Slow Cooker Chocolate Fondue for your Valentine

Celebrate Valentine's Day with your loved ones with a recipe I found in Midwest Living.  Decadent, rich and magical is the only way to describe the flavors of this delight.  It takes 10 minutes to prepare and 2 1/2 hours in the slow cooker.  This recipe contains alcohol but orange juice can be substituted for the Grand Marnier liqueur if desired.  

Combine the following ingredients in the slow cooker. 

 2 1/2 cups whipped cream, 12 ounces bittersweet or semi sweet chocolate, chopped and 1/4 cup Grand Marnier (or other orange liqueur),  or apricot brandy.  

Cover and cook on low heat for 2 1/2 - 3 hours, until mixture is smooth.  Whisk once halfway through cooking.  

Serve immediately or keep warm on low heat for up to 1 hour.  It may become grainy if held longer. If it thickens too much, thin with a bit of whipping cream or milk.

Serve fondue with Assorted Dippers (such as large marshmallows, graham crackers, cookies, cut up angel food or pound cake, pineapple chunks, halved strawberries, sliced bananas or any dried or fresh fruit or your liking.  

Happy Valentine's week & loving birthday wishes to our dear son Ryan💗

Post Christmas - Friday Fondue

Creating a Fun Dessert with Fondue

                                              
Christmas has come and gone and we are counting down to 2015.  Many of us still have family and friends staying with us for the holiday.  If you can't look at another Christmas cookie with sprinkles.  I have an easy dessert that the entire family can participate in creating!  The kids will especially love it.    
This will serve 8 and the fun part is that it's delicious and hands on.  Here's what you need to make the chocolate fondue:
Small saucepan
3/4 cup heavy cream
1 pound milk or dark chocolate, broken into pieces

Directions:
In a small saucepan, over low heat, warm the cream and chocolate.  Stir until the chocolate melts.  Transfer the chocolate to a serving bowl and SERVE IMMEDIATELY.   Make sure all of your guests have a fork.  Buffet style set up small serving bowls of any or all of the following for dipping into the chocolate and remember ANYTHING GOES!  

STRAWBERRIES, BITE SIZED PIECES OF PINEAPPLE, PEARS, PEACH CHUNKS, CANDIED ORANGE PEEL, CUT UP BANANA BREAD, ANGEL FOOD CAKE, POUND CAKE, BROWNIE BITES, SMALL DONUT HOLES, MARSHMALLOWS or SALTED PRETZELS.

                             Have a great weekend and thanks for stopping by.