Crockpot Hot Chocolate
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Crockpot Hot Chocolate is extra creamy and makes plenty of servings for holiday entertaining. Try this recipe for delicious and easy crockpot hot chocolate, then customize it with all of your favorite cocoa toppings!
Crockpot Hot Chocolate
Cozy up with a warm mug of this incredible cocoa — you’ll never go back to instant packets again!
This crockpot hot chocolate recipe makes enough for the whole family whether you want an afternoon treat or you’re filling mugs on your way out the door.
It’s perfect for parties too! Simply mix everything together and let the crockpot do the rest.
Looking for more wintertime drink recipes? You’ll love Wassail, a spiced apple cider drink that can also be prepared in the crockpot.
We also have a fabulous Italian hot chocolate that is sure to warm you up!
And if you’re feeling crafty, try your hand at the trendy cocoa bombs that melt right in your mug.
Ingredient Notes and Substitutions
- Chocolate Chips and Cocoa Powder – You’ll need both to get the right flavor and consistency.
Use semi-sweet chips and unsweetened cocoa so your slow cooker hot chocolate isn’t overly sweet. - Sugar – Stick with regular granulated sugar or extra-fine (labeled baker’s sugar) if you can find it. The finer the grain, the easier it will be to dissolve.
- Vanilla Extract – A little goes a long way to add some warmth to hot chocolate in the slow cooker.
You can also swap this for another extract to change up the flavor! - Heavy Cream and Whole Milk – The bulk of this drink is made with milk, with the heavy cream helping to thicken the silky mixture.
More fat means a richer beverage, so feel free to make adjustments as you would like.
Tips for Making Hot Chocolate in Slow Cooker
- Use quality ingredients.
While store brands will still be tasty, there’s a noticeable difference in flavor when using more gourmet varieties of cocoa and baking chips for this crockpot hot chocolate recipe.
- Whisk it first.
Get as much of the cocoa and sugar dissolved in the liquid as you can before adding in the semi-sweet chips.
- Too rich?
This is a very creamy hot chocolate recipe, but you can easily replace some of the heavy cream with more milk or use reduced-fat milk entirely.
However, do not try to thin slow cooker hot chocolate with water. It can cause the ingredients to separate and really affects the flavor.
- Make a double batch.
As long as your crockpot is large enough, feel free to increase the ingredients as needed.
Slow Cooker Hot Chocolate Topping Ideas
If you’re hosting a get-together, set up a cocoa bar and let guests come up with their own concoctions!
Set out bowls filled with extra marshmallows, crushed peppermint candies, and crumbled cookies to sprinkle on top.
Cinnamon sticks, pumpkin pie spice, and chai mix would also be delicious.
Add containers of store-bought or homemade whipped cream and caramel sauce.
You could even have some flavored liqueurs handy such as Baileys, Kahlua, or Frangelico if the adults want to spike their crockpot hot chocolate!
Kitchen Tools You Will Need
- Slow Cooker – Great for soups, roasts, shredded chicken, and more! I love it in the cooler months, but it’s also great in the summer when you don’t want to heat up the whole house with the oven.
- Ladle – A must for dishing up this easy crockpot hot chocolate!
- Measuring Cups and Spoons – You may be tempted to eyeball the amounts, but I recommend using the proper tools so it comes out just right.
Crockpot Hot Chocolate Recipe FAQ
Transfer any remaining beverage to a sealed container and refrigerate for 3 to 4 days. Reheat in the microwave or on the stove.
Yes, but it may develop a film over the top. Just give crockpot hot chocolate a good stir and still add the marshmallows just before serving. Or, add them to individual mugs instead.
For the drink itself, you can vary the amount of sugar and the types of cocoa and baking chips to your preference. A typical ratio is one part unsweetened cocoa to two parts sugar.
Swap the semi-sweet with milk chocolate chips for a milder flavor or use dark for something richer. You can also substitute some white chips for a “black and white” version of this crockpot hot chocolate!
Enjoy!
With love, from our simple kitchen to yours.
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Other Festive Non-Alcoholic Drink Recipes
Crockpot Hot Chocolate
Ingredients
- 1 1/2 cups semi-sweet chocolate chips
- 1/4 cup unsweetened cocoa powder
- 1/2 cup granulated sugar
- 1 tablespoon vanilla extract
- 1 cup heavy cream
- 6 cups whole milk
- 2 cups mini marshmallows, for garnish
Instructions
- Combine all ingredients except marshmallows in a slow cooker and stir to combine.
- Cook, covered, until everything is melted, stirring occasionally, 2 hours on LOW.
- Ten minutes before serving, add marshmallows and let them get melty.
- Garnish with more mini marshmallows, and additional toppings crushed peppermint, chocolate shavings, chocolate syrup, whipped cream, caramel sauce, etc
Nutrition
All nutritional information is based on third party calculations and is only an estimate. Each recipe’s nutritional value will vary depending on the ingredients used, measuring methods, and portion sizes.
Originally published October 2021, updated and republished November 2023
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I’m so going to make this for christmas eve, and probably many more times! This tasted so much better than the packaged hot chocolate.