I’ve been terrible about posting recently — I’m currently out of state visiting family for the week — but I didn’t want to go a whole week without sharing something! Last week was my good friend Amanda’s birthday, and I wanted to treat her to something special that wasn’t a cake or cupcakes. Chocolate fondue was the perfect choice: decadent, customizable, and easy to make.

This is my go-to chocolate fondue recipe that I use for our fondue nights. One of the best things about it is how adaptable it is. You can use semi-sweet, milk, or dark chocolate chips depending on how rich or sweet you want the fondue to be. For an extra twist, try stirring in a spoonful of peanut butter or some seedless raspberry jam for a flavored layer.

When it comes to dippers, I usually offer a mix: pound cake, strawberries, and sliced bananas are classic favorites. If you want to go all-out, Melting Pot style, include brownies, cheesecake bites, and Rice Krispie treats. A variety of textures and flavors makes the fondue experience more fun and satisfying.

Chocolate Fondue

Serves 4–6

Ingredients:

– 1 (12-ounce) bag chocolate chips (semi-sweet, milk, or dark)

– 2 tsp vanilla extract

– 1 tsp ground cinnamon

– 3/4 cup heavy cream (or half-and-half)

– For dipping: pound cake, strawberries, sliced bananas, brownies, Rice Krispie treats, etc.

Directions:

1. Heat your fondue pot to high. Pour in the cream and stir in the vanilla extract and cinnamon. Once the cream is hot, add about half the bag of chocolate chips and stir until melted and smooth. Add the remaining chocolate chips and continue stirring until fully combined. Reduce the heat to keep the fondue warm and enjoy with your selection of dippers.