National Chocolate Covered Anything Day

If you’re anything like me, chocolate is, arguably, one of your best friends.  It’s the ultimate comfort food.  When the holiday season rolls around, we’re all looking for something decadent, and this healthier twist on chocolate fondue fits the bill.

READY IN: 25 min
SERVES: 4 (3 tablespoons fondue per serving)

INGREDIENTS
½ cup unsweetened cocoa powder
⅓ cup sugar
½ cup nonfat evaporated milk
1 teaspoon vanilla extract
2 ounces dark chocolate (60-70% cocoa solids), finely chopped

DIRECTIONS
In a medium saucepan, whisk together the cocoa powder and sugar.
Gradually pour in the evaporated milk and whisk well to make a paste.
Place the saucepan over low heat and cook, stirring constantly, until simmering.
Remove from the heat and whisk in the vanilla and chocolate and stir until the chocolate is melted.  The mixture will thicken as it cools slightly.
Transfer chocolate to a fondue pot, and keep warm.
Serve with fruit, nuts, pretzels, or your other favorites for dipping.

While you can dip just about anything into chocolate fondue, here are a few healthier options:

• Fruit: pineapple, strawberries, kiwi, apples, pears, raspberries, orange slices, and bananas are some of my favorites.  And they don’t need to be fresh–you can use dried or even frozen fruit.
• Whole grains: from whole grain pretzels to popcorn there are several yummy whole grain options to try in your chocolate fondue.
• Nuts: these may be a little trickier to dip in a fondue pot, but they’re protein-packed and taste amazing with a little chocolate drizzled over them.  

This National Chocolate Covered Anything Day, you can have your chocolate and eat it too!  

Recipe adapted from Ellie Krieger: http://www.foodnetwork.com/recipes/ellie-krieger/chocolate-fondue-recipe-1937681