Crock Pot Hot Chocolate
This crock pot hot chocolate is the ultimate rich and creamy cocoa. It’s super easy to make, only needs 6 simple ingredients, and the slow cooker handles the work.
If you’re looking for the perfect decadent hot chocolate recipe, look no further! It’s an easy and comforting drink on Christmas Eve, Christmas Morning, or any cold winter day! Plus, this is the best way to make hot chocolate for a crowd! This is the best hot cocoa to use for a DIY Hot Chocolate Bar.
This recipe should be made in a 2 or 3 quart slow cooker. If you use a large slow cooker, you need to double the batch. Filling the crock pot less than half full will increase the likelihood of scorching.
Ingredients
- Heavy Cream
- Whole Milk
- Cocoa Powder
- Milk Chocolate Chips
- Salt
- Vanilla
This is a rich and decadent hot chocolate! I do not recommend making any substitutions to this recipe. Use full-fat dairy to make this hot chocolate rich and creamy. You need to use milk chocolate chips to add sweetness. Since there is no extra sugar, using other types of chocolate chips results in bitter hot chocolate.
Slow Cooker Hot Chocolate Toppings
This hot chocolate is perfectly chocolatey, rich, and creamy as is. But who doesn’t love toppings on their hot cocoa?!
- Whipped Cream (homemade or from a can)
- Mini Marshmallows
- Chocolate Chips or White Chocolate Chips
- Chocolate Shavings
- Peppermint sticks for stirring
- Chocolate or Caramel Sauce
- Sharp Cheddar. This sounds bizarre if you’ve never had it, but it’s so decadent. I once worked with a chef named José. He absolutely insisted that we all try it. Drop a cube of sharp cheddar in the bottom of the cup and let it warm while you sip the hot chocolate. When you’re done drinking the cocoa, there will be an ooey-gooey chunk of cheese at the bottom to eat. Don’t knock it till you try it!
Spiked Hot Chocolate
If you want to spike the hot chocolate, I recommend doing so after it has cooked!
Try providing liquor or liqueur for adults to add to their cups instead of spiking the entire batch. Leave the pot un-spiked and add it to each cup to cater to individual preferences and keep the hot cocoa kid-friendly.
If you want to spike the batch, add ¾ cup of your choice of alcohol directly to the crock pot just before serving.
If you choose to spike the hot chocolate, I recommend Kahlua, Peanut Butter Whiskey, Bourbon, or Dark Rum.
Christmas Eve Hot Chocolate
This easy crockpot hot chocolate is the perfect Christmas Eve hot chocolate! Make it on Christmas Eve or Christmas Morning, and let the slow cooker do the work for you. Less time cooking means more time enjoying the holiday!
Hot Chocolate for a Crowd
This crock pot hot chocolate is the best way to make hot chocolate for a crowd! The recipe makes about 7 cups of hot cocoa and will fit in a 2 or 3-quart slow cooker. You can easily double or triple this recipe. You’ll need a large slow cooker to make enough hot chocolate for a crowd!
A 6 or 7-quart crock pot will hold a triple batch of this. You can use the 2x or 3x button in the recipe card to calculate for you! If you’re making hot cocoa for a crowd, check out my guide for Hot Cocoa Bar Ideas. I’ll show you how to set up everything your crew will need!
If you have 2 crockpots, make slow cooker mulled wine as a second option!
How to Make Crock Pot Hot Chocolate
Add the heavy cream, cocoa powder, and salt to the slow cooker and whisk until smooth. This is the easiest way to mix in the cocoa powder. Stop whisking before you make whipped cream. 🙂
Then, add the whole milk and milk chocolate chips and give it another quick whisk.
Now, cook it in a crock pot on low for 2 hours.
After it is done cooking, add the vanilla extract. Then, whisk until smooth.
Ladle into mugs and add your favorite toppings! Or, keep it plugged in and set up a cocoa bar!
Storing and Reheating Hot Chocolate
Store leftover hot chocolate in the fridge for up to 3 days. Reheat in a microwave-safe mug until hot. Stir and enjoy.
Hot Chocolate Bar Ideas
Check out my guide for setting up an epic hot chocolate station with this crockpot hot cocoa!
Did you make this crock pot hot chocolate? Let me know in the comments!
Get the Recipe
PrintCrock Pot Hot Chocolate
This rich and creamy crock pot hot chocolate is easy to make in a slow cooker with 6 ingredients. Make this special cocoa on Christmas Eve or Christmas Morning. Or, make a big batch of hot chocolate for a crowd!
- Prep Time: 7 minutes
- Cook Time: 2 hours
- Total Time: 2 hours 7 minutes
- Yield: 7 cups 1x
- Category: Drink
- Method: Slow Cook
- Cuisine: American
Ingredients
- 4 cups whole milk
- 2 cups heavy cream
- 2 tablespoons cocoa powder
- 1/8 teaspoon salt
- 1 cup milk chocolate chips
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
Instructions
- Add the heavy cream, cocoa powder, and salt to a 2 or 3 quart slow cooker and whisk until combined.
- Whisk in the milk and milk chocolate chips. The chocolate chips will melt as they cook.
- Cook on low for 2 hours.
- Add the vanilla and whisk until smooth.
Serve with your favorite toppings.
Notes
Keep on the low or warm setting for up to 2 hours. Stir every 30 minutes to keep it from forming a film or scorching.
If you use a large slow cooker, you need to double the batch. Filling the crock pot less than half full will increase the likelihood of scorching.
Use a larger slow cooker to make a double or triple batch. A 4-quart crock pot will hold a double recipe. A 6 or 7-quart crock pot is big enough to fit a triple recipe.
Store leftover hot chocolate in the fridge for up to 3 days. Reheat in a microwave-safe mug until hot. Stir and enjoy.
Use this recipe to create a hot chocolate station.
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 cup
- Calories: 335
- Sugar: 20.5 g
- Sodium: 130 mg
- Fat: 24.2 g
- Carbohydrates: 22.8 g
- Fiber: 1.3 g
- Protein: 7.5 g
- Cholesterol: 58.2 mg
