Thanks for stopping by! Make sure to subscribe to my monthly newsletter for content not on my blog. And, don't forget to get my recipes in your inbox!
 |
I made this recipe for the first time for my birthday a few weeks ago. Usually I’d bake something but, honestly, I didn’t have time between grocery shopping, laundry, taking care of Nate, and yes, cooking my own birthday dinner.
Don’t get me wrong – Joe would have happily taken me to dinner. I decided, though, that it was easier and more comfortable to stay home. Nate eats dinner around 5:30 pm. We start putting him to bed by 6:30. And we don’t have a babysitter. Our families live out of state and we’ve never left him with anyone.
We have friends who have offered to watch him. And I’m sure someday we’ll take them up on it. But for now, we’re quite happy this way. (I am not alone in this, right?? How many of you didn’t use a babysitter when your kids were tiny?)
All of that to explain that this dairy-free fondue is so quick and easy you’ll be able to whip up dessert any old night. Trust me, this recipe is not just for Valentine’s Day.
Nuts.com sent me the cocoa butter. I love, love, love it. It makes a dairy-free, refined sugar-free chocolate that really tastes like chocolate. I got to know the folks at Nuts.com a little better when I was planning Nourished as they were one of our sponsors. I really like them. Honest Able.
Other Dairy-Free Chocolate Fondues (not necessarily refined sugar-free)
- Allergy-Friendly Chocolate Fondue from Cook IT Allergy-Free
- Easy Dairy-Free Chocolate Fondue from Food Your Way
- Dairy-Free Chocolate Fondue from Go Dairy Free
Are you rushing off to get your blender out? I hope so!
A rich, bittersweet chocolate fondue that is dairy-free. Make this simple dessert in your blender. This would also make a great ganache for a cake or cupcakes. Make this vegan by using agave nectar or coconut nectar.
Ingredients
- 2 ounces (56 grams) cocoa butter, roughly chopped
- 1/4 cup (50 grams) coconut oil, melted
- 1/4 cup (84 grams) honey
- 1/2 cup (46 grams) cocoa powder
- 1/4 cup (60 grams) unsweetened coconut milk (not canned; I used So Delicious)
- 15 - 30 drops liquid vanilla stevia, or to taste
Instructions
- Put the cocoa butter, coconut oil, honey, and cocoa powder in your blender. (I used my VitaMix.)
- Heat the coconut milk in the microwave until it's very hot but not boiling, about 45 seconds.
- Pour the hot milk over the other ingredients in the blender.
- Start on low and gradually increase the speed until the cocoa butter is fully melted and the fondue is smooth. Scrape down the blender if necessary.
- Taste and add stevia if desired. Mix to combine.
- Fondue will thicken as it cools. To speed up the process, put the fondue in the refrigerator.
Notes
This fondue has a deep, bittersweet chocolate flavor. If you prefer milk chocolate or a chocolate with more sweetness, use less cocoa powder and start with just two tablespoons of coconut milk. Adjust to taste.
|
Debbie
posted on February 13, 2013 at 11:33 am
ME! and when I did give into the pressure of others, I regretted it–even though I felt like I did my homework and was cautious. Thankfully all turned out okay.
[Reply]
Amy Reply:
February 13th, 2013 at 9:28 pm
@Debbie, Doing your homework is always KEY when it comes to your kids.
[Reply]
Heather
posted on February 13, 2013 at 11:47 am
This looks divine!! I am one of those who did leave my baby with a very reliable (she worked as a nanny) sitter. We were/are blessed to have very close friends at church that we trust. I didn’t do it as often with my second and he had a harder time with separation anxiety than my first. Most of my sitters were in college or older. I started using a teen, who eventually became close enough to consider family once they were toddlers. I am now helping my teen daughter learn to be a great babysitter. She has first aid training and will also be earning her American Red Cross babysitting certificate. I got one and feel that it’s important for anyone caring for young children be able to save their life in an emergency. Everyone is different, we just needed the time away to focus on us occasionally.
[Reply]
Amy Reply:
February 13th, 2013 at 9:27 pm
@Heather, Thanks for sharing your experience. I think at some point we need to find someone we can trust. We’re just not quite at that point.
