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Chocolate Fondue

This easy 4-ingredient Chocolate Fondue recipe includes a secret ingredient that makes this the best ever! The fondue is rich, decadent, and thick enough to stick to all your favorite dippers for minimal drips and maximum chocolate deliciousness!

Strawberry dipped into chocolate fondue

This super easy Chocolate Fondue recipe has been the hands down favorite fondue recipe in our family. It’s rich in chocolate flavor and has a perfectly clingy texture that grasps onto whatever you’re dipping – thanks to marshmallows melted into the mix! (If you also like to fondue, check out this easy savory recipe for Bagna Cauda.)

Why We ❤️ This Chocolate Fondue Recipe

We’ve been a fondue family ever since our oldest daughter asked for a fondue pot for Christmas when she was 9 years old. I just love a kid who adds kitchen items to their Christmas list! Here’s why this recipe is our go-to:

  • No drippy fondue here! Although our daughters are older now, I remember very well those younger years when serving chocolate fondue was a messy proposition. I helped remedy the messy drips by melting marshmallows with the chocolate – it’s a simple trick that helps thicken up the melted chocolate so it clings to the fruit. Genius, I tell you. Plus fun and delicious!
  • Rich flavor. Don’t let the addition of marshmallows fool you — this isn’t a “kids version” of fondue that tastes cloying and overly sweet. I have yet to meet any adult who doesn’t like this recipe. Besides, we really do like Marshmallows around here!
  • Quick & easy & 4 ingredients. This fondue comes together quickly on the stove top in a saucepan; no need to set up a double boiler. And you only need four common ingredients!
ingredients needed for chocolate fondue

What You’ll Need

Just four ingredients, friends! Scroll to the printable recipe card at the bottom of the post for exact ingredient amounts.

  • Chocolate chips – I always use Guittard brand semisweet chocolate chips. You want the GOOD stuff here since it’s the main ingredient. See more about the importance of using good chocolate chips below.
  • Heavy cream – For a rich, velvety, luxurious texture and flavor.
  • Marshmallows – Mini marshmallows are melted into the mix. They add sweetness, but more importantly, a thickened, clingy texture that sticks to whatever you dip into the fondue.
  • Vanilla extract – Use high-quality pure vanilla extract, not imitation, which simply does not taste as good.

It’s important to use good chocolate. I always use Guittard semisweet chocolate chips for this recipe – they are my go-to chocolate chips that I’m never without! Ghirardelli is another good brand of chocolate chips. Just know that not all brands of chocolate chips melt well or taste great. You can also use good quality chocolate baking bars (just chop it up), found in the same area as the chocolate chips in the baking aisle – Ghirardelli and Baker’s brands are widely available and I keep them hand as well.

How to Make Chocolate Fondue

You’re just a few minutes away from chocolate-dipped bliss! Scroll to the bottom of the post for the full recipe card.

  • Combine the chocolate and cream. Add the chocolate chips and cream to a saucepan over medium-low heat. Melt, stirring often, until the mixture is smooth.
  • Add the marshmallows and vanilla. Stir in the marshmallows and keep stirring until they’re fully incorporated. Then pull the saucepan off the heat and stir in the vanilla.
  • Serve. Transfer the chocolate fondue to a fondue pot. Serve with your dippers of choice!

Tips & Variations

Here’s how to make the perfect chocolate fondue — and how to make it your own.

  • Keep the heat low. Do not let the mixture come to a simmer or a boil. This can scorch the chocolate, which ruins both the flavor and the texture.
  • Adjust the thickness. For a thinner fondue, use less marshmallows and/or more cream.
  • Customize the flavor. Swap the vanilla extract for orange, peppermint, or mint extract. Or stir in a splash of orange or raspberry liqueur.
  • Use a different chocolate. You can make fondue with any type of chocolate you like, whether it’s dark chocolate or milk chocolate. Just make sure it’s a good quality chocolate.
  • Use fresh marshmallows. Make sure your marshmallows are fresh and soft and squishy. Stale/hard marshmallows will not melt as well.
Marshmallows, strawberries, poundcake, and pineapple on plate

What to Serve With Chocolate Fondue

Whether you’re hosting a party or a special night at home with the family, it’s fun to put together a big board of dipping options. Kinda like dessert charcuterie!

  • Fruit. Fresh strawberries, pineapple, bananas, and apples are classic fruit choices for chocolate fondue, but don’t limit yourself! Dried apricots and candied orange peel are also great.
  • Marshmallows. We love to dip homemade Marshmallows into chocolate fondue, but a bag of fresh, puffy marshmallows from the store are A-ok! Peppermint Swirl Marshmallows are especially awesome during the holidays.
  • Cake. Pound Cake is dense enough to hold up to the thick chocolate without falling apart in the pot. Chunks of Angel Food Cake are also ideal for dipping! 
  • Cookies. You can use store-bought cookies, or go the extra mile and serve your fondue with buttery Chocolate Chip Shortbread Cookies.

