If you’re looking for a dessert idea that is fancy, memorable and super simple, give this Chocolate Fountain recipe a try. Our step-by-step guide will show you how to melt your chocolate, give you ideas for dipping items and even answer your most frequently asked questions.
You might be surprised to learn that a Chocolate Fountain is actually an incredibly easy, affordable dessert to make for birthday parties, holidays and other special events. What’s more fun and impressive than a fancy looking fountain of smooth flowing chocolate with a table full of fun dipping items?
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Chocolate Fountain Recipe
This step-by-step guide will give you all of the information that you need to have a perfectly successful Chocolate Fountain. We’ll give you our recipe for the chocolate fountain, dipping item ideas, instructions for both a stove top and Instant Pot method, tips and tricks and even answers to your most frequently asked questions.
If you’re looking for a similar interactive dessert, you can also try our Chocolate Fondue recipe which uses heavy cream instead of coconut oil for an incredibly decadent treat.
Chocolate Fountain Ideas
Once you’ve got your chocolate fountain set up and melted your chocolate, it doesn’t do you much good unless you have things to dip into it! Keep in mind that you want to choose dipping items that can sit out at room temperature for an hour or two.
With that being said, here are some of our favorite Chocolate Fountain dipping ideas:
- Fresh strawberries
- Pineapple chunks
- Apples slices
- Wafer cookies
- Oreos
- Graham crackers
- Chocolate chip cookies
- Marshmallows
- Pretzels
- Rice Krispies Treats
- Cream puffs
- Pound cake cubes
- Donut holes
- Cinnamon bears
How to Make Chocolate Fountain Chocolate
The preferred methods for melting chocolate for a chocolate fountain are either the double boiler method over the stovetop or in an Instant Pot. Here are instructions for both.
Double Boiler Method
- Using a sharp knife, shave and cut the chocolate bars into small chunks (about ½") then place into a large glass or metal bowl along with the coconut oil.
- To create a double broiler, find a small or medium pot and fill with about 2 inches of water. Bring to a simmer, then place the bowl with chocolate over the pot (Note: the bottom of your bowl shouldn't be touching the water). Reduce heat to a low simmer.
- Stir the chocolate and coconut oil with a rubber spatula occasionally until all the chocolate is smooth and the coconut oil is melted, then pour the melted chocolate into your chocolate fountain.
Instant Pot Method
- Add 2 cups of water to the bottom of an Instant Pot.
- Press the "Saute" button and set to less mode.
- Place the glass bowl over the lip of the instant pot, add chocolate and melt while stirring occasionally.
- Pour the melted chocolate into your chocolate fountain.
Frequently Asked Questions
First things first, read the instructions for your chocolate fountain. You’ll want to be sure you know how the thing works before you try putting any chocolate into it. Once you’ve read through the manual, melt your chocolate per the instructions in our recipe. From there, you’ll need to add the melted chocolate, turn the fountain on, make sure it’s level and dip away.
Since the whole idea of a chocolate fountain is to eat chocolate, you’ll want to make sure you are using a high quality brand, whether you choose milk, dark or white chocolate. My favorite brands to use are Guittard and Peter’s Chocolate.
Chocolate bars are preferred over baking chocolate or chocolate chips as the cocoa butter percentage is higher making for smooth flowing chocolate fountains. But, if all you can get your hands on are semi-sweet chocolate chips, don’t completely give up. You’ll likely have to add extra coconut oil or vegetable oil in order to make it flow smoothly.
A final option is to purchase chocolate that is specifically made for a chocolate fondue fountain, though they tend to be a bit pricey.
You’ll want to use a neutral, taste-free oil such as coconut oil, vegetable oil or canola oil for adding to your chocolate. Some chocolate fountain recipes also include a bit of heavy cream to make the melted chocolate a bit richer which you can do if you like. For this particular recipe I would suggest adding 1 cup of heavy cream.
Yes! Pour any leftover Chocolate Fountain chocolate through a fine mesh strainer into an airtight container and let it set up at room temperature. It should stay good for up to 1 month, during which time you can remelt and use again.
Chocolate Fountain Tips and Troubleshooting
- Use a high-quality chocolate bar. I like to buy my chocolate in the bulk bins at my local grocery store. My favorite brands are Guittard and Peter's Chocolate.
- I like to use the double boiler method to melt my chocolate, and make sure it is runny enough to move through the fountain before adding it.
- Turn the chocolate fountain on for about 2 minutes before adding the chocolate. This will allow the fountain to heat up.
- If chocolate isn't flowing evenly, be sure the fountain is level.
- If the chocolate seems a bit too thick, add more melted coconut oil. Take about a cup of chocolate and add it to the coconut oil. Pour the mixture back into the top of the fountain with the rest of the chocolate and then stir the bottom layer gently with a spoon to help mix it together.
Cleaning Tips
- Make sure you clean up as soon as you are done! If you let it sit too long, the chocolate will harden, making it very difficult.
- It works great to wipe the chocolate off as best as you can with a paper towel.
- Put the wiped-off fountain pieces in a sink with hot soapy water and use a washcloth to wash the fountain.
- Be sure to let the fountain air dry before putting back into storage.
Chocolate Fountain Recipe
Ingredients
- 2 pounds Milk Chocolate Bars Guittard or similar high quality brand
- ¾ cup Coconut Oil
Instructions
- Set up your chocolate fountain according to the package instructions.
- Using a sharp knife, shave and cut the chocolate bars into small chunks (about ½") then place into a large glass or metal bowl along with the coconut oil.
- To create a double boiler, find a small or medium pot and fill with about 2 inches of water. Bring to a simmer, then place the bowl with chocolate over the pot (Note: the bottom of your bowl shouldn't be touching the water). Reduce heat to a low simmer.
- Stir the chocolate and coconut oil with a rubber spatula occasionally until all the chocolate is smooth and the coconut oil is melted, then pour the melted chocolate into your chocolate fountain.
- Serve with strawberries, pretzels, marshmallows, Rice Krispies treats, cream puffs, cinnamon bears or any of your favorite treats. Enjoy!
Nutrition
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Chocolate Fountains look fancy but they are actually an incredibly simple and affordable dessert option. This step-by-step guide will show you how to make chocolate for a chocolate fountain, give you ideas for dipping items, and even answer your most frequently asked questions.
Linda Gould
can grape oil be used instead of coconut oil?
Jill Baird
Sorry, I'm not familiar with grape oil. You can use another cooking oil, as long as it it a really mild taste. That's why I reccomend Coconut oil. You wouldn't want to use a olive oil or something with a strong taste.