Ever since my first fondue feast at The Melting Pot 20+ years ago, it’s been one of my favorite special occasion dinners. And whether I brainwashed my girls or it’s in the Jarrett DNA (maybe both?), my daughters love it just as much as my husband and I do. The four of us still go to The Melting Pot a few times a year and do the full-on fondue feast, but I’ve also come up with a scaled-down version that we make at home when our chocolate and cheese fondue cravings get the best of us! It’s become a Valentine’s Day tradition and today I’m sharing that tradition (and my killer chocolate fondue recipe) with you! (post includes affiliate links – full disclosure statement available {here})
When we feast on fondue at home, we actually skip the main entree because come on, who wants chicken when you’ve got cheese and chocolate?! Instead we just have a salad course (to keep the mom guilt away), cheddar cheese fondue with bread and apple dippers, and then the best part – chocolate fondue with all sorts of yummy dessert dippers. It’s just the four of us on Valentine’s Day so my tables aren’t ever anything too fancy – some cute Valentine’s Day napkins and twin bouquets of Trader Joe’s flowers is about all we need to make it special:
Our fondue set is actually one my husband and I registered for when we got married – I’m telling you guys, we’ve been fondue addicts for ages! It’s no longer available but {this fondue pot} and {this one} both get great reviews. Ours sits in the middle of a lazy Susan that has spots for six bowls that we fill up with our dippers. And we each have a pair of color-labeled fondue forks and a fondue dinner plate that has separate compartments around the edges for sauces:
To dress up our kitchen table for this year’s Valentine’s Day fondue feast, I found some red and white chevron ribbon in my crafting stash and used it to tie together a Valentine’s Day napkin (you can’t tell but they are super cute – polka dots and Boston Terriers!) with the fondue forks. For drinks I brought out {these fun mugs} we normally use for hot chocolate and added {these cute red and white chevron straws}:
Our woven chargers were thrifted finds but {these} are very similar – I love and use them all the time! The runner is with macrame fringe on the ends is a DIY – you can find the tutorial for how to make it {here}.
Normally we just have little round white bowls full of dippers for our chocolate but I came upon these adorable heart-shaped ones last week at HomeGoods and they’re perfect! They were just starting to put out their Valentine’s Day decor and only had four of them but I’ll be doing some HomeGoods stalking in hopes of finding at least two more. Our favorite dippers to fill them with are fresh strawberries, cream puffs (I buy the Simply Enjoy brand frozen ones and take them out of the freezer about 15 minutes before we eat), cut-up chunks of pound cake, and marshmallows. Other options are Rice Krispie treats, bananas, and cheesecake (are you drooling yet?!).
The flowers on our table are from Trader Joe’s – it’s pretty rare that I like their pre-made bouquets but they usually have lots of different options of flower bunches that you can mix and match to create your own bouquet. For these bouquets, I used pink and white ranunculus, small white roses, and some ornamental cabbage. I also mixed in a bundle of the tall, wispy greenery to add a more untamed feel to the bouquets – I’ve always preferred bouquets that look like they were picked out of a garden rather than perfectly formed ones.
And of course I’m not going to leave you guys without sharing my chocolate fondue recipe. Here’s the scary thing – it literally only takes three ingredients to make and a max of three minutes from start to finish. That’s downright dangerous, right?!
We came up with this super simple chocolate fondue recipe by experimenting over time (it’s for four people): Break up two 4.25 ounce Hershey’s Symphony bars (we like the ones with Almonds & Toffee Chips) and put them in a microwave-safe bowl. Pour six tablespoons of heavy whipping cream on top and microwave for 30 seconds. Once it comes out of the microwave, stir in a spoonful of peanut butter until the chocolate is fully melted and the peanut butter is blended in. Usually I’ll end up adding another tablespoon or two of whipping cream to get it to the perfect consistency but it’s best to start with less and add if needed. That’s it! Pour it in your fondue pot over a flame and you’re ready to feast!
What do you guys think? Want to come over? 🙂
Furniture: Trestle table (another similar options is {this table}) | Slipcovered chairs – thrifted ({these chairs} have a similar look) | Kitchen banquette – DIY (tutorial available {here})
Table Accessories: Table runner – DIY tutorial {here}; {this runner} is similar | Fondue pot, spinner, and plates – part of set received years ago (no longer available) {This fondue pot} and {this one} are both highly rated available options. | White heart bowls – HomeGoods | Chargers – thrifted but {these woven chargers} are very similar | Glass mugs | Red and white straws | Silverware
Millie Torres says
It all looks so appetizing, It’s lovely…Millie
http://frugaliciouschick.blogspot.com
Kris Jarrett says
Thank you so much Millie!
