My husband, Griff, always plans the best birthdays for me. One of my favorites was the year he introduced me to fondue at the Melting Pot. We had the whole works, and it was sooooo good! Needless to say, I was taken with fondue. It is the best social dinner or dessert that exists! Fondue is fun, delicious, and it is takes a while to eat. So lots of time to talk and laugh! I bought Griff a really nice fondue pot for the following Valentine's Day, and promptly made the worst fondue the world has ever seen... twice in a row! I have experimented since then, and eventually found this truly TO-DIE-FOR dessert fondue. Ideas for dipping with this recipe: angel food cake, pound cake, strawberries, bananas, brownies, marshmallows. Oh, and I can't forget my husband's favorite... a slice a cheesecake with a spoon to drizzle the fondue over each bite. Enjoy!
Chocolate Coconut Almond Fondue
Submitted by Mindy ~ The Sisters Cafe

1/2 cup sliced almonds
1 cup cream of coconut, such as Coco Lopez
(this is in the mixers section, NOT the international/asian food section)
1/2 cup heavy cream
12 ounces high-quality milk chocolate, finely chopped
(I use Guittard milk chocolate chips)
1/2 cup toasted coconut flakes
1. Position a rack in the top third of the oven and preheat to 350 degrees. Spread almonds on a baking sheet. Bake, stirring occasionally, until the almonds are toasted, about 8 minutes. Cool completely. Chop the almonds finely and set aside. Now repeat with the coconut, but don't chop.
2. In a medium, heavy-bottomed saucepan, bring the cream of coconut and heavy cream to a simmer over medium heat. Remove from the heat and add the chocolates. Let stand until the chocolates soften, about 3 minutes. Whisk until smooth.
3. Transfer to fondue pot or chafing dish and keep warm over the burner. (I have an electric fondue pot, and I keep it on 2). Serve immediately with the dipping ingredients and bowls of the almonds and coconut. Allow guests to sprinkle their dipped foods with the almonds and coconut before eating. As an alternative, add the coconut and almonds to the chocolate.
Recipe Source: Adapted from "Fondue" by Rick Rodgers
I love fondue. It creates such a great opportunity to talk, laugh, and spend time with those you love. My family (3 girls, DH, and I)does a "meat" fondue...chicken, shrimp, crab, steak... every year on New Year's. We cook the meats in a vegetable broth, and sit around and remember all of our "favorites" of the previous year. Because it takes a while for the meats to cook, I actually use pre-cooked shrimp which basically just needs to be warmed in the broth as a "filler" food so there are not long gaps between meats. I also have a slideshow running on our computer of pictures from all of our activities from the previous year. It is one of the highlights of our year, and my kids absolutely love it. It is probably our #1 favorite family tradition.
ReplyDeleteThe chocolate fondue looks delish! Valentine's would be a fun time to do this!!
Oh, and with chocolate fondue those cream puffs from Costco are to die for!!
ReplyDeleteThat is my kind of fondue!!! I've never had anything like it and have copied it to try. Too bad my kids don't like coconut or almonds and my husband doesn't like sweets. Guess I'll have to eat it all myself!!! (Just kidding of course. I'll have ot have it while I have friends over.)
ReplyDeleteOhh yummm! We have a fondue party every Valentines with my boys. This will be the one I will make this year!! Thanks Mind!
ReplyDeleteYummy. BTW,thanks for having the printable version now. I love your recipes!
ReplyDeleteOh WOW that looks SOOOO good! I have got to buy a fondue pot. Too bad we don't live a little closer... I have a huge cheesecake from Eric's birthday to use up! Griff and Eric could both have their favorites... and I'm sure we would like it too! :)
ReplyDeleteDessert fondue is so delicious and easy to make. This variation with coconut must be very tasty.
ReplyDeleteI LOVE THIS
ReplyDeletewe get out the fondue once or twice a year. I am loving all the extras you put in the chocolate
ohhh I love the melting POT!!!! Drool.
ReplyDeleteThat looks fabulous! We love to fondue and I am always looking for new recipes. I'd love to see some of your other fondue recipes that you like, especially for cheese!
ReplyDeleteHow pretty!! I haven't even thought of fondue for years and years. This looks great!!
ReplyDeleteI nominated The Sister's Cafe for a blogger award :)
ReplyDeletehttp://jennsfoodjourney.blogspot.com/2010/01/extremely-honored.html
Chocolate-coconut-almond-fondue
ReplyDeleteMy four favorite words! :)
Have a wonderful weekend ladies!
Wow this looks amazing. I need my husband to take me to the melting pot, I have heard so many good things. I will have to try this one for sure!
ReplyDeleteHave you girls ever tried this with raw chocolate?
ReplyDeleteHi Claire,
ReplyDeleteI don't think any of us has ever used raw chocolate. (Correct me if I am wrong girls). I have eaten it at one of our friends' houses, but never actually bought it. If you do make this with raw chocolate, let us know how it goes.
Mindy
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