Easy Chocolate Fondue Recipe Crockpot
This easy chocolate fondue recipe crockpot style melts chocolate and cream into a smooth, glossy dip that stays warm for a whole party. The slow cooker holds the temperature steady, so there is no scorching and no double boiler.
10
servings10
minutes1
hourChopped chocolate melts with cream, butter and vanilla in a small slow cooker. It stays smooth and dippable on the warm setting.
Ingredients
12 oz semisweet chocolate, finely chopped
8 oz milk chocolate, finely chopped
1 1/4 cups heavy cream
2 tbsp unsalted butter
1 tsp pure vanilla extract
1/4 tsp kosher salt
1 tbsp light corn syrup
strawberries, hulled
banana slices
pretzel rods
marshmallows
pound cake cubes
shortbread cookies
Directions
- Finely chop the chocolate so it melts evenly, or use chips.
- Add the heavy cream, butter, corn syrup and salt to a 1.5 to 3-quart slow cooker.
- Cover and heat on HIGH for 30 minutes, until the cream is hot and steaming.
- Add all of the chocolate to the hot cream and cover for 5 minutes without stirring.
- Whisk gently until the chocolate is completely melted and glossy.
- Stir in the vanilla extract.
- If any lumps remain, cover and cook 10 minutes more on HIGH, then whisk again.
- Turn the heat to WARM and keep the lid on until you are ready to serve.
- Stir the fondue once more, then arrange the dippers on a platter.
- Serve with fondue forks or skewers and stir every 20 minutes to keep it smooth.
Notes
- Do not let water or steam drip into the chocolate, which makes it seize. Thin the fondue with a splash of warm cream if it thickens. Chill any leftovers and reheat for ice cream topping. It keeps 1 week in the fridge.
Why a slow cooker is ideal for chocolate fondue
Chocolate is touchy. It scorches easily and turns grainy when overheated. A slow cooker heats gently and evenly, and the WARM setting holds the fondue at dipping temperature for hours without a flame or a double boiler to babysit.
It also makes serving easy. The pot goes straight to the table, and guests dip as they like. You do not have to worry about the fondue cooling and hardening after ten minutes, as it does in a bowl. Chocolate fondue also feels fancy for the effort it takes. Four ingredients, one pot and a platter of fruit is enough for a dessert party or a date night at home.
Ingredient notes for silky fondue
Chocolate: A mix of semisweet and milk chocolate gives balanced flavor. Use bars rather than chips if you can, since bars contain less stabilizer and melt more smoothly.
Heavy cream: It makes the fondue rich and smooth. Lower-fat milk makes it thin and prone to separating.
Butter: A little butter adds shine and softens the texture as it cools slightly.
Light corn syrup: A tablespoon keeps the fondue glossy and stops it from setting too firmly.
Vanilla and salt: They round out the chocolate and balance the sweetness. Add the vanilla at the end so the flavor stays bright. Dippers: Pick a mix of fresh fruit, salty snacks and baked treats. Cold dippers cool the chocolate slightly, so give the fondue a stir between rounds.
Tips for smooth, glossy fondue
Heat the cream first: Hot cream melts chopped chocolate gently, without stirring too hard. Let it sit for 5 minutes before whisking.
Keep water out: A single drop from a wet strawberry or a lid with condensation can make chocolate seize into a stiff paste. Pat all fruit dry and wipe the lid before setting it on.
Do not leave it on HIGH: The most common mistake is serving on HIGH. The chocolate scorches at the edges. Switch to WARM as soon as the fondue is smooth. Chop finely: Large chunks melt slowly and leave lumps. Fine pieces melt in minutes. If you use chips, they melt a bit slower, so give them an extra five minutes.
Swaps and variations
Use dark chocolate for a bittersweet fondue, or white chocolate with a bit of orange zest. Stir in a spoonful of peanut butter or espresso powder for a different flavor. For a dairy-free fondue, use coconut cream and dairy-free chocolate. A splash of orange liqueur works for an adults-only party.
Do not use candy melts or chocolate chips labeled for coating alone. They taste waxy and do not melt as smoothly. For a peppermint fondue, stir in a few drops of peppermint extract at the end and serve with candy cane pieces and shortbread.
What to serve with it
Strawberries, banana slices, pineapple chunks and apple wedges are classic. Pretzel rods, marshmallows, pound cake, brownie bites and shortbread give a salty and sweet contrast. Arrange them on a big platter with skewers. Keep napkins and small plates nearby, because dipping is messy, and have a spoon ready to drizzle extra fondue over cake slices.
Storing, freezing and reheating
Cool the leftover fondue and refrigerate it in a jar for up to 1 week. It will firm up like a ganache.
Reheat in the microwave in 20-second bursts, stirring, or warm it in the slow cooker on LOW with a splash of cream. Spoon it over ice cream, or use it as a sauce. The cooled fondue is also a quick sauce for pancakes or a spread for toast, so it never goes to waste.
Easy Chocolate Fondue Recipe Crockpot at a glance
- Prep time: 10 minutes
- Cooking time: 1 hour
- Servings: 10 servings
- Ingredients: 13, led by semisweet chocolate, milk chocolate, heavy cream, unsalted butter
Tips for Easy Chocolate Fondue Recipe Crockpot
Do not let water or steam drip into the chocolate, which makes it seize. Thin the fondue with a splash of warm cream if it thickens. Chill any leftovers and reheat for ice cream topping. It keeps 1 week in the fridge.
Easy Chocolate Fondue Recipe Crockpot FAQ
How long does Easy Chocolate Fondue Recipe Crockpot take?
Easy Chocolate Fondue Recipe Crockpot takes 1 hour of cooking after 10 minutes of prep.
How many people does Easy Chocolate Fondue Recipe Crockpot serve?
This recipe makes 10 servings.
What do I need to make Easy Chocolate Fondue Recipe Crockpot?
13 ingredients, led by semisweet chocolate, milk chocolate, heavy cream, unsalted butter. Amounts are in the recipe card above.
