocolate fondue immediately while it's warm and gooey.

Tips:

• For variations, you can use milk chocolate or white chocolate instead of dark chocolate.
• Experiment with different flavorings such as peppermint extract, almond extract, or orange zest to customize the chocolate fondue to your liking.
• Keep the fondue warm by periodically stirring it or adjusting the heat setting on the fondue burner.
• If the chocolate fondue starts to thicken as it cools, you can stir in a little extra cream or milk to thin it out.

With this recipe, you can create a delicious and fun chocolate fondue experience that's perfect for sharing with friends and family. Enjoy dipping!