By the time you guys read this, I’ll be on my way to Scotland. I’m in the middle of a two week long vacation; first, in the Netherlands for my sister’s wedding, and now over to the England to visit my good friend Kiron (who you may remember I visited last January in Austin, TX) before we road-trip up to Scotland together.
While clearing out my camera’s memory card to make room for photos from this trip, I came across these shots of these mini chocolate stout fondue desserts. I took them this past May and I’m guessing promptly forgot about them during my whirlwind move to San Francisco. I whipped these up for me and Erlend in an attempt to finish off all the scraps of ingredients I had lying around that would otherwise have ended up in the trash — mostly partially-used bars of chocolate, open packages of candy and cereal, and half-drunken bottles of beer:
I’ll keep this post short and sweet, but before I go, here are some truths about fondue that we need to talk about:
First; you don’t need a fancy fondue pot to throw a little fondue party. Unglamorous pots, ramekins, or even plain old cereal bowls will do. Really, anything that holds liquid is fine. For evidence, please see my example above, wherein my otherwise useless mini cocotte pots make a great molten chocolate vessel.
Second; those who serve fruit with their chocolate fondue are amateurs. Chocolate fondue is good with your standard fruit like strawberries, bananas, and even clementine slices, sure. But chocolate fondue is HOLYHELLBALLSGREAT when served with Oreos, meringues, mini mochi pillows, mini marshmallows, and Lucky Charms marshmallows.
Third; did you know that chocolate fondue is just a giant pot of molten, melted chocolate??? No, really. Secret’s out. But it’s still amazing.
Some baker’s notes:
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- This recipe easily doubles, triples, or quadruples for bigger parties! Fondue party away, folks.
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- I used the Le Creuset cocottes you see above because yep, I sadly do not own a fondue pot. You can get away with serving the chocolate fondue in ramekins, but you’ll likely need to reheat the chocolate every 15 minutes since it tends to thicken as it cools. It helps to use a microwave dish, so you can just pop it in the microwave for around 10 to 15 seconds to reheat it. Don’t microwave it any longer than that or you might accidentally burn the chocolate!
- If you are using a legit fondue pot, remember to keep the heat at its lowest setting. Chocolate scorches and burns easily, so make sure you’re stirring the chocolate constantly over the low flame.
Salted Chocolate Stout Fondue (for Two!)
Ingredients
- 4 ounces 70%-cacao dark chocolate, finely chopped
- 1/4 cup heavy cream
- 1 tablespoon unsalted butter
- 2 tablespoons stout beer (I used Rogue Brewery chocolate stout beer)
- 1 teaspoon Maldon flaky sea salt
- dippers!!! (e.g. strawberries, bananas, clementines, marshmallows, cookies, candy, and whatever else you want!)
Instructions
- Place 4 ounces finely chopped dark chocolate in a medium, heatproof bowl. Set aside.
- Combine 1/4 cup heavy cream and 1 tablespoon unsalted butter in a small, heavy-bottomed sauce pot over medium heat. Bring the cream and butter to a simmer, and pour immediately over the chocolate in the bowl.
- Let the mixture stand for 3 minutes, before whisking until smooth. Whisk in 2 tablespoons stout beer until incorporated.
- Immediately transfer to your serving bowls of choice and sprinkle the the tops of each bowl with flaky sea salt. Serve immediately with your dippers of choice, and enjoy!
Heather says
i love fondue! although i generally don't have the array you have (at my house, we tend to do bananas, apples and salted pretzels). can't speak for all the fondue pot owners out there, but my fondue pot has been used exactly once; it's so much easier to just use a double boiler.
sophie // the cake hunter says
Pretty sure I'm going to have the Fondue for Two song in my head all day now. Looks awesome. Salt, chocolate and stout….threesome made in heaven!
Tori Cooper says
This does look holyhellballsgreat! I love that you've made it so simply and kept it real with the dippers!
Dixya Bhattarai RD says
i love fondue with brownies – love chocolate and chocolate action. hope you are enjoying your vacay 🙂
Amy Gustafson says
Have fun on your trip! My best friend and I will be doing a similar England/Scotland roadtrip in 2 weeks!! Its been fun to read about your trip and compare!
Jessica says
lucky charms marshmallows!! too good. and the le creuset cocottes are too cute!
Lisa @ Healthy Nibbles & Bits says
Have fun on your trip!! I usually go to England during Christmas when it's all cold and rainy. I need to make it over there during the summer!
Also, confession: I never tried doing chocolate fondue at home because I've always thought that I don't have the proper equipment. You make fondue look so easy!
Sam Gallegos says
This sounds amazing. I am definitely go I n to ha email to do this ASAP.
Sara | Cake Over Steak says
Oh, fun! I hope you're having a blast on your travels – I've been enjoying following along on IG. 😀
June Burns says
Chocolate fondue? Sign me up! I would probably dip something like pb cookies in it, lol 🙂
Warm Vanilla Sugar says
I love this. Such a fancy date-night for besties or lovers! Yum!