Tatiane says
Great way to celebrate Valentine’s Day with family. I will try your recipe sometime soon 😉
Beautiful flowers. Trader Joe’s has the best one with friendly price. Unfortunately I don’t have a store close to me.
Kris Jarrett says
That’s a bummer that you aren’t near a TJ’s – Costco has great flowers too!
Design Chic says
I am dying to be sitting at your table, Kris and enjoying fondue in the beautiful setting Love everything about your dining area and the fondue is a bonus! Happy Tuesday!
Kris Jarrett says
Thanks so much!
Lisa | Shine Your Light says
Your table looks beautiful Kris, and that fondue recipe sounds so yummy! What a fun tradition for your family, so cute!
Kris Jarrett says
Thank you Lisa! XOXO
Tamara says
Kris fondue is one of our all time favorites over here and I just love how you created such a beautiful table for you and your family to enjoy!! Your breakfast nook is so gorgeous!!!
Kris Jarrett says
You’re so sweet Tam – thank you!!
Bree says
Kris this is amazing!!! I love your recipe and can’t wait to try it! Once again it’s so fun being on this fun tour with you!!! Happy Valentine’s my friend!! Xoxo
Kris Jarrett says
Thanks Bree – same to you sweet friend!!
Garden, Home and Party says
What a fun way to welcome the holiday. I love the tablesetting. The flowers remind me that spring is coming.
xo,
Karen
Kris Jarrett says
Yes! Spring can’t get here fast enough! 🙂
Jenny says
What a lovely way to decorate the table for Valentine’s Day. Chocolate fondue is just divine! x
Kris Jarrett says
Agreed- it’s hard to go wrong with chocolate. Thanks Jenny!
[email protected] Antiques says
Kris, what a fun, beautiful idea! There is nothing like chocolate that says “celebrate” is there? Your table is gorgeous, thank you for this lovely inspiration!
Kris Jarrett says
Thank you so very much!
Taste of France says
We had fondue bourguignon (Burgundy-style fondue) twice over Christmas. That’s the kind with boiling oil and cubes of meat. I put up photos. You need an electric fondue pot for that.
Cheese fondue calls for good white wine–keeps the cheese soft and helps with digestion!
Kris Jarrett says
Yum! We’ve had the oil and meat at the melting pot but not at home (our old fondue pot couldn’t handle that!) – sounds delicious!!!
[email protected] says
What a sweet and festive table. Love the little heart bowls. Might need to check out our Home Goods.
Kris Jarrett says
Thanks Lauren! They were literally just putting some Valentine’s stuff on the shelves – so cute, right?!
DC says
Mind sharing where the runner, plates and lazy Susan are from?
Kris Jarrett says
Sure – the plates and lazy susan actually came as part of our fondue set (which unfortunately is no longer available). The runner is a DIY – you can find the tutorial here: https://www.drivenbydecor.com/2013/05/diy-macrame-fringe-table-runner.html
Annie says
Kris I enjoyed this post so much! What a wonderful tradition and my kids would love this so much, I may just have to do it for our celebration with them. Everything you do is creative and beautiful friend! xo
Kris Jarrett says
Thank you Annie! It was so fun doing this with you – LOVED your post as always!
Jennifer says
Well, you had me at chocolate fondue! Love the idea and you styled your treats beautifully! So fun Kris!!! xoxo
Kris Jarrett says
Thanks for stopping by and your sweet words Jen!!
Lory @ Designthusiasm says
What a wonderful and unique tradition, Kris! It’s something I would never think of, but I love that it’s become something special for your family. Your table is so pretty too! The florals are delightful and all of the details are just perfect for your evening… 🙂
Kris Jarrett says
Lory, thank you so much – you are so amazing to coordinate this whole thing and I’m honored to be part of it!
Janet - Shabbyfufu says
Such a pretty table and we love the Melting Pot too for special events. I’m snagging the fondue recipe since my husband grew up in Switzerland and I have his mom’s old fondue sets!
Kris Jarrett says
Oh wow – you definitely need to take advantage of having that!
Natasha says
I remember the melting pot. We have one in our local areal. I LOVE your presentation with the beautiful table setting and bringing the feeling of the melting pot to your home.
Kris Jarrett says
Thank you! Isn’t the Melting Pot the best?!
Danielle @ The Cheerful Home says
Love this tablescape so much! I can’t wait for the tutorial on your amazing banquette!!
Kris Jarrett says
Thank you Danielle!!
Summer Adams says
Kris!!! This is stunning and right up my alley because we love fondue! Love this! ☺????????????
Kris Jarrett says
Thank you so much Summer! XOXO
Boxon says
Beautiful dining table decor..very inspiring..added with chocolate fondue..can be an idea for valentine next year (hopefully)
Have a nice day .. thank you
Kris Jarrett says
Thank you! You can’t go wrong with chocolate! 🙂