Delicious and simple-to-make chocolate fondue with lots of fun dipping ideas!
The Best Chocolate Fondue
Growing up, chocolate fondue was one of my mom’s favorite desserts. With a family of 9, it was a simple dessert that brought everyone together. My mom, a big chocolate lover, always kept things simple in the kitchen—except for her fondue fountain.
Now, I’ve made a simpler version that doesn’t require any fancy fountains, just a microwave-safe bowl or pot.
This kid-friendly recipe uses a mix of semi-sweet and milk chocolate, giving it a sweet but not too sweet flavor. If you prefer darker chocolate, the recipe can easily be changed to your taste with different chocolate varieties!
Ingredients
- Chocolate: I love using a mix of milk and dark but you can use your favorite combo. Break into small chunks for even melting.
- Whole Milk: Start with 1/2 cup for thicker fondue and add more for thinner.
- Unsalted Butter: Leave it out for a stronger chocolate flavor.
- Vanilla Extract: Always use pure vanilla extract for the best flavor.
- Sea Salt: A pinch of flaky sea salt on top gives an extra pop of flavor.
How To Make Chocolate Fondue
- Prep dippers: Prep fruit, cookies, or other treats by cutting them into bite-sized pieces for easy dipping.
- Melt: Melt chopped chocolate with milk and butter in small bursts in the microwave or in a pot over medium-low heat.
- Right thickness: If the fondue gets too thick, add more milk to thin it out.
- Stir in flavor: Add vanilla extract and a pinch of sea salt for extra flavor.
- Serve warm: If it gets too thick, microwave in 15-second bursts, stirring each time, until smooth again.
Quick Tips
- Use good, high-quality chocolate for the best fondue. Avoid chocolate chips—they don’t melt well and can clump up quickly.
- Make sure all dishes the chocolate touches are completely dry—water will cause it to clump up.
- Try different chocolate flavors for more fun!
Favorite Things To Dip In Fondue
A better question: What can’t you dip in chocolate? Everything tastes better with chocolate, so get creative! Here are some of my favorites:
- Fresh fruit: Strawberries, blackberries, raspberries, bananas.
- Store-bought cookies: Oreos, Nutter Butters, Pirouettes (my favorite!), Milanos, Girl Scout cookies.
- Homemade cookies: These toffee pecan cookies are the best!
- Other treats: Pound cake, Rice Krispies treats, brownie bites, or big marshmallows.
Storage
Leftover Chocolate Fondue?
Store leftover fondue in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 3 days.
To reheat, microwave in 15-second bursts, stirring in between, or heat over medium-low heat, stirring frequently, until it regains its consistency.
More Dessert Recipes
- 7 Layer Bars with a graham cracker crust
- Lemon Cookies with a 2-ingredient lemon glaze
- Carmelitas readers favorite
- Chocolate Cheesecake with an Oreo crust
- Tuxedo Creme Brulee perfect for V-Day
Easy Chocolate Fondue
Ingredients
- 6 ounces semisweet chocolate, chopped into small pieces
- 4 ounces milk chocolate, chopped into small pieces
- 1/2- 3/4 cup whole milk (depending on thickness preference, I use 1/2 cup)
- 1 and 1/2 tablespoons unsalted butter, optional (see note)
- 1/2 teaspoon pure vanilla extract
- 1/8 teaspoon fine sea salt
- Flaky sea salt, for topping, optional
Dipping Ideas
- Fresh fruit: such as bananas, strawberries, raspberries, blackberries, clementines, etc.
- Cookies: oreos, piroette cookies, milanos,
Instructions
- Start by preparing all of the ingredients/treats you will be dipping in the fondue. The preparation of the fondue goes quickly so you want to have all the treats and skewers (if using) ready!
- To make the fondue, in a small bowl, combine the chocolate, 1/2 cup milk or cream, and butter* and melt gently in a barely simmering water bath or microwave on Medium (50 percent) power for about 2 minutes.
- Stir until completely smooth.
- Add more milk if desired. Remove from the heat and stir in the vanilla and salt.
- Serve this warm fondue immediately with whatever you’ve chosen to serve it with 🙂
- If the fondue gets too thick (or starts to harden), reheat in the microwave in bursts of 15 seconds stirring in between each burst for 10 seconds until melted and smooth again.
Video
Recipe Notes
Nutrition
Nutrition information is automatically calculated, so should only be used as an approximation.
The best chocolate fondue recipe!
Wow. Inspired. Can’t wait to make this!
Does this work in a fondue machine because I’m throwing a classroom party and I ordered a fondue machine for the class. Would it work with that?
It should work great!
Tried this during our family gathering and everyone loves it! Definitely an all-time favourite!
So happy to hear that! 🙂 Thanks so much for the comment Venice 🙂
Just made this tonight for my husband and 4 daughters. They absolutely loved it!
Great, easy recipe!! I used the Ghirardellis semi-sweet chocolate. Thank you!!
Yay!! I’m so happy you all enjoyed it! Thanks for your comment! 🙂
After you dip anything in your fondue, does the cocolate harden, forming a crispy shell? I was hoping to get a recipe like that, because the last one I tried on my chocolate fountain the chocolate did not harden after a while and people werer eating and dripping chocolate all over their plates and also the place.
Thanks for sharing this recipe. Also, nice pictures.
Yes, it does.
This looks so good. Could I keep it in little crock pot sauce warmer after it was prepared?
Fantastic and easy to make! We put it in a small dip sized crockpot and kept it on warm- it was perfect!
So glad to hear it! Thanks Annette 🙂
Would this work alright in a fondue pot too?
Absolutely!! I hope you enjoy! 🙂
Can this recipe be reheated once hardened?
Yes 🙂
This is perfect! Just yesterday I was searching your website for a chocolate fondue recipe. You read my mind! I found a random one I was going to use, but I always trust your recipes more than anyone elses! Thanks for posting it just in time for some Valentines fun!
Awe thanks Mateo! 🙂 Glad you’ve been enjoying the recipes here!
Can you reccomend a chocolate brand. You say use high quality chocolate bars. Should I go to a sweet shop or is the most expensive kind at New Seasons OK?
Yes that will be great 🙂 Just not a cheap/waxy chocolate! Enjoy!
I’ve never tried homemade fondue before…can’t wait to try! So decadent yet simple 🙂
Yay! I hope you enjoy! 🙂