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.

Other Easy Dessert Recipes From Pura Vida Moms

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) 

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

Can I make this crockpot hot chocolate recipe ahead of time?

Yes! Keep it on warm until you are ready to serve. Or you can make it and store it in the fridge and reheat on high heat for 1-2 hours on the day you want to serve.

What is the best type of chocolate for this recipe?

Chocolate chips or any other chocolate that is in small chunks is better than using chocolate bars, as you need everything to fully melt before serving. Smaller chocolate chunks are easier to melt faster.

Can I make this recipe on the stovetop?

Absolutely. Use a parge stockpot that is deeper than it is wide. Simmer ingredients on low heat until everything is melted and can combine.

Printable Recipe

Yield: 12 cups

Crockpot Hot Chocolate Recipe

Rose gold mug of hot chocolate topped with mini marshmallows.

Crockpot hot chocolate recipe that is perfect for parties, holiday gathersing and of course Christmas. Slow cooker hot chocolate FTW!

Prep Time 10 minutes
Cook Time 1 hour
Total Time 1 hour 10 minutes

Ingredients

  • 2 cups heavy whipping cream
  • 1 can (14 ounce) sweetened condensed milk
  • 4 cups milk
  • 1 teaspoon vanilla
  • 1 bag milk chocolate chips

Instructions

  1. 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.
  2. 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.
  3. 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.
  4. Ladle into individual mugs and garnish with marshmallows, whipped cream or shredded chocolate. Enjoy with friends!

Notes

You can substitute semi-sweet chocolate chips to lessen the sweetness of the recipe.

If you leave the hot chocolate in the crockpot for more than 2-3 hours you will want to stir it before serving.

I absolutely ADORE the handcrafted milk chocolate chips from Guittard in San Fransisco for this recipe. They are so creamy when they melt, and they only cost a few more cents than the regular chocolate chip brand.

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Christa Jimenez

Welcome! I’m Christa, a Spanish teacher married to a handsome Costa Rican and mother of two bilingual daughters. We’ve spent over 25 years living in and traveling to Costa Rica with our daughters, and this website is my love letter to all things Costa Rica- and to bilingual parenting too. You can read my full story here. Thanks for stopping by!

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