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.
I just tried this chocolate fondue recipe, and it was a huge hit! The rich, creamy texture and perfect sweetness made it a delightful treat for our family gathering. The instructions were clear and easy to follow, which made the whole process a breeze. Thanks for sharing such a delicious recipe—can’t wait to make it again!
I am so thrilled to hear this! Thanks so much Kelly!
Can this be made the day before? I have five 9 yr olds Saturday that I will be taking to an event then back for fondue. I need to make this easy to get ready once back home. Thanks!
Yes! It will harden so just reheat gently (low heat) the next day
I’m going to try this in my mini crockpot for a treat at work. I’m sure we will all love it.
Hope you enjoy!
I used this for a date night idea and she broke up with me. I blame you Chelsea for this horrible recipe!!!! >:(
She probably found a new true love in this Fondue! 😉 Sorry about the break up!
I didn’t make your recipe but l’m seeking advice. I recently bought some chocolate cheese. It’s my desire to use it in fondue with my new (used) fondue burner pot. I can’t find any such recipe. It contains havarti cheese, sugar, butter, milk, cocoa powder, cream & some other texturing ingredients. It smells so good. Do you have any suggestions other than heat it & eat it? I would love to dip bananas, graham crackers, animal crackers and apples in it. I just don’t know what to add to it before putting it in the microwave and then into the fondue pot. Help me, please!
I volunteered to do a chocolate fondue for a ladies get together. I hadn’t used my fondue pot in years and didn’t remember how to keep the chocolate from hardening. I used your recipe and it was a great hit. I will keep your recipe
I am so happy to hear this! Thanks Shirley! 🙂
Planning to make this for a family Valentine’s Day dinner this week! Do you have a recipe for a cheese fondue? Hoping to make a whole fondue meal 🙂
I don’t but it’s definitely something I will work on. But seriously you have to give this Chocolate Fondue a try, it’s truly incredible!
I just got a small Fondue with skewers and excited to try this one out.
I hope you love! 🙂
I used equal amount of dark and milk chocolate and heavy cream instead of milk+butter. Everyone loved the smooth texture and mellow flavor, specially with strawberries and clementines.
I am so happy to hear this! And yum with clementines! Thanks Neelam! 🙂
Easy and tasty recipe
Thank you!