Dark Chocolate Fondue Recipe

This decadent dark chocolate fondue is so sinful, you’ll never guess it’s made with natural, whole-food ingredients! It’s totally delish!

Looking for an indulgent, but not “totally-unhealthy-for-you” dessert for a special occasion? You just found it! Enjoy all the benefits of dark chocolate and natural honey with this delicious dessert!

A single blueberry on a toothpick is being dipped into a white cup filled with Dark Chocolate Fondue.

What Is Fondue?

Most people think of cheese fondue when the term is mentioned. But fondue can be many things. Fondue is all about dipping food in sauce with other people! You basically eat around a pot of melted goodness. It’s a group dish and perfect for special occasions, especially when the sauce involved is a decadent chocolate sauce.

How Do You Eat Fondue?

You take small pieces of food that pair well with your sauce and dip! It can be a cheese sauce, hot, flavored oil, or chocolate. There are tons of different fondue sauce recipes out there. Entire cookbooks have been written on fondue.

What Dippers Do You Use?

Small pieces of food need something to be picked up in order to dip it. After all, if you’re sharing a pot of food, you don’t want everybody’s fingers dipping into the sauce you want to eat. So this is where dippers come in.

You can use something as simple as toothpicks for a relaxed occasion or buy special fondue forks made specifically for fondue. Some are the type you hand on to, like silverware, and others are disposable, so your guests can use a clean fork with every dip. Here are a few I found on Amazon that are similar to my favorite dippers.

Using A Fondue Pot

If you have a fondue pot, follow the directions that came with it before you follow any other directions. But generally speaking, you’ll light the warmer and let things melt while you stir. Then, reduce the heat to keep things warm.

Using A Slow Cooker

If you prefer to use a slow cooker, you’ll want to heat any fondue ingredients over low heat. Once melted and stirred together, you’ll want to set the slow cooker to its warm setting. Never use a slow cooker that doesn’t have a warm setting when you are making fondue.

Using A Pot

When it comes to fondue, your best bet is a double boiler. To keep things simple, you can put a heat-safe bowl over a pot of water and simmer the water until everything is melted. But double boiling is the best way to go on the stovetop. You never want to overheat the fondue ingredients, no matter what type you are making.

Using A Microwave

Yes, it’s unusual and probably sacrilegious in the culinary world. But a microwave can be a great way to make this, particularly in smaller amounts. Once you have the sauce made, you can easily transfer the mixture to a fondue pot or keep it warm in a slow cooker in a warm setting.

How To Keep Chocolate Fondue Warm 

  • Fondue pot – If you are using a fondue pot, it will have a warm setting that will keep everything at the right temperature.
  • Slow cooker – Once everything is melted, simply turn the slow cooker to the warm setting.
  • Stovetop – In this case, you’ll most likely need a warming dish- something with a heat source you can control. You’ll set your saucepan or dish on that and keep the temperature at the right level for the sauce to stay warm.  If you have a good warming plate, you can place a bowl of chocolate fondue sauce over a pot of simmering water for the duration. Just set it up so people don’t burn themselves.

Prepping Chocolate Fondue Ahead Of Time

You can prep this up to 1 day ahead of time in one of two ways.

  1. Simply combine everything with the intent of melting everything the day you need it.
  2. You can melt everything ahead of time and then store it in the fridge until you are ready to reheat it.

Chocolate For A Chocolate Fountain

If you are making this for a chocolate fountain, you’ll want to add more oil. You’ll need a thinner consistency to keep everything flowing nicely. That being said, I can’t advise you on this as I have never tried it myself. But there is much information on it on the web.

Best Chocolate For Dark Chocolate Fondue

Consider your guests. Who will be eating this,, and how much do they enjoy dark chocolate? Some folks love it, some folks hate it, so keep that in mind.

Aside from this, the better quality dark chocolate you can get your hands on, the better. I personally used Baker’s chocolate. It’s unsweetened chocolate that comes in 1-ounce squares, which makes it easy to decide how much to make. But you can also use bittersweet chocolate if you prefer.

How To Thicken Dark Chocolate Fondue

For every 1 oz. square of chocolate you use, you can add 1 tbsp. of cornstarch to your fondue. However, you’ll want to make a slurry first, using a very small amount of heavy cream. Whisk it together and then slowly stir it into the fondue. Continue stirring until you see the fondue begin to thicken.

