Setting Up a Chocolate Fountain at a Baby Shower

A cascading fountain of melted chocolate makes a luxurious centerpiece for the food table at a baby shower. It fits in with any baby shower theme, but is especially good for a baby shower focused on pampering the expectant mother. When you have a chocolate fountain, plan ahead to get the dipping ingredients and table ready and prepare the chocolate fondue just before guests arrive so it will still be warm and smooth for dipping.

Things You'll Need

• Tablecloth
• Serving platters
• Dipping ingredients
• Plastic fondue forks or dinner forks
• Plates
• Napkins
• Semisweet chocolate chips
• Vegetable oil
• Microwave-safe bowl
• Oven mitts
• Spoon

Instructions

1. Put a pink or blue tablecloth on the dessert table and place the empty chocolate fountain in the center of the table.

2. Arrange a few serving platters around the fountain. Fill them with your dipping ingredients. Tailor some of the ingredients to the gender of the baby. For example, use pink or blue colored marshmallows, strawberries or blueberries and pink apple slices or green apple slices. Also include basic fondue dipping ingredients, such as banana slices, pineapple chunks, animal crackers, pretzels, biscotti, graham crackers and crisped rice treats.

3. Set disposable fondue forks or plastic forks in a few locations around the fondue fountain. Put plates and napkins at both ends of the table as well.

4. Put semisweet chocolate chips and 2 tablespoons of vegetable oil per pound of chocolate in a microwave-safe bowl. The amount of chocolate to use depends on the size of your fountain. Stay within the minimum and maximum range in the manufacturer's instructions.

5. Microwave the chocolate on high power for two minutes, take the bowl out with oven mitts and stir the chocolate. If the chocolate isn't yet melted smooth, return it to the microwave for another minute at a time, stirring after each minute, until it's melted.

6. Mix in any additional flavorings you would like to add. Flavorings must be smooth so they don't clog the fountain. Ideas include vanilla extract, almond extract, orange extract or heavy cream.

7. Preheat the chocolate fountain by turning it on for three to five minutes. After it's preheated, pour the melted chocolate into the base of the fountain and turn on the fountain.

Tips & Warnings

• Start preparing the chocolate about 20 minutes before you expect the first guest to arrive. This will ensure that it's fresh and ready when the guests arrive.