Feed your hungry party crowd some fun game day snacks including a decadently rich Chocolate Dip Football served with pretzel twists. This creamy dip made with a blend of milk and dark chocolate is easy to make and decorate and will add a festive touch to the food table at your football-themed party.
Chocolate Dip Football
It's football season again and that means hosting guests to watch the game and needing lots of snacks to feed all those hungry fans. Whenever I host a party I like to have at least one really festive dessert or appetizer on the table. Even just one treat like this Chocolate Dip Football can really wow your party guests.
This dip is super easy to make using milk and dark chocolate, heavy whipping cream, and a bit of vanilla. It's so amazingly good that your guests will never know it took you minutes to make. If you serve the chocolate dip in a small football-shaped bowl you can decorate it with white laces and stripes to look like the real deal.
Go ahead and dip!
Don't you just want to reach into the screen to enjoy some of that creamy chocolate dip?
You can serve the dip with salty pretzel twists, marshmallows, fruit, Rice Krispie Treats, or cookies. I love the combination of salty and sweet so I chose to use pretzels.
What kind of chocolate should I use to make this chocolate dip?
- Use pure milk chocolate and pure dark chocolate (with cocoa butter in the ingredients).
- By blending the two chocolates together you get a nice football-colored chocolate dip with a decadently rich flavor.
- To keep the color from getting too dark, use 8 ounces of milk chocolate and 2 ounces of dark chocolate.
- If the milk chocolate you are using is rather dark in color, skip adding any dark chocolate.
Do I have to use Heavy Whipping Cream to make this chocolate dip?
- Heavy whipping cream will give you the creamiest chocolate dip but you can use substitutes if you need to.
- Try using half and half or cashew, almond, or soy milk.
- Use chocolate cashew or chocolate almond milk for an extra chocolatey flavored dip.
- Reduce the liquid to ½ cup if using half and half or a plant-based milk.
- If you can't have milk at all you'll need to use dark chocolate to make the dip, which is fine, it will just be a bit darker in color.
What kind of vanilla do you use to make this creamy chocolate ganache?
- I prefer to use vanilla bean paste because it is thick and creamy, has speckles of real vanilla bean, and tastes great.
- Pure vanilla extract can be used too.
- Do not use imitation vanilla extract. If that is all you have, just skip the vanilla altogether.
How to Make Chocolate Dip
In the microwave:
- Heat heavy whipping cream in the microwave on high power for approximately 1 ½ minutes just until tiny bubbles begin to form around the edges of your cup or bowl.
- Pour over finely chopped milk and dark chocolate (or use chips).
- Let rest in the bowl for 3 minutes then begin whisking slowly in the center of the bowl to bring an emulsion.
- As the center begins to look darker, begin whisking in a larger circle.
- Whisk until the cream and chocolate are fully blended.
- You can use an immersion blender in place of the whisk.
On the stove:
- Heat the heavy whipping cream in a small saucepan set over medium heat until small bubbles begin to form around the edge of the pan.
- Pour over the chocolate and follow the process listed above.
DO NOT allow your heavy whipping cream to come to a full boil. If it does, add a tablespoon of cold cream to it to cool it down before pouring it over the chocolate.
How do I make the chocolate dip look like a football?
- Pour the warm chocolate dip into a football-shaped bowl.
- Allow the dip to cool for about 10 minutes before adding the decoration.
- Use one of the following to pipe the laces and stripes onto the chocolate dip football:
- vanilla frosting (from a tub is fine)
- whipped topping or homemade whipped cream
- If using homemade, be sure to decorate the football just before your guests arrive.
- Vanilla or plain Greek yogurt
- sour cream
- Spoon about a tablespoon of any of the above into a small zip-top bag.
- Snip the tip off the bag and pipe the laces and stripes over the chocolate dip.
To make the dip look even more festive, display it on a football field tablecloth surrounded by football-shaped bowls and plates. Serve other savory and sweet snacks too. You can see all of my game-day snack recipes, here.
More game day dessert recipes:
- Chocolate Popcorn Bowl Football
- Football Cupcakes with edible chocolate wrappers
- Football Hot Chocolate Bombs
- Chocolate Caramel Fudge Footballs
- Chocolate Game Day Chalkboard
- Yard Line Oreos
Printable Recipe
Chocolate ganache made using a blend of milk and dark chocolate makes a rich and creamy dip that can be decorated to look like a football for your game day party.
- 8 ounces milk chocolate, finely chopped or chips
- 2 ounces semi-sweet chocolate, finely chopped or chips
- ⅔ cup heavy whipping cream
- 1 teaspoon vanilla bean paste or pure vanilla extract
- 1 tablespoon vanilla frosting, whipped topping, sour cream, or Greek yogurt
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Pour the chopped chocolate into a mixing bowl or large glass measuring cup.
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Heat heavy whipping cream either in the microwave or on the stove, just until the cream forms small bubbles around the edge of the bowl or pan. (Do not bring to a boil.)
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Pour over chocolate and let the bowl sit for 3 minutes.
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Whisk, starting in the center of the bowl and moving out towards the edge of the bowl, until smooth and creamy.
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Stir in the vanilla.
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Pour into a football-shaped bowl and let cool for 10 minutes.
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Spoon vanilla frosting, whipped topping, sour cream, or Greek yogurt into a small zip-top bag and snip off the tip of the bag.
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Pipe on some football laces and stripes to make the dip look like a football.
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Serve.
- The dip will thicken as it cools so if you make it earlier in the day before your party, reheat it on low power in the microwave for about 20 seconds, then pour it into the football-shaped bowl and decorate.
- Store any remaining dip at room temperature for up to 5 days or in the refrigerator for up to 2 weeks.
This recipe was originally published on September 9, 2018.
If you are hosting a football game-watching party you might also like to add some of these other fun football-themed snacks or desserts to your food table.
- Irresistible Sweets with Dixie Crystals® - July 13, 2024
- How to make peanut butter? - February 15, 2024
- OREO Penguins - December 20, 2023
ColleenB.~Tx. says
Everything looks Wonderful.
I'm coming to your house on Super Bowl Day., :-}
Speaking of football; I was in getting my haircut on Sat. morning when I overheard a lady saying that she and her husband bought tickets to a playoff game. Would you believe that it cost them over $7 thousand dollars for nose-bleed seats along with yet another $350.00 for parking fee. Now, if they wanted something to eat or drink; more $$$$$.
I thought to myself; 'dang, you would have a much better seat watching the game from home.'
Beth says
Thanks, Colleen! I'd much rather stay home and watch the game and enjoy my own yummy snacks than spend that kind of money to sit in the stadium. That is truly crazy!
yahoo mail login says
What a cute idea!! Thank you for sharing!!
Mickey H. says
How cute! Perfect for watching a college game (or two)! Chocolate and pretzels are one of my favorites!
Beth says
Mine too and this dip is such a fun way to enjoy that flavor combination. 🙂
The Partiologist says
Now this is a way to make game day even sweeter!
Beth says
It's always fun to make game day sweeter!