You are so wonderful to help your daughter! Those are skills she’ll be able to use for the rest of her life. I baby sat as a kid and loved it.
[Reply]
Sarah
posted on February 13, 2013 at 12:15 pm
Happy belated birthday!
[Reply]
Amy Reply:
February 13th, 2013 at 9:24 pm
@Sarah, Thanks, Sarah!
[Reply]
Wendy
posted on February 13, 2013 at 12:36 pm
That looks yummy! I never left my kids when they were tiny – drove our family nuts as they all live close!
[Reply]
Amy Reply:
February 13th, 2013 at 9:24 pm
@Wendy, We have friends who would love to watch Nate…just not there yet.
[Reply]
Jani
posted on February 13, 2013 at 12:37 pm
I second you on not wanting a babysitter when your child is small. My daughter was with me 24/7 until she was 4 1/2. She is outgoing, very friendly and happy now at almost 8. She co slept, self weaned and I carried her everywhere I could until she was able to walk. NO REGRETS! The years before 5 last the rest of their lives.. and while everyone around me thought it was SUCH a sacrifice.. my opinion was and still is.. that I was the ULTIMATE lazy parent. I lived my life. Kid in tow. No biggie. No stress. Now wailing child, separation anxiety, worrying about getting home to feed her, worrying about finding reliabe, trustworthy people.. as all grandparents were deceased.
Each parent makes their own choices. That was mine. I’m not saying the child whos parents go back to work at 6 weeks is irreparably or even harmed.. or that the stay with parents all the time youngster is necessarily or even certainly better off. But it was a choice I made because I made other choices in life which many would consider “sacrifices”- NOT to have a newer car, NOT to have a mortgage, NOT to work outside of the home, NOT to eat out/buy convenience foods often, NOT to go on fancy vacations.. etc etc etc.
Its a choice. Parenting is never easy. It comes down to what people believe. I don’t think there is any one right or wrong way to parent.. as long as it is conscious parenting.. its all good.
Fondue looks YUMMY! Thanks
[Reply]
Amy Reply:
February 13th, 2013 at 9:23 pm
@Jani, I do think I need someone in the event of an emergency. But l love hearing your experience. It’s a very personal decision and Joe and I both feel that we want him with us. We have friends who vacation and leave their babies with the grandparents. We decided Nate will go with us when we travel or we won’t go. We find time for ourselves, too.
And, YES! to conscious parenting.
Hugs!!
[Reply]
Alta
posted on February 13, 2013 at 1:33 pm
This looks divine.
[Reply]
Amy Reply:
February 13th, 2013 at 9:20 pm
@Alta, Thanks, Alta!
[Reply]
Casandra Dean
posted on February 13, 2013 at 2:17 pm
It’s your first, understandable. But after he is a year, get a sitter! We have no family nearby and did not have a sitter until my third child, but she has been a god-send! We have had to call her to babysit for us for during some major emergencies. But since they know and love her, I have been able to focus on my husband’s health, not worry about the kids. You don’t want to have to trial-run someone during an emergency.
(And your husband will appreciate a little of your attention by then:)
[Reply]
Amy Reply:
February 13th, 2013 at 9:20 pm
@Casandra Dean, I agree that we need to make sure we have someone we’re all comfortable with in the event of an emergency. I actually tried someone last week who came to my house and watched him while I did things at home. It didn’t work. So, I’m back to the drawing board.
[Reply]
Sandtruck
posted on February 13, 2013 at 3:04 pm
Grandma to two and mom to twins here. We didn’t have a sitter either til they were probably three. But, I did have “babysitters” come in while we were home to get the kids used to other people. They started pre-school about the same time, but they needed to get used to the idea that I would not always be there. Made the separation anxiety a little bit easier I think. At any rate, I would leave the teenager with the girls while I went about my business in the house. They did not like it at first, but by the time we were ready for a sitter, they accepted it. I think getting into it gradually is preferable to an emergency situation where you have to leave him somewhere without a warning or advance preparation.
[Reply]
Amy Reply:
February 13th, 2013 at 9:17 pm
@Sandtruck, Such smart advice! I agree.
