This easy chocolate fondue recipe is rich, silky, and made with dark chocolate, milk chocolate, and heavy cream for the perfect balance of flavor and texture. Infused with vanilla and a splash of amaretto, it’s a cozy, crowd-pleasing dessert that’s ideal for entertaining, family fondue night, or any special occasion.
In a saucepan over low-medium heat, add the heavy cream and a pinch of salt. Whisk until the salt dissolves and the cream begins to gently steam. Keep the heat low and slow. By adding the salt early in the process, we allow the salt to fully dissolve and distribute evenly throughout the liquid, so the entire fondue is seasoned, not just pockets of chocolate. This gives you a smoother, more balanced chocolate flavor without tasting “salty.”
Once steaming, add the amaretto and vanilla extract. Whisk to combine. This allows the flavors to gently bloom.
Next add the dark chocolate and milk chocolate to the warm cream. Whisk continuously over low heat until fully melted and smooth.
Pour the chocolate fondue into a fondue pot and keep it on warm. Do not let it boil. Serve immediately with fondue forks and your favorite dippers. Enjoy!
Notes
Substitutions and VariationsThis chocolate fondue recipe is flexible and easy to customize.
No alcohol: If you do not prefer alcohol, you can skip the amaretto and add an extra splash of almond extract. 1/8 tsp almond extract.
Peppermint chocolate fondue: Replace vanilla with ¼ teaspoon peppermint extract
Semi-sweet chocolate: Swap the dark chocolate for semi-sweet chocolate if you prefer a sweeter fondue
White chocolate fondue: Use high-quality white chocolate and reduce cream slightly. Note: due to the amount of cocoa butter in white chocolate, the texture may be tricky.
Slow cooker method: Melt everything on low or warm setting, stirring often
You can also add extra flavor with orange zest, espresso powder, or flavored bitters.