Crockpot Hot Chocolate Recipe

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There’s nothing worse than trying to make individual cups of hot chocolate by heating up water or milk and making the packets for each person. That’s where this crockpot hot chocolate recipe comes in- it’s perfect for a crowd and super easy to make.

About This Crockpot Hot Chocolate Recipe

When Little Sister was 4, she loved (and I mean LOVED) hot chocolate. For the Christmas party, she volunteered to take hot chocolate for the whole class.

I wasn’t sure exactly what time the party was going to be, and I wanted to make sure there was enough hot chocolate for all the kids and any adults that might attend the party.

I wanted a rich and creamy texture, and something that would stay warm from the time of dropoff to the time of the party.

Thus, this crockpot hot chocolate recipe was born.

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• Costa Rican Tres Leches Recipe
• Totally Addicting Christmas Crack Recipe
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• Easy No Bake Caramel Marshmallow Krispie Treats

Kitchen Tools For Making Crock Pot Hot Chocolate

So obviously you are here because this homemade hot cocoa recipe is easiest to make in the crockpot. I use a slow cooker that is deeper than it is wide, basically because it is easier to ladle out the hot chocolate once it’s ready.

You can totally make this on the stove in a stockpot, but you have to be pretty vigilant about watching it so that the chocolate doesn’t burn. 

Finally, you can also make this in the Instant Pot– either on the slow cooker setting with the instruction below or- don’t tell anyone- you can pressure cook it for 3 minutes and then leave it on warm as long as you want. 

My personal choice is to slow-cook the crockpot hot chocolate recipe and stir occasionally because I think the flavors blend together really well. But honestly, at the end of the day, it’s a very negligible difference.

Hot Cocoa Recipe Ingredient Substitutions

So this recipe is clearly not sugar-free, dairy-free, or super high on the healthy spectrum. A few ideas:

• Substitute almond milk for regular milk
• Substitute evaporated milk for the heavy  cream
• Substitute semi sweet chocolate chips or chopped chocolate bars for the milk chocolate chips- the recipe won’t be as sweet
• You could limit the sweetened condensed milk entirely, but the hot chocolate won’t be as thick

How To Serve Slow Cooker Hot Chocolate

My favorite part is serving this! Especially because it isn’t super hot, so you can drink it right away. Try the following:

• Top with mini marshmallows
• Top with whipped cream from a can and add a little chocolate chip on top
• Shred or crush some chocolate chips and float them on top
• Hook a candy cane through the mug
• Add a shot of peppermint schnapps for a fun peppermint hot chocolate
• Some people add a pinch of salt!

Crockpot Hot Chocolate Recipe

Ingredients

(Printable Recipe Below) 

• heavy whipping cream
• sweetened condensed milk
• milk
• vanilla extract
• The BEST chocolate chips on the planet

Notes:

I don’t recommend using cocoa powder for this recipe- I think the chocolate chips are a make-or-break ingredient as far as flavor and texture.

Finally, I doubled the recipe and it was equally delicious.

Instructions

• In your crockpot, combine whipping cream, milk, vanilla, and chocolate chips. Use at least a 5 quart crockpot/slow cooker. This recipe doubles nicely, but you will need a 6-7 quart slow cooker.
• Cover and cook on low for two hours or high for one hour. Stir occasionally with a whisk, until the chocolate chips melt and the ingredients are liquified.
• Once the hot cocoa is heated and melted, you can place the crockpot to low until you are ready to serve, just make sure you stir it before serving.
• Ladle hot cocoa individual mugs and garnish with marshmallows, whipped cream or shredded chocolate. Enjoy with friends!

FAQ

Printable Recipe

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