This document provides a recipe for chocolate fondue that can be made without a special fondue pot. It lists the ingredients needed, which include dark chocolate, light cream, vanilla extract, and fruit for dipping. The instructions explain how to heat the cream and chocolate together until smooth, then transfer to a warmed pot or serving dish to dip fruit and other items like cake or marshmallows. Variations include adding liqueurs, spices, or citrus zest to the chocolate.

1. Chocolate Fondue By: Lisa Hodge

2. You may think you need to own a special fondue pot, but while it’s fun to have one, it’s not absolutely necessary. A fondue pot is really just a warming dish on a stand, with a candle underneath the pot to keep what’s in it warm.

3. Without a candle, a regular bowl should stay warm for about 20 minutes. The “special” equipment usually also includes long forks for dipping the fruit into the chocolate, but you can substitute regular forks, bamboo skewers or even long toothpicks.

4. For this chocolate fondue recipe you will need: Fondue Pot Sauce Pan Measuring Cup Teaspoon Whisk

5. Ingredients 16 ounces dark, sweet or semi-sweet chocolate (chips or roughly chopped if from a block) 1 1/2 cups light cream 1 tsp. Vanilla extract

6. Classic Favorites Whole strawberries Apple slices Kiwi Banana slices Pineapple chunks Pear slices Orange sections Seedless grapes Angel food cake Brownies Marshmallows

7. Warm the cream over moderate heat until tiny bubbles show and begins to lightly and slowly boil. Add the chocolate, vanilla, and whisk until smooth. Immediately transfer to a fondue pot heated at low or with a low flame, or serve straight from the pot.

8. Arrange the dippables on a platter or plates around the chocolate pot. Use a fondue fork, bamboo skewer, or salad fork to dip the fruit pieces and other dippables into the hot melted cream chocolate mixture. Eat immediately. If the fondue begins to feel a little stiff, add a tablespoon of heavy cream and stir. It will help it go a little longer. Eventually, it will cook down though and you may need to start a new pot.

9. Variations Add a tablespoon or two of Bailey's Irish Cream to the chocolate. Add a 1/2 teaspoon of cinnamon A good pinch of espresso powder Orange zest or grapefruit zest is nice way to create a slightly fruity chocolate. A few tablespoons of flavoring syrups (the kind used for coffee) can add a nice dimension of flavor as well. White chocolate is always a nice change

10. A chocolate fondue recipe will insure that you have a delectable dessert to serve at your next gathering that's easy, yet irresistible and delicious. Besides, there's a chocolate fondue recipe for everyone, whether you want to combine it with fresh fruit or berries, or over cake or cookie selections.