What if You Don’t Have a Fondue Pot?

You don’t have to keep chocolate fondue super warm for it to be delicious. It will stay dippable even at room temperature. But you can also easily keep chocolate fondue warm without a fondue pot:

  • Mini crockpot: This party staple is not only great for keeping appetizers and dips warm, it’s also perfect for fondue.
  • Saucepan: Just transfer the saucepan of fondue from the stovetop to a hot pad, and let everyone gather ’round!

How to Store and Reheat Leftovers

  • Refrigerator: Store leftover fondue in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 5 days. (Cold fondue is also pretty fantastic. Just grab a spoon and scoop up a bite. It’s similar to Chocolate Ganache…like scoopable Chocolate Truffles!)
  • Reheat: You can warm the fondue in the microwave, in 15-second intervals, stirring between each one. Or gently heat it in a saucepan set over low heat, stirring frequently.
Dipping poundcake into chocolate fondue
Strawberry dipped into chocolate fondue

Chocolate Fondue

prep time: 5 minutes
cook time: 15 minutes
total time: 20 minutes
This easy 4-ingredient Chocolate Fondue recipe includes a secret ingredient that makes this the best ever! The fondue is rich, decadent, and thick enough to stick to all your favorite dippers for minimal drips and maximum chocolate deliciousness!
5 Stars (1 Review)
Print

Ingredients

  • 12 ounces good quality semi-sweet chocolate chips (I use Guittard brand)
  • ¾ cup heavy cream
  • 2 cups mini marshmallows
  • 1 teaspoon pure vanilla extract

Instructions

  • In a medium saucepan over medium-low heat, gently melt chocolate chips and cream together, stirring very regularly, until smooth. Do not let the mixture scorch; turn heat down if it gets too hot.
  • Add marshmallows to the smooth chocolate mixture, and stir until melted and smooth.
  • Pull the saucepan off the heat and stir in vanilla.
  • Transfer mixture to a fondue pot, to keep warm while eating, and enjoy with fresh strawberries, pineapple, and bananas, or whatever fruit strikes your fancy. Marshmallows (especially homemade marshmallows!) and bites of pound cake are wonderful, too!

Nutrition Information:

Serving: 1 Calories: 321kcal Carbohydrates: 38g Protein: 3g Fat: 21g Saturated Fat: 13g Polyunsaturated Fat: 7g Cholesterol: 25mg Sodium: 21mg Fiber: 3g Sugar: 31g
Nutrition information is automatically calculated by Spoonacular. I am not a nutritionist and cannot guarantee accuracy. If your health depends on nutrition information, please calculate again with your own favorite calculator.
Did you make this recipe?Please leave a comment below. And share a photo on Instagram with the hashtag #afarmgirlsdabbles or tag @farmgirlsdabble!

This post was first published in 2013, then updated in 2025.

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28 comments on “Chocolate Fondue”

  1. I love chocolate/marshmallow ice cream sundaes, so I know this would hit the spot with me.
    Looks like the party was a hit.:)

  2. I’m so glad to see fondue making a comeback. It was so popular back in the day and it’s nice that younger cooks are enjoying it all over again.

  3. Blair @ TheSeasonedMom

    I don’t fondue, but I have been thinking about getting a pot. After all, don’t all little kids love to dip their food? Thanks for the idea — maybe I’ll pull the trigger and get one! Sounds like a fun Valentine’s Day dessert!

  4. Angie @ Big Bear's Wife

    I love Fondue! Everytime we’re in Wilmington, we go to the Little Dipper Fondue and it’s just amazing. So simple, but so good. I have two Fondue pots at home that I’ve never even opened, ahh what’s wrong with me. I think I’ll this as an excuse to open them up!

  5. We went to the “Melting Pot” restaurant where I was first introduced to foods cooks in a heated pots and I adored the dessert fondue course where we had a dark chocolate fondue with marshmallows, cake bites, and various fruits. Afterward, I too thought about running out and getting a fondue pot–but never did. Now this recipe has brought that urge back and I might be going shopping this weekend after all! :-) Love your fondue recipe Brenda and might just break down and make even if I don’t get that fondue pot! Tee-Hee!!! :-)

  6. Heather @ Heather's Dish

    I LOOOOOOOOVE fondue!!!! Although let’s be honest, I really just need a spoon. That still counts as fondue, right? ;)

  7. I mentioned this to Griffin and his eyes lit up. We don’t make much of any fuss about Valentine’s Day, but this treat might be on our table that night. Look delicious!