For this fondue recipe we’ve sweetened things up a bit and added in a touch of pure maple syrup. A little goes a long way in this Maple Cheese Fondue sure to please everyone at the table!
Maple Cheese Fondue
My daughter went on a Pathfinders trip to Quebec earlier this month. She was gone for 9 days and it was the longest and farthest she’s ever been from home. To celebrate her return we prepared a Maple Cheese Fondue using pure maple syrup she brought us from Quebec.
Sitting around the table with a fondue is a great way to get caught up on life, share stories and have some great conversations with those you care about.
Fondueing with a Crowd
We love our melted cheese nights and are always having friends over for fondue, some who have never even experienced it before. There are times we need to get two fondue pots on the table so we can have two cheese fondues as they always go fast.
It’s important to know what ingredients are required to ensure your cheese fondue is phenomenal.
Essential Fondue Ingredients
1) Wine, Beer, Citrus. A cheese fondue needs one of these ingredients to help balance the fat from the cheese. Each of these items on their own pairs nicely with a good cheese so these choices work well.
- Wine: choose a nice crisp white that is not over powering but still offers good flavour. My go to choices are a pinot grigio or sauvignon blanc which just so happen to be my regular go-to wines.
- Citrus: fresh lemon juice is your best bet although orange will offer a different experience depending on the cheese you use.
- Beer: your favourite lager or ale will do.
2) The cheese. A cheese fondue is not a cheese fondue, without the cheese. Any melting cheese will do although a blend of cheese offers much more flavour and bang for your buck as classic fondue cheese like Gruyere and Emmentaler can be expensive.
Maple Syrup in a fondue
The maple syrup will not make this fondue sweet. In fact it adds such a subtle hint of sweet that pairs perfectly with the cheese we’ve chosen and the whiskey in this fondue. It really works!
All our recipes are tried and true a few times over before we post. This way we can offer our best tips and tricks.
PRO TIPS:
- Turn the heat off your burner when you go to add your cheese or keep on the lowest setting. The residual heat will melt the cheese and prevent the cheese from breaking. Once incorporated pour into your fondue pot.
- A glazed ceramic fondue pot is the best pot to use for a cheese fondue. It distributes the heat evenly keeping the cheese the right temp and it’s built to last. Ours is pushing 20 + years.
- Prepare all your dippers in advance so they are ready to go when your fondue is ready.
- Ensure your pots, plates and forks are also ready to go.
- We use salami and pepperoni with a hint of spice as it pairs nicely with this mixture.
Preparing a cheese fondue is a lot easier than you think. With the right tools and ingredients, plus a little prep work you will be ready to get started fondueing in no time!
Are you a melted cheese fan?! Here’s a few of our favourite must try cheese fondues
If you made this recipe tag Wanda Baker on Instagram and hashtag it #bakersbeans or #wandabaker
Ingredients
- 12 oz Emmentaler cheese grated
- 8 oz Gruyere cheese grated
- 1 tbsp cornstarch
- 1 cup white wine
- 1/4 cup pure maple syrup
- 2 oz Whiskey or Bourbon
- nutmeg, grated
- fresh black pepper
- dippers listed below
Instructions
- In a bowl mix together cheese and cornstarch until well combined. Set aside
- Add wine, maple syrup and whiskey to a large pot. Bring to a simmer, reduce heat and let cook for 2-5 minutes.
- Turn off heat. Stir in 1/2 cup of the cheese mixture mixing until all combined. Continue adding cheese in 1/2 cup quantities until all cheese is mixed in.
- Transfer to heated fondue pot.
- Sprinkle on fresh nutmeg and freshly grated black pepper.
- Serve with your favourite dippers or the ones recommended below.
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