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Originally aired as part of the “Fairy Princess Party” episode (Episode SH0810H) on the Food Network, July, 14th, 2007. Ingredients: • 2 (16-ounce) cans creamy white frosting (recommended: Betty Crocker) • 2 drops red food coloring • 1/4 teaspoon raspberry extract • 4 drops yellow food coloring • 1/4 teaspoon lemon extract • 4 drops green food coloring • 1/4 teaspoon mint extract • 1/4 teaspoon almond extract • 1 dozen unfrosted vanilla cupcakes • 1 dozen unfrosted cupcakes, chocolate and or vanilla • Edible and candy flowers, for decoration • Candy rainbow sprinkles, for decoration Divide frosting into 4 small bowls. Add coloring and extract as listed below: Directions: red with raspberry, yellow with lemon, green with mint, and white with almond. Stir each thoroughly. Place frosting into zip-top bags, then make a small snip at corner, or use a pastry bag. Frost cupcakes and decorate with candy flowers and rainbow sprinkles.

When you own a fondue set, you have the appliance that opens the door to lots of creative party and family meal food. You may have thought that fondue was just for chocolate or cheese (I did too) but then I learned that there are hundreds of creative ways to use a fondue set for appetizers, main courses (yes, main courses!) and desserts.

All you need is the right cookbook and you’ll learn all kinds of ways to spice up party food and even family meals.

Chocolate and cheese will always continue to be a favorite for fondue too, of course. Some of the common choices for food to dip in chocolate are banana slices, pineapple squares, cherries, strawberries, marshmallows or biscotti. But, of course, so many foods taste good with melted chocolate.

Favorites for dipping in melted cheese are fresh vegetables like mushrooms, carrots and cauliflower, fruit slices such as apples, bread cubes and meat squares like sausage, salami or chicken. There are various choices for the type of cheese that you might use. Some of the most common are parmesan, cheddar, colby, monterey jack, provolone or mozzarella cheese. If you, your guests or family like a little chili-pepper bite in your cheese, you could melt jalapeno pepper cheese for the fondue. 

Fondue sets are traditionally used for keeping a sauce or dip warm, in which the fruits, vegetables or meats are dipped. There are fondue sets that heat with a small tealight candle below it and there are also electric models.

Fondue is back in style!

With the right cookbook, you can go way beyond the traditional fondue uses and enjoy many new recipes and meals made with the use of your fondue set.

If you have a fondue set that’s been sitting in a cupboard, rarely used, get it out and have yourself a fondue adventure by trying out one of the modern fondue recipes. You’ll be glad you did.