[Reply]
InTolerant Chef
posted on February 13, 2013 at 3:31 pm
Dessert sounds divine indeed! So nice and easy… and delicious
[Reply]
Maggie
posted on February 15, 2013 at 7:01 am
I’ve never worked with Cocoa Butter, I’m going to have to hop on that!
[Reply]
Carol
posted on February 16, 2013 at 7:21 am
I hope you had a lovely brithday! I am happy for you that you are able to spend as much time with your son as you can! Beautiful recipe!
[Reply]
Kacey Bostrom
posted on February 16, 2013 at 11:18 am
I support your decision to parent in a way that makes you and your family comfortable. You won’t regret it if you are living out love and not anxiety. I was blessed to have two wonderful young neighbor girls who, when the kids and I would be playing in the front yard, would sometimes come over and engage the kids. After a few months of this, they left me a flyer saying they were interested in being mothers helpers. I think they understood how attached I was/am to my kiddos and knew I wasn’t interested in a true baby sitter situation. Having seen how wonderfully the girls responded to my kids, that was a very nice transition which allowed me to get some laundry or gardening done while knowing my little ones were having a lovely playdate with some responsible young ladies. I pray that you are able to have a similar experience with your precious Nate.
That being said, I am pulling my cocoa butter out of the freezer to make some fondue! Thank you as always.
[Reply]
Devin @ Nom Yum & Free
posted on February 18, 2013 at 10:30 pm
Happy belated birthday Amy!! Your fondue looks amazing!!
We are right there with you. We don’t have any local family, and haven’t found anyone we trust to babysit our little ones. A couple months ago my husband had a work event and we left our kids with friends who have a son 3 weeks younger than our Baby Girl, but that’s about it. Our “big dates” are renting a movie and watching it once the kids fall asleep (unfortunately, most times my husband falls asleep on the movie).
When Baby Girl was born, we left our son that first night with our close friends – our church reverend, his wife, and son. I would love to find someone we trust as much who we could use more frequently, so we could go out again! But I agree, it’s tough – especially when your little one is too young to express his/her needs! Good luck!!
[Reply]
Alisa
posted on February 21, 2013 at 5:29 pm
Holy yum, this is so right up my alley Amy!
[Reply]
Tricia
posted on February 27, 2013 at 4:09 am
Amy, having recently gone gluten free, I’m delighted to have stumbled upon your site. I have the perfect French dessert fondue pot at home, just waiting for this delicious-looking recipe. Once my husband and I get back ‘home’ (we’re currently nomads in Croatia, without consistent kitchen access) I look forward to trying this and more of your recipes.
[Reply]
Tessa@tessadomesticdiva
posted on March 9, 2013 at 5:06 pm
I am oober picky about who watches my kids…the older they get, the easier it is though, at least for me!
I made this fondue today, truly amazing! The technique didn’t work completwly’ the cocoa butter needed to be softened first, it was stubborn! But the flavor of this is luxurious and silky, truly decadent! Thanks Amy!
[Reply]
Bridget Haag
posted on March 21, 2013 at 9:18 pm
I am allergic to coconut oil. What would be a good substitute?
[Reply]
Amy Reply:
March 25th, 2013 at 1:03 pm
@Bridget Haag, Good question…can you eat butter? Or maybe a mix of butter and non-hydrogenated vegetable shortening? It won’t be the same consistency so you might need more or less milk.
[Reply]
Anna@stuffedveggies
posted on March 29, 2013 at 11:03 pm
I’m totally with you on the “no sitter” thing! (And, this fondue looks WONDERFUL!)
I enjoy having my child around.
Twice I’ve had an emergency come up – both times we had good friends who were happy to entertain our little one while we took care of medical/family needs. God will send someone when and if you need.
You’re perfectly normal & healthy to want to spend your time with your family and not away from them : )
[Reply]
Amy Reply:
April 1st, 2013 at 8:16 pm
@Anna@stuffedveggies, I agree! God always does provide, doesn’t he? I also feel strongly that it’s important to take care of your kids yourself. I am grateful I can work from home and Nate doesn’t go to daycare.
Thanks for sharing your experiences with me!
[Reply]