How to make chocolate dipped treats

We believe that chocolate is delicious on its own. But, if you want to do something particularly exciting with the good stuff, melting it and dipping in your favourite treats is a lovely option. Whether you’re hosting a dinner party or just want to add a little extra sparkle to a cosy night in, making chocolate dipped treats will be a fabulous addition.

Our Mini Chocolate Dipping Adventure is an easy and delicious way to indulge in this divine treat. Featuring pots of milk and white chocolate and an assortment of treats to dip into, this set makes melting chocolate simpler (and tastier) than ever before.

However, creating a chocolate dipping adventure from scratch can be just as fun! So much so, we’ve created this guide to help you do it…

21 foods to dip in chocolate

When it comes to suitable chocolate-dipping snacks, the list is endless. From juicy fruit to salty pretzels, there are countless treats which are even more delicious when dunked in melted chocolate.

Fruit

Dipping fruit in chocolate is a sweet and easy way to create a dessert you won’t even have to feel guilty about (nothing’s as healthy as fruit, after all). It’s also a great way to tempt kids into eating their 5-a-day.

Strawberries are classic dipping fruit. Anyone who’s had the pleasure of biting into a juicy chocolate-dipped strawberry will understand why this combination is timeless. However, don’t limit yourself! In fact, most items in your fruit bowl would be just as delicious dunked in chocolate.

For example, bananas and chocolate make a great pairing. This is especially true when the chocolate is dark because it balances out the natural sweetness of bananas. A slightly less obvious but just as delicious option would be juicy pineapple chunks. The jury may still be out on whether pineapple belongs on pizza, but once you’ve tasted it, there will be no debate over whether pineapple belongs in melted chocolate.

There’s a reason why chocolate and orange is such a beloved combination. The creamy indulgence of chocolate paired with the tangy flavour of orange is spectacular, so don’t forget to include some orange slices in your dipping platter.

Finally, dried fruit such as dried apricots, cranberries, and raisins are scrumptious with a chocolate coating, so remember to add them to your list when you’re shopping for items to dip.

Doughnuts and Churros

Sweet treats don’t get any better than fluffy sugar-sprinkled doughnuts, at least until you dip them in melted chocolate. We recommend going for a box of mini doughnuts. That way, you can enjoy the pleasure of dipping them over and over again.

Similarly, you could add a fun Spanish kick to your chocolate by dipping some churros. Sticks of deep-fried dough deliciousness, churros dipped in chocolate are the perfect indulgent treat. Often enjoyed for breakfast in Spain after a big night out, they’re the perfect choice if you want something a little more exotic than mini doughnuts.  

Marshmallows

When you’re melting chocolate, marshmallows are a must. A classic accessory for chocolate fountains and fondues, they’re practically made for dipping. The brighter the better, so try to find a packet containing a mixture of different pastel colours or even go for Flumps, which will add some child-like fun to the evening. Just make sure that you don’t get anything containing gelatin if you’re expecting veggie guests.

Biscuits and Cake

We all know that dunking biscuits in tea or coffee is good, but dunking biscuits in melted chocolate is out-of-this-world. Whether you’re partial to a rich tea or love a good digestive, covering your favourite biscuit with a generous layer of chocolate will make you fall in love with it all over again.

But biscuits aren’t the only traditional sweet treats that benefit from a good soak in chocolate. From Victoria sponge to carrot cake, bite-sized squares of cake only get more delicious if you dunk them in melted chocolate and would be perfect additions to any dipping parties.

Cheese

Although this combination may sound odd at first, cheese and chocolate actually go really well together. Enjoyable and addictive on its own, cheese becomes even more delectable when dipped in melted chocolate, so cut up some cubes of cheesy goodness and have fun dipping.

Nuts and Pretzel Sticks

Satisfyingly salty, nuts and pretzel sticks are great for dipping in chocolate because they create a savoury-sweet, crunchy-smooth extravaganza that your taste buds will adore. Everyone knows that nuts and chocolate are a fantastic combination and that’s no different when it comes to dipping.

Popcorn

We believe that popcorn and chocolate are underrated as a combination. Whether you prefer your popcorn sweet or salted, we guarantee that it’ll be even better dipped in chocolate. It’s an especially perfect choice for when you want to add a little extra fun to your movie night.

How to melt chocolate for dipping

Melting chocolate couldn’t be easier, or more fun. We prefer doing it on the hob as it gives you more control over the heat. Firstly, fill a saucepan just under half full with water and bring it to a simmer. Secondly, place a heat-proof bowl filled with chocolate on top and stir gently and frequently using a heat-safe rubber spatula. This method requires a little patience as it takes around 10 minutes, but it’ll be worth it. It’s best to use small pieces of chocolate for melting, like our chocolate drops, but if you don’t have any of these, you can just chop up a chocolate bar.

A quicker way to melt chocolate is by microwaving it, which only takes a minute or two. To do this, simply place your chocolate in a heat-proof bowl and microwave it for 30 seconds at a time, stirring after each go to ensure even heat distribution. Every microwave is a little different, so make sure you keep a close eye on your chocolate to prevent any burnt-choc disasters.

Top tip: Before you start melting, make sure you have enough chocolate to fully submerge everything you’re planning to dip.

What is the best chocolate for dipping?

Dark chocolate, milk chocolate, and white chocolate are all delicious when melted, but some go better with certain flavours. We recommend choosing your dipping chocolate based on what’s going to be dipped. If you’re planning to dip sugar-dusted treats like doughnuts or churros, plumping for a dark chocolate dip is a wise move to avoid anything becoming too sweet.

In contrast, if you’ll be dipping savoury snacks, like pretzels or nuts, we recommend going for something sweet, like milk chocolate. The contrast between the saltiness and sweetness will create an extraordinarily delicious experience that will leave you craving more.

When it comes to fruit, all chocolate goes well. If you’re dipping a very sweet fruit like strawberries, you could either balance it out by using dark chocolate or create an extra-indulgent treat by dipping it in milk or white chocolate. If you’re dipping orange slices or other citrus fruits, white chocolate is usually best because its creaminess perfectly contrasts with the tanginess of the fruit.

The most important thing to consider when choosing your chocolate for melting and dipping? Quality. Good quality chocolate melts better, so look for chocolate with a high cacao content, like any of our bars. Your dipping extravaganza deserves the very best, and we’re here to provide it.

Occasions to make dipping chocolate

We believe that making dipping chocolate is a great way to add some sweet magic to any day of the week, and an especially fun way to make important occasions even more special.

Having a dipping night for two is deliciously romantic, making it the perfect choice for Valentine’s Day. Whether you’re making your loved one a romantic dinner or having a cosy night in front of a rom-com, a little melted chocolate would be the perfect addition to your Valentine’s Day.

It’s also a great idea if you’re hosting a dinner party because when you’re cooking for guests, keeping it simple is the best way to avoid stress. Just chop up some fresh fruit and any other treats you fancy, melt a bowl of chocolate and voilà, you’ve wowed your guests with an easy and delicious dessert.

Finally, you can’t go wrong with melted chocolate at Christmas, Easter, or any other event where friends and family gather together. It’s especially fun (if a little messy) when kids are around – they’ll simply love it!

Whatever the occasion, we hope that this guide will help you make chocolate dipped treats like a professional chocolatier. Go on, get dipping and have lots of fun…