How To Thin Dark Chocolate Fondue

If your fondue is too thick, you can easily thin it out by stirring in a bit of heavy cream.

Do You Add Oil To Chocolate Fondue?

Absolutely! That’s what gives it its fluid texture. Without it, it’s just melted chocolate.

Fondue Etiquette

If you are sitting around the table with your immediate family, fondue etiquette can be whatever you want it to be. But if you are sharing with party guests, there are some forms of etiquette you’ll want to follow.

  1. Don’t spoon fondue sauce out of the pot. This defeats the purpose and is considered bad manners.
  2. Don’t eat off of your fondue fork. Not only does this qualify as double dipping when you go for your next bite, but it’s also not the safest way to eat because fondue forks can really stick you! They are pretty sharp! Instead, use the fondue fork for dipping and then use your own utensils to help slide the food off the fondue fork and onto your plate.
  3. It’s considered good etiquette to essentially “stir” the fondue sauce when you dip to keep everything fluid. Some people like to dip and stir in a figure eight. Others like to stir in a circle. Either way, it does a good job of coating the food with sauce and keeping the fondue fluid in the process.
  4. Never dip with your fingers! This should go without saying.
  5. Never double dip! Again, this should be common sense when you are sharing fondue with people you don’t kiss.

What Do You Dip In Dark Chocolate Fondue?

Fruit is the most common food to dip in dark chocolate fondue. However, you could get creative and dip cut-up sweet bread, cake, cookies, pound cake, graham crackers, pretzels, or even good sourdough bread or potato chips! Here are some suggestions for fruits.

  • Pears
  • Strawberries
  • Blueberries
  • Raspberries
  • Blackberries
  • Bananas
  • Mango
  • Apples
  • Dried fruit of all kinds

Dark Chocolate Fondue Variations

Chocolate fondue can be flavored with anything from fresh citrus zest and extracts to flavored alcohol. Your choices are pretty open when it comes to flavor variations. Even something as simple as a teaspoon of vanilla or almond extract or a few coconut flakes can make a subtle change that you’ll enjoy.

What Is Dark Chocolate Fondue Made Of?

1 oz. unsweetened dark chocolate – You can also use unsweetened baking chocolate.

1 tsp. oil – Any light-flavored oil will work. Something like grapeseed oil or safflower oil.

1 tbsp. honey – or 2 tbsp. maple syrup.

How To Make Dark Chocolate Fondue

  • Start with 2-3 squares of chocolate in a microwave-safe bowl. Microwave for 2 minutes on high.
  • Remove from microwave and stir. Place back into the microwave for 30 seconds.
  • Remove from microwave and stir. Repeat steps 2 and 3 until the chocolate is melted. It is important not to overdo this as the chocolate will burn easily. Stir after every 30 seconds to ensure that the chocolate is helping to melt itself.
  • Stir in the appropriate amount of oil and honey. (2-3 teaspoons each)
  • NOTE: When multiplying the recipe, either warm all the chocolate together in a large bowl or do several batches. Do not melt a few squares, then add more to the same bowl and microwave again. The chocolate will burn this way.
  • Place in a fondue fondue dish or slow cooker and keep warm.
  • Adjust for taste and texture with oil and agave or honey.
  • Serve with fruit of choice.

How To Store Dark Chocolate Fondue

If packed well in an air-tight container, fondue will keep in the fridge for up to 1 to 2 weeks.

Can You Freeze Dark Chocolate Fondue?

You can, but not for too long. Pack it well in an airtight container, then keep it in the freezer for up to 1 month.

How To Reheat Dark Chocolate Fondue

Whatever method you use to heat your chocolate fondue is the same method you’ll use to reheat it. If you used a fondue pot, simply return the chocolate to the pot and set it to warm. The same goes for a slow cooker or a stovetop.

