This crockpot hot chocolate is rich and creamy thanks to a slow simmer in the slow cooker. Holiday guests will love enjoying a cup of this cozy hot cocoa all winter long!

Looking for more cozy beverage recipes? Try favorites like white hot chocolate, snickerdoodle hot chocolate and serve it with a hot chocolate charcuterie board.

Hot chocolate in a glass with marshmallows.

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Easy, Creamy Crock Pot Hot Chocolate

I love making homemade hot chocolate and my kids love drinking it. A cup of this crockpot hot chocolate is rich, chocolatey, thick, and creamy – the perfect reason to come in from the cold.

Typically I’ll make smaller batches on the stove using my homemade hot chocolate mix, but when serving a larger crowd, this slow cooker hot chocolate is the way to go. This from scratch recipe is luscious and velvety with the best sweet chocolate flavor from sweetened condensed milk and chocolate chips.

Recipe Ingredients

Chopped chocolate on cutting board.

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: Heavy whipping cream makes this easy crockpot hot chocolate recipe extra thick and creamy.
  • Sweetened condensed milk: 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.
  • Semi-sweet chocolate chips: If possible, try to find a high-quality chocolate chips for best taste. Chopped up chocolate bar can also be used.
  • Unsweetened cocoa powder: Add as much or as little as you need.
  • Vanilla extract: Just a teaspoon will combine all the flavors together.

How to Make Hot Chocolate in a Crockpot

Showing how to make crockpot hot chocolate in a 4 step collage.
  • 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.

Slow Cooker Hot Chocolate Tips and Variations

  • Set this easy crockpot hot chocolate on low rather than high heat. You don’t want the milk to boil or the chocolate to burn.
  • You can walk away from the crock pot hot chocolate, just be sure to whisk it a couple of times throughout the day or evening.
  • 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 or alternatively double it for a larger crowd!
  • Using chocolate chips or even shaved high-quality chocolate bar makes it easier for the chocolate to melt before the milk becomes too hot.
  • Swap the semi-sweet chocolate chips for milk chocolate chips, dark, or white chocolate chips. Bittersweet chocolate would add a slightly bitter flavor.
  • If you find the hot cocoa too sweet, add a bit more milk or water. About 1/2 a cup.
Hot chocolate in a crockpot.

Favorite Toppings for Crockpot Hot Chocolate

While whipped cream and marshmallows are classic, when I am entertaining at Christmas, New Years or winter birthday parties I love to set out a few more fun topping ideas.

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.

Hot chocolate in a crockpot with ladle.

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

ladle full of hot chocolate

Crockpot Hot Chocolate

5 from 29 votes
Recipe by: Jamielyn Nye
Prep Time: 5 minutes
Cook Time: 1 hour 30 minutes
Total Time: 1 hour 35 minutes
Servings: 18
This crockpot hot chocolate is rich and creamy thanks to a slow simmer in the slow cooker. Holiday guests will love enjoying a cup of this cozy hot cocoa all winter long!
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Video

Equipment

Ingredients 

Optional: Pinch of salt, pinch of cinnamon, mini marshmallows, crushed candy canes, whipped cream

Instructions

  • Combine in crock pot. Combine 6 cups milk, 1/2 pint heavy cream, 1 cup semi-sweet chocolate chips, 1/4 cup cocoa powder, 6 ounces sweetened condensed milk and 1 teaspoon vanilla in a slow cooker over low heat. I do not recommend cooking on high heat.
  • Slow cook on low. 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 warm setting and serve. 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.

Last step: Please leave a comment and rating after you make the recipe.

Notes

Variations:
  • 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

Serving: 1cup, Calories: 388kcal, Carbohydrates: 35g, Protein: 9g, Fat: 24g, Saturated Fat: 14g, Polyunsaturated Fat: 1g, Monounsaturated Fat: 7g, Trans Fat: 1g, Cholesterol: 48mg, Sodium: 100mg, Potassium: 483mg, Fiber: 3g, Sugar: 30g, Vitamin A: 694IU, Vitamin C: 1mg, Calcium: 268mg, Iron: 2mg

Nutrition provided is an estimate. It will vary based on specific ingredients used.

Recipe FAQs

What else can I add to hot chocolate?

Using this crock pot hot chocolate recipe as the base you can substitute the vanilla extract for peppermint extract to make a peppermint hot chocolate. A coconut extract will make it taste like your favorite candy bar! Sprinkle in some warm spices like cinnamon, cardamom or pumpkin pie spice. Stir in caramel or Nutella or even substitute eggnog for the milk!

Can you heat up the hot chocolate on the stove top?

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. You can also just continue to simmer it on the stove and serve from the pot.

How do you keep hot chocolate warm for a party?

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, although this is perfect recipe IMO because the slow cooker keeps it warm without constant worry about it burning!

How to store leftover hot chocolate?

Leftover hot chocolate can be kept refrigerated for up to 4 days. Reheat a single serving by adding hot chocolate to a mug and reheating it in the microwave in 30-second intervals. You can also reheat a few servings on the stovetop over medium-low heat until warmed through.