Cheese

The savory splendor of molten cheese is unmatched. Classic cheese fondue is a bubbly blend of swiss, emmenthal, and gruyere, blended with flour and broth for a smooth consistency. For extra flavor, you can also add aromatics such as garlic and nutmeg.

Recommended dippers: Cubes of bread, veggies and apples, even boiled potatoes

Oil or Stock

Fill the fondue pot with a simple, mildly flavored oil, such as vegetable or canola—about an inch or two, enough to cover whatever is plunged in to sizzle. For a healthier option, try broth—similar to a hot pot. It should be hot enough to cook the meat quickly. When you're doing oil fondue, it's customary to pair the meat with sauces, such as a simple steak sauce, horseradish cream, or garlic butter with lemon.

Recommended dippers: Cubes of potatoes (sweet or regular), sliced beef and chicken (beef cooks faster), shrimp, mini meatballs (which you can then dip in the cheese), veggies, especially mushrooms

Chocolate

This is really what you're doing fondue for, right? First add about 3/4 cup of heavy cream, then a cup and a half of dark or semisweet chocolate—either chips or chopped. Then, you can get creative: add a teaspoon of vanilla or almond extract, or even peppermint and cinnamon.

Recommended dippers: fruit (we like strawberries), chunks of cake, cheesecake bites, marshmallows, cookies—anything that can be securely speared

Fondue Etiquette

Don't eat with the fondue fork.

Each diner should have two forks. The fondue fork—which is thin with two short prongs at the end—is used strictly for dipping. This fork should never touch your lips; instead, use the second fork—a regular dinner fork—to slide the food onto your plate and into your mouth.

Don't double dip.

If your dinner is more casual, avoid double dipping by using your teeth only to slide the morsel of food from the fork and into your mouth—avoid touching the fork with your mouth

Don't throw out the leftovers.

When the fondue is over, savor that crusty cheese that forms at the bottom of the pot. Swiss families are known to fight over that delicacy.

Do swirl your fork.

When you dip into the cheese or chocolate, swirling your fork in figure eights keeps it fluid and prevents clumps.

Do twirl your fork.

To prevent getting chocolate or cheese on the tablecloth, twirl your fondue fork over the pot until it stops dripping.

Don't rest your fork in the pot.

Between dips, rest the fondue fork on your plate, much like a pair of chopsticks.

How to Fondue at Home

Who says you've gotta get all dressed up and leave the house to snack on some tasty fondue? Enter: the fondue pot. Once a staple of wedding registries, we think it's (fon)due for a comeback. We've got a few different setups we recommend so you can pick the right one for you:

Duraceramic 3-Quart Fondue Pot ($61)

Great for larger groups, grab a set of three (one for each dipper) and you can have a real party. Best of all, this plugs in for convenience and safety.

Special Fondue Set ($14.95)

For a smaller gathering, or just dessert, this fondue set is perfect.

Set of 2 Personal Fondue Mugs ($16.99)

Fondue for just two is much easier with these cute mugs.