Imperial Cider Fondue Recipe

Want a traditional holiday meal that’s simple, festive and delicious? Fondue is the perfect fit. Originally created as a way to stretch wintertime resources in rural Swiss villages, the simple combo of hunks of bread,  melty cheese, and a splash of wine, cider or brandy have evolved into the ultimate holiday comfort food.

There’s just something about the vibe of gathering around a fondue pot with family and friends to share the cheesy dip. Fondue isn’t just a meal, it’s an event! And there are loads of potential vehicles for the dipping. In addition to bread cubes, you could dip thick sausage slices, pickled vegetables, potatoes, mushrooms, broccoli… Basically, anything you like to eat with cheese. The traditional long fondue forks are ideally suited for dipping, but we’ve found that simple wooden skewers also work well. 

You can find our own cider fondue at any of our three Portland Cider locations, but if you’d like to make your own, this is a great home-sized recipe that’s simple to prepare and fun to eat. 

Prep Time: 10 minutes | Cook Time: 10 minutes

Imperial Cider Fondue

INGREDIENTS:

  • 1 garlic clove, minced

  • 12 ounces Imperial Dry cider

  • 6 ounces Gruyère, shredded

  • 8 ounces fontina, shredded

  • 6 ounces sharp cheddar, shredded - Trader Joe’s Unexpected Cheddar is our go-to!

  • 3 tablespoons cornstarch

  • 1/2 teaspoon pumpkin spice seasoning (or nutmeg)

  • Kosher salt and freshly ground black pepper

  • 1/4 cup heavy whipping cream (optional)

  • Items for dipping! We recommend chicken apple sausage, crusty bread, and apple slices.

INSTRUCTIONS:

  1. Add a small drizzle of extra-virgin olive oil to your large saucepan or fondue pot. Add minced garlic and stir until fragrant, then pour in one can of Imperial Dry cider (12oz). Bring to a boil over high heat (keep in mind fondue pots warm very quickly!). Reduce the heat and let the cider simmer for 5 minutes.

  2. Toss your shredded cheese with the cornstarch until all the cheese is coated.

  3. One handful at a time, slowly whisk the cheese into the cider. Make sure your cheese melts completely and the fondue is smooth before adding more. This takes 5-8 minutes.

  4. Stir in your seasoning. If your fondue still feels too thick, add your heavy whipping cream and continue to stir until the consistency is smooth.

  5. Serve with your favorite dipping delights! Again, we recommend chicken apple sausage, crusty bread, and apple slices, but some other excellent choices are boiled baby potatoes, roasted vegetables, and prosciutto.

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