Kathryn says
Adding beer to chocolate fondue?! Totally inspired. And as for the idea of dipping oreos into a fondue? I'm there. All day, every day.
Jessie Snyder | Faring Well says
Those fondue pots are the cutest!! Have the best time adventuring in Scotland – super jealous and cannot wait to see the beauty you capture!!
Abby | Lace & Lilacs says
Oh my goodness, Michelle, I am OBSESSED with this. Those lucky charms marshmallows!? Dipped in chocolate?! I can't even.
Have fun in Scotland! xx
genevieve @ gratitude and gree says
Michelle! I am about to bombard you with my favourite places in Scotland. I studied in St Andrews there for four years and miss it so much- it's only a train ride away from Edinburgh and I highly recommend going if you get a chance! Balgove Larder and Cottage Kitchen are the places to go if you make it there. Edinburgh is such a beautiful city and I think you'll love it. My favourite cafe is Leo's Beanery (the scones are to die for), The Chocolate Tree has amazing affogato, gelato, and chocolate. I highly recommend getting the dark chocolate salted caramel truffle. Urban Angel has really yummy breakfast/brunch, they make their own baked beans and it's so tasty! I also love Peter's Yard Cafe. That's just off the top of my list! Anyway, this salted chocolate stout fondue sounds super yummy. I really want to host a fondue party now 😉
Erica says
Gahhh fondue is the best, I love fond memories of girls nights in undergrad with plenty of chocolate fondue. This one sounds incredible! And I love love love your recommendations for dipping things – mochi!? What!? Dead.
Betty Liu says
This is so cute haha. I've actually never had fondue, but it sounds pretty good – fruit and other things dipped in a salted chocolate stout fondue?? Haha, that sounds amazing! Have a ton of fun in Scotland Michelle!
Alana | Fix Feast Flair says
OOHHH gurl, salted chocolate STOUT? YES YES YES. Hope you're having the best time exploring Scotland!! Bring me back a pot of gold if you find one…wait…wrong country?
Amy W says
Mm, that looks incredible! 🙂
Welcome to Scotland! I don't know where you're heading, but I agree with Genevieve's comment – if you're in Edinburgh, The Chocolate Tree is definitely the place to head for all things chocolatey! (I tried hot chocolate and chocolate cake there once, a bit too much all in one go, although it was amazing!)
Michelle | Hummingbird High says
Yes! I once bought a fondue set, but found it was way too much of a fuss to deal with. Much easier to stick with a double boiler!
Michelle | Hummingbird High says
Thanks Sophie! xoxo
Michelle | Hummingbird High says
Thanks Tori! xoxo
Michelle | Hummingbird High says
Thanks Dixya!!! I wanted to make brownies to dip in the fondue, but ran out of time! Oh well… next time!
Michelle | Hummingbird High says
Ahhh! Have fun!!! Both are absolutely beautiful! Be sure to bring clothes for warm weather — I was unprepared and was expecting fog and rain. But it's absolutely beautiful here!
Michelle | Hummingbird High says
Thanks Jessica! xoxo
Michelle | Hummingbird High says
Fondue is easy!!! You really don't need a fondue set, I promise.
Michelle | Hummingbird High says
Thanks Sam! xoxo
Michelle | Hummingbird High says
Thanks Sara!!! Hoping to do a recap post when I'm back, but honestly, I haven't used my DSLR once since getting here! I'm not the best travel photographer, I guess?
Michelle | Hummingbird High says
Oooh, PB cookies, that sounds amazing. I'll remember that for next time! xoxo
Michelle | Hummingbird High says
Thanks Katrina! xoxo
Michelle | Hummingbird High says
Yes!!! Saving the marshmallows you gave me for the next time I make fondue. I'm so excited!
Michelle | Hummingbird High says
Thanks Jessie! xoxo
Michelle | Hummingbird High says
Thanks Abby!!! xoxo
Michelle | Hummingbird High says
AHHH I wish I'd seen this earlier!!! I was staying about an hour outside of Glasgow at a small town called Wemyss Bay; we were doing some island hopping! We only made it to Glasgow, but I've heard nothing but good things about Edinburgh. I really wish I'd been able to check it out!
Michelle | Hummingbird High says
YES. Chocolate dipped mochi is the BEST. I hope you get a chance to try it soon!
Michelle | Hummingbird High says
Thanks Betty!!! xoxo
Michelle | Hummingbird High says
Hahhaa, pretty sure that's Ireland. I'll bring you back some haggis from Scotland though 😉
Michelle | Hummingbird High says
Unfortunately, I only made it to Glasgow — I just didn't have enough time to check out Edinburgh, though it's definitely on my bucket list for the future!!!
Sara | Cake Over Steak says
Haha! That can be such a pain in the ass sometimes. But iPhone photos work just as well sometimes!
Renée Kemps says
Yehes! Totally agree on the non-fruit thing. This is such a comfy, chocolate-y, delicious recipe! Definitely craving it right now(: