Few desserts bring your guests together as effectively as chocolate fondue. Bonding and conversation are natural when you're sharing a communal bowl of chocolate. Though you don't need a fondue pot to serve your chocolate fondue, having one makes it easier to keep your chocolate from cooling down and hardening. If you don't have a fondue pot, you might need to pop your chocolate back over the heat a few times to keep it the right consistency for dipping.
Chocolate
Chocolate is the key ingredient in chocolate fondue, so it's worth splurging on a good quality chocolate. Milk chocolate takes the starring role in most chocolate fondues, but dark chocolate or semi-sweet chocolate lend a sophisticated note, either as a substitute for milk chocolate or in addition to it. Dark chocolate typically also goes through less processing than milk chocolate and as such, is the healthier choice. To make a quart of chocolate fondue for a crowd, you'll need about a pound of chocolate. For a romantic fondue for two, about 3 oz. of chocolate will suffice. Chop your chocolate before heating it to facilitate smooth melting.
Cream
You will get the most luxurious results using heavy cream -- about 1/2 cup of heavy cream for every 6 oz. of chocolate -- but if you don't want to blow your daily calorie count on a single dish, you can substitute half-and-half or even plain milk for the cream. If you want to reduce your calorie count even more, you can substitute 2-percent milk, but your fondue will be thinner. Non-fat yogurt, which is thick and creamy, may be a better substitute.
Other Ingredients
Chocolate fondue tastes fine with nothing but chocolate and cream, but consider personalizing your fondue with some of your favorite flavors. Add a few tablespoons of creme de menthe, kirsch, brandy or orange-flavored liqueur if you are serving adults. Kids may like the addition of a few tablespoons of peanut butter or a nut spread swirled into the chocolate mixture. Mint extract and vanilla are other possible additions. If your fondue isn't as sweet as you'd like, you can add a little sugar to taste.
Ingredients for Dipping
Cubes of pound cake or angel food cake and fresh strawberries are traditional accompaniments to chocolate fondue, but don't feel limited by those options. Other fruits, such as bananas, pineapple and apples, are a nice addition. When fresh fruit isn't in season, consider dried fruits -- figs, apricots or plums are good options -- or crystallized ginger or orange peel. Lemon cookies, madeleines, marshmallows, nuts and even brownies make delicious dipping options.
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