Chocolate Fondue with Pound Cake

It is our family tradition to make chocolate fondue on Valentine's Day.  It is a tradition that has been easy to carry on gluten free. .

Chocolate Fondue

• 12 ounces good quality semi-sweet chocolate  (try Enjoy Life or Baker's)
• 2/3 cup heavy cream
• 2 tablespoons pure vanilla extract

Serve with bananas, strawberries and pound cake.  Ener-G sells a pound cake, 123 Gluten Free has a pound cake mix,  or you can make the recipe below.

Combine the chocolate and heavy cream in a medium heavy saucepan over medium-low heat. Stirring constantly, cook for about two minutes, or until melted and smooth. Add the vanilla.  Transfer to the fondue pot to keep warm.  Serve with sliced bananas, whole strawberries and pound cake cut into one inch squares.

Gluten Free Pound Cake

• 2 cups sugar

• 1 cup butter, melted

• 4 eggs

• 4 teaspoons vanilla

• 2 cups brown or white rice flour

• 2/3 cups potato starch

• 1/3 cup tapioca flour

• 1 teaspoon xanthan gum 

• 2 teaspoons gluten-free baking powder

• 1 cup milk

Heat oven to 350°F. Combine sugar and melted butter in large bowl. Beat at medium speed, scraping bowl often, until creamy. Add eggs, one at a time, beating well after each addition. Add vanilla; beat until well mixed.

Whisk together the flours, xanthan gum and baking powder in small bowl. Mix well until the different flours essentially become one new flour.  Gradually add flour mixture alternately with milk to butter mixture, beating at low speed until well mixed.

Pour batter into greased and floured 12-cup Bundt® pan. Bake for 50 to 60 minutes or until toothpick inserted in center comes out clean. Cool 10 minutes; remove from pan. 

This recipe was adapted from all places the Land O'Lake's website.  I have actually heard rave reviews about their recipes.

Gluten Free/Casein Free Chocolate Fondue

Here is our casein free version of chocolate fondue.  Okay, tofu and cocoa powder are not going to be as rich as chocolate and heavy cream.  But this satisfies the craving, it is a lot healthier and will leave you feeling a lot lighter than the real thing.

• 1 (12.3 ounce package) Mori Nu Silken Tofu

• 1 cup dairy free milk substitute (I prefer Almond Milk)

• 2/3 cup corn syrup

• 2/3 cup cocoa powder

• 1/4 cup granulated sugar

• ¼ cup brown sugar

• 1 T vanilla

• Ground nutmeg for garnish

Place tofu in food processor and process until smooth. Add almond milk and blend.

Heat corn syrup in microwave for 30 seconds. Add cocoa to syrup and blend with a whisk until smooth.

Add melted chocolate mixture to the tofu with the sugars and vanilla. Blend in the processor until smooth.

Add to the fondue pot and sprinkle with nutmeg. You may save time by warming the fondue before pouring it into the fondue pot.