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A single blueberry on a toothpick being dipped into a white bowl filled with Clean Eating Chocolate Fondue Recipe

Dark Chocolate Fondue

Note: The ingredient amounts given are a starting point. This won't make much fondue. So you will need to multiply the amounts by how much fondue you need. I believe you can safely bet on 2-3 ounces of chocolate per person, and you'll have a little left over. Maybe…
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Course: Appetizer, Dessert
Cuisine: American
Prep Time: 15 minutes
Cook Time: 5 minutes
Total Time: 20 minutes
Servings: 1 entire recipe
Calories: 230kcal

Ingredients

  • 1 oz. unsweetened dark chocolate (You can also use unsweetened baking chocolate)
  • 1 tsp. oil
  • 1 tbsp. honey (or 2 tbsp. maple syrup)

Instructions

  • Start with 2-3 squares of chocolate in a microwave-safe bowl. Microwave for 2 minutes on high.
  • Remove from microwave and stir. Place back into the microwave for 30 seconds.
  • Remove from microwave and stir. Repeat steps 2 and 3 until the chocolate is melted. It is important not to overdo this as the chocolate will burn easily. Stir after every 30 seconds to ensure that the chocolate is helping to melt itself.
  • Stir in the appropriate amount of oil and honey. (2-3 teaspoons each)
  • NOTE: When multiplying the recipe, either warm all the chocolate together in a large bowl or do several batches. Do not melt a few squares, then add more to the same bowl and microwave again. The chocolate will burn this way.
  • Place in a fondue dish and keep warm.
  • Adjust for taste and texture with oil and agave or honey.
  • Serve with fruit of choice.

Notes

Please note that the nutrition data given here is a ballpark figure. Exact data is not possible.

Nutrition

Serving: 1entire recipe | Calories: 230kcal | Carbohydrates: 20g | Protein: 3g | Fat: 19g | Saturated Fat: 9g | Sodium: 7mg | Potassium: 235mg | Fiber: 4g | Sugar: 12g | Calcium: 29mg | Iron: 4.9mg

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33 Comments

  1. I think the most CRAZIEST thing anybody has ever done for me out of love… is well won a foot race… okay so maybe not purely for love… maybe it was done out of pure Macho-ness and silliness… and then love!…. but it was CRAZY so I am going to write about it…. you did say CRAZY and romantic right???
    Picture this- me in my 20s (you totally don’t know me.. but in my 20s I was well… 20ish like…. carefree- not a worry in the world ’cause I am in my 20s!) …. This guy (who would later become my hubby… picture tall, dark, and handsome….) decided I was not paying enough attention to him at a BBQ (why would I pay attention to just one person at that time???!! I was in my 20s!) lol…. . So in order to get my attention he challenged this other guy to a foot race (okay… so there were a few beers involved in this too). So out in the front yard I watched two 30ish year old men have a foot race… Well my husband won and the rest is history- he won my heart! lol…. okay not really… I would of still went on a date with him if he lost! The craziest part of this story- is the guy who he raced was his boss! LOL! Changes the story a little bit heh? two professionals out in the street like kids racing…. lol! pretty funny in a macho/romantic/crazy way!

  2. Butterscotch pudding in a heart ramekin…so delish and oh so cute.

  3. I know that I probably missed the deadline for the giveaway, but I wanted to share that when my husband proposed, he made the ring himself, from an orange twistie tie from the loaf of bread on my counter! How sweet that was to see as he got down on one knee and asked me to marry him with that as his ring!

    He is the treasure of my life – and no diamond engagement ring would have been better than that! (I still have the engagement twistie tie-ring too!)

    Happy Valentine’s Day!

    —Gina <3

    1. The Gracious Pantry says:

      Gina – That’s fabulous!

  4. Catherine says:

    I was going to enter this but I couldn’t think of anything “that” special anyone has done for me. I’ve only ever had 2 “real” relationships and neither of them have done anything super special. I’d say the sweetest thing someone ever done for me was a one night stand who send me roses… wow… my life fails haha.

    ANYWAY, I totally want some chocolate fondue now.

    1. The Gracious Pantry says:

      Catherine – If a one-night-stand sent you roses, it must have been fun! lol.

  5. Never fallen in love, never held hands, kissed… anything. So Catherine, my life fails more!

    1. The Gracious Pantry says:

      Tanya – Love comes in all shapes and sizes. Sometimes you have to look in unconventional places. There is no failure in not having conventional things. It just means your life is different. If you can find the beauty in the life you have, love will always follow.