Nutty Chocolate Fondue

Dip seasonal fruits in this creamy melt of chocolate and flavour it up with hazelnuts.

Hazelnut chocolate fondue with apples • Photography © Bottle and Brush Studio 2022

Chocolate fondue Is such a delicious dessert or afternoon tea treat. Warm melted chocolate flavoured with hazelnuts is so comforting. This type of nut pairs so well with chocolate and adds up some texture and nutritional value. You can dip some beautiful pieces of seasonal fruits like apples, persimmons, kiwis, oranges and mandarin. Persimmons that are non-astringent and ripe while still firm are so delicious with chocolate. Kiwis have always been a favourite for a fondue and of course you can’t go wrong with oranges or mandarin. Bananas, pears, strawberries, melons and stone fruits are amazing in fondue as well but I am suggesting this recipe with fruits that are the most available locally during the cool season. Apples are of course more of an autumn fruit but apple growers have cool rooms to keep the fruit fresh and available all year long. I suggest you find varieties that do not brown too quickly like Greenstar or Kanzi. They are so crisp and delicious too!

Apples and hazelnuts • Photography © Bottle and Brush Studio 2021-22

If you have an old fondue set sleeping in your cupboards, that’s perfect, take it out and use it! Chocolate fondue sets are usually made of porcelain, and are smaller than the cheese or wine broth fondue ones. You only need one tea light candle to keep the mixture creamy and warm. If you don’t have a set, go to second hand shops near you, there is always at least one standing there, often brand new in a box… for a buck! It sounds like many people have received them as a gift and never used it, and that is a shame. Anyway, with a set or without, you first prepare your fondue in a saucepan. You can always use that pan to dip in (as it will keep the chocolate melted a bit longer) or pour the hot chocolate mix over a plate of fruits. If you have pomegranate, sprinkle some of those juicy seeds on top for a visual and tasty impact. Use good quality cooking chocolate, chips or bars. Enjoy your fondue in good company and keep warm and happy as winter is still here!

Winter fruit chocolate fondue time • Photography © Bottle and Brush Studio 2022

RECIPE

INGREDIENTS (for a standard chocolate fondue dish bowl):

Fondue:

¼ cup hazelnut meal

1/4 cup cocoa powder

90g dark chocolate

90g milk chocolate

1 cup milk (adjust quantity to preferred thickness*)

Pinch of cinnamon

Fruits:

Apples (Greenstar, Kanzi), slices

Persimmons, peeled and seeded slices

Oranges or mandarin pieces

Kiwis, peeled slices

Pomegranate seeds

PREPARATION: In a small saucepan, mix the fondue ingredients.

Prep all fruits and set aside in a serving dish.

Warm and melt the mixture slowly until all smooth, stirring well.

If you find it too thick, add more milk.

Pour the mix in the fondue set dish*, light the candle, dip fruits in and enjoy.

*If you don’t have a set, eat from the saucepan or dish, or pour the fondue over the fruits.

#containshazelnuts