The taste of this crockpot hot chocolate is unrivaled thanks to the rich ingredients and low and slow simmer. Your guests will love cozying up to a warm cup of creamy hot chocolate garnished with an epic array of toppings!
Slow Cooker Hot Chocolate
I love making homemade hot chocolate and my kids love drinking it. Who can blame them? It’s rich, chocolatey, thick, and creamy and the perfect reason to come in from the cold. Typically I’ll make smaller batches on the stove, but when I’m getting ready to serve a larger crowd, crockpot hot chocolate is the only way to go.
Slow cooker hot chocolate is done over low heat and kept warm for guests to be able to serve themselves. This recipe is a little extra velvety and has a sweet chocolate flavor because of the sweetened condensed milk and chocolate chips (as opposed to a cocoa powder). You’ll be amazed at how luscious it is!
Recipe Ingredients
Most these ingredients are basic in making homemade hot chocolate. Adding special ingredients like cream, milk, and high-quality chocolate do help and enhance the taste and texture of the warm drink. Melt together these ingredients to have a magical drink everyone loves!
Find the printable recipe with specific measurements below.
- Milk: The milk liquids combined together have an amazing flavor. Use either 2% or whole milk depending on how creamy you would like.
- Heavy cream: This will add the thickness and makes the hot chocolate very creamy.
- Sweetened condensed milk: Add in extra creaminess and sweetness with this can of milk.
- Semi-sweet chocolate chips: If possible, try to find a high-quality chocolate to help with the taste. Chop up your chocolate bar to help melt quicker in the crockpot.
- Unsweetened cocoa powder: Add as much or as little as you need.
- Vanilla extract: Just a teaspoon will combine all the flavors together.
Tips for the Best Crockpot Hot Chocolate
You can’t go wrong with this easy crockpot hot chocolate recipe. It is simple to make but always great ideas to help along the way. Here are a few helpful tips to get you the best hot chocolate mix yet!
- Cook on low rather than high heat. You don’t want the milk to boil or the chocolate to burn.
- You can let it be and walk away from the crock pot, but just be sure to whisk it a couple of times throughout.
- Adding a pinch of salt and cinnamon to add an extra boost of flavor is a great idea.
- Cut this recipe in half for a smaller crowd.
- Using chocolate chips (or even shaved chocolate) makes it easier for the chocolate to melt before the milk becomes too hot.
How to Make Hot Chocolate in a Crockpot
This simple hot chocolate recipe is so easy to make and comes together quickly and easily with just a few steps. Add the ingredients in the crockpot and watch the creamy chocolate mixture melt together. Let the slow cooker do all the work!
- Add ingredients. Combine the milk, cream, chocolate chips, cocoa powder, sweetened condensed milk and vanilla in a slow cooker over low heat. I do not recommend cooking on high heat.
- Cook and stir. Cook until the chocolate has melted, about 1 1/2 -2 hours. Stir a couple times during cooking. Add a pinch of salt and cinnamon if desired.
- Crockpot magic. Turn to the warm setting until ready to serve. Stir and then ladle into glasses.
- Serve and add toppings. Top with mini marshmallows or whipped cream if desired. Serve while warm.
Variations
Make your hot chocolate just the way you like it! Switch out the chocolate, make it creamy, or add in milk for more variety. The possibilities are endless!
- Sweetened condensed milk is milk in its concentrated form (water removed) and has sugar added to it. If you don’t have any, you can increase the amount of cream or whole milk and add some granulated sugar instead.
- Swap the semi-sweet chocolate milk for milk chocolate chips, dark, or white chocolate chips.
- If you have a good high-quality chocolate bar you’d rather use, grate some shavings in instead of the chips.
- If you find the hot cocoa too sweet, add a bit more milk or water. About 1/2 a cup.
- Try bittersweet chocolate for a slightly bitter flavor.
Party Tip
As the amount of hot chocolate in the crock pot lessens, it’ll be important to keep an eye on it so that your crockpot doesn’t get too hot so that it starts to burn the mixture. It’ll be easier to do with a smaller amount.
Favorite Toppings
If you’re setting up a hot chocolate charcuterie board, have an array of toppings like hot fudge and whipped cream, chocolate chips, etc., laid out and have everyone garnish their own mugs. Easy entertaining for Christmas, New Year, and winter birthday parties!
- Whipped cream
- Cinnamon
- Caramel sauce
- Sprinkles
- Chocolate chips
- Marshmallows
- Hot fudge
- Candy cane stir sticks
- Crushed peppermint candies
Recipe FAQs
You can always add in more cream, milk, and using a high-quality chocolate will help with flavor and taste.
Yes! This will add an extra step to the recipe but can be done. You can first heat up and melt the hot chocolate ingredients then pour it in the slow cooker to keep it warm.
Yes, that will also work too! It is very simple but it won’t have the flavor and texture that homemade hot chocolate has in it.
To keep hot chocolate warm for a party, place in a crockpot on warm setting. You can also keep in a pot on the stove and simmer.
Storing & Reheating
Make this crockpot hot chocolate ahead of time! This hot drink is quick and easy to store and reheat when needed. Get ready to add the whip cream and marshmallows for the best hot chocolate ever!
- Store: Leftover hot chocolate can be kept refrigerated for up to 4 days.
- Reheat: If only reheating a single serving, pour into a mug and microwave it for 30-second intervals. You can also reheat a few servings on the stovetop over medium-low heat until warmed through.
Are you looking for Christmas cookies to go along with your hot chocolate?! Try these classic gingerbread man cookies, green grinch cookies, and crinkle cookies.
More Festive Holiday Drinks
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Crockpot Hot Chocolate
Equipment
Ingredients
- 6 cups milk , 2% or whole
- ½ pint heavy cream
- 6 ounces sweetened condensed milk , 1/2 can
- 1 cup semi-sweet chocolate chips , or chopped chocolate
- ¼ cup unsweetened cocoa powder , more to taste
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
Optional: Pinch of salt, pinch of cinnamon, mini marshmallows, crushed candy canes, whipped cream
Instructions
- Combine the milk, cream, chocolate chips, cocoa powder, sweetened condensed milk and vanilla in a slow cooker over low heat. I do not recommend cooking on high heat.
- Cook until the chocolate has melted, about 1 1/2 -2 hours. Stir a couple times during cooking. Add a pinch of salt and cinnamon if desired.
- Turn to the warm setting until ready to serve. Stir and then ladle into glasses. Top with mini marshmallows or whipped cream if desired. Serve while warm.
Video
Notes
- You could also use milk, dark or white chocolate chips.
- If you find it too sweet, add an extra 1/2 cup milk or water.
- If you want a more bitter taste, try dark or bittersweet chocolate.
- For a smaller crowd, this recipe is easy to cut in half.
- For a super easy version just add milk and hot cocoa powder (follow amounts on container) and slow cooker for 2 hours.
Nutrition
Nutrition provided is an estimate. It will vary based on specific ingredients used.
Did you make this recipe? Don’t forget to give it a star rating below!
This is amazing!! Fun treat for the family on a snowy day 💗
Yes, exactly! I’m glad your fam enjoyed it :)
This is the perfect party drink! It is delicious and works great to have to hot and ready for the whole event. Awesome!
I’m so glad it was a hit!
This is going to be on repeat all winter long! So perfect for those cold days playing outside in the snow.
Yes exactly! Enjoy :)
This tasted so amazing! Thanks a lot for sharing this super easy to make chocolate recipe! Fam really loves it! Will surely have this again! Highly recommended!