Fondue is one of those foods that can be many different things all called by one familiar name. Fondue can be cheese based and then laced with mushrooms, cider, wines and garlic and served as a meal or it can be a dessert made with things like butterscotch, mint, or velvety chocolate.
Let’s look into a pot of chocolate fondue and see how it can be jazzed up and made gourmet.
If chocolate is called for substitute the best chocolate available; when the recipe calls for a liqueur select one that is rare and perhaps fruity; when choosing the cake be bold and courageous; do not be afraid to break with fondue tradition.
Chocolate Fondue
Preparation Time: 15 minutes
Servings: Around 16
Ingredients:
8 oz. dark chocolate bar
8 oz. cherry flavored chocolate bar
8 oz. Belgium chocolate or Milk Chocolate
½ cup Cherry Liqueur (Recommended: Travis Hasse’s Cherry Pie Liqueur or the familiar Kirschwasser)
1 cup heavy whipping cream
1 single layer Red Velvet cake, no icing
1 small frozen, plain cheesecake – do not thaw
1- 8 inch Devils-food cake, no icing
16 long stemmed maraschino cherries
Note: Don’t attempt to melt the chocolate in the fondue pot. This would take too long since it is only heated with a small flame.
Directions:
Pour the cream and liqueur into a 2-qt. sauce pan and bring over medium heat.
HINT: If using a gas range do not turn heat on until AFTER the liqueur is poured to keep it from flaming up.
Cut the cakes into 1-1/2 inch to 2 inch cubes, arrange on a pretty serving tray or platter. Cover with cling-warp until needed.
Cut the chocolate into small pieces, add to a medium sized mixing bowl and set side.
Heat the cream/liqueur until bubbles form around the edges of the sauce pan, remove from heat.
Pour the hot cream mixture over the chocolate and stir or whisk until the sauce is thick and smooth.
Place the fondue pot on the serving table. Light the flame under the pot to warm before adding sauce; pour the chocolate sauce into the warmed fondue pot.
Arrange the 2-3 wooden or metal skewers at each place setting.
Put the platter of cake and cherries on the table.
Fondue is served!
Additional suggestions for dipping cakes/items:
- Lemon Cardamom cake
- Chocolate Angel food
- Chiffon Cake
- Soft sugar cookies
- Chocolate Jet Puffed Marshmallows
The story has been passed down for years that if a woman drops her cake into the fondue pot, she then must kiss all the men gathered around the table.