Melted chocolate flowing from a fountain updates a traditional fondue. As with fondue, pieces of cake or fruit are dipped into the melted chocolate of the fountain to coat. For the chocolate to properly coat the desserts and flow freely through the fountain, a certain amount of oil must be present. If the oil is not naturally present, you can add oil to the chocolate.
Choosing the chocolate
Look for chocolate labelled "couverture". This chocolate has more cocoa butter, allowing it to melt smoothly without added oil. Ideally, the amount of cocoa butter in the couverture should be between 31 and 38 per cent. Gourmet stores and candy-making outlets should carry couverture. Should couverture be too difficult to find, chocolate chips from a supermarket baking aisle melted with oil to thin will also work in a chocolate fountain.
- Look for chocolate labelled "couverture".
- Gourmet stores and candy-making outlets should carry couverture.
Adding the oil to the chocolate
Weigh the amount of chocolate to be added to the fountain. If using couverture, oil does not need to be added for melting. For every five pounds of regular chocolate chips, add 1/2 c. vegetable oil. Place both the chocolate chips and oil into a resealable zip top plastic bag and close.
- Weigh the amount of chocolate to be added to the fountain.
- For every five pounds of regular chocolate chips, add 1/2 c. vegetable oil.
Melting the chocolate in the microwave
Place the plastic bag in the microwave on high power for 1 1/2 minutes. Remove the bag and knead to mix the chocolate and oil. Heat for an additional 1 1/2 to 2 1/2 minutes or until all of the chocolate has smoothly melted. Snip a corner off of the zip top bag and add to the chocolate fountain according to manufacturer's directions.
- Place the plastic bag in the microwave on high power for 1 1/2 minutes.