This rich and creamy slow cooker hot chocolate is the perfect decadent drink for any party or special occasion. Don’t forget the marshmallows!
This is the ultimate treat for hot chocolate lovers, you’ll never want to use a dry mix again! This is one of my favorite holiday drinks along with Christmas punch, slow cooker apple cider and lime sherbet punch.
What better drink recipe for a cold day than a piping hot mug of hot chocolate? This slow cooker hot chocolate puts those little packets of powder to shame, it’s rich and creamy and perfect for a party. All it takes is 5 minutes of prep time, which is really not much more time than you’d spend making a cup of instant cocoa!
If you serve this hot chocolate for holiday parties and get togethers check out my favorite holiday entertaining recipes like chocolate covered cherries, peppermint brownies and rum balls.
Table of Contents
Slow Cooker Hot Chocolate Ingredients
To make luscious slow cooker hot chocolate you will need cocoa powder, sweetened condensed milk, whole milk, cream, vanilla extract, semisweet chocolate chips and milk chocolate chips. Have some marshmallows and whipped cream handy for a garnish.
How Do You Make Slow Cooker Hot Chocolate?
This crock pot hot chocolate recipe is pretty simple. First place unsweetened cocoa powder, condensed milk, heavy cream, milk, vanilla extract, semi-sweet chocolate chips and milk chocolate chips in a slow cooker. Stir everything together. Heat the mixture on low for 2 hours. Stir everything again. You can use a spoon or a whisk. Turn the slow cooker to the “warm” setting. Serve the hot chocolate with your favorite toppings!
Tips For The Perfect Hot Chocolate
- If you want to cut a few calories, 1% or 2% milk is fine. I recommend against using skim milk.
- I like to use a combination of semi-sweet chocolate chips and milk chocolate chips. You could use one or the other instead of both if you prefer.
- When you first take the lid off your slow cooker, all the chocolate chips will have melted to the bottom. Simply stir, stir, stir and after a few minutes your hot chocolate will come together into a smooth and creamy drink.
- I like to make a large batch of this slow cooker hot chocolate for the holidays. I leave it on the warm setting with a ladle and some mugs.
Quick Tip
For the creamiest hot chocolate use whole milk.
Recipe FAQs
You can keep your hot chocolate in a slow cooker on the warm setting for 2 hours. Make sure that your slow cooker keeps the chocolate at a temperature of at least 140 degrees F.
Leftover hot chocolate will stay good up to three days in the fridge in an airtight container. If you put the drink in the fridge while it is still warm, make sure is away from perishable items and leave it unsealed until it cools off.
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Slow Cooker Hot Chocolate Flavor Variations
While this hot cocoa is creamy and satisfying as written, you can modify the recipe with other flavors to suit your own taste.
- Peppermint: You can add a holiday twist by adding a few drops of peppermint extract and garnishing with candy canes. I’ve done this before and it’s a big hit!
- Toppings: Marshmallows and whipped cream are the classic toppings. However, feel free to put chocolate sprinkles, mini chocolate chips, caramel sauce, chocolate sauce, sea salt or crushed candy canes on mugs of cocoa. You can leave the toppings out so guests can help themselves to a hot chocolate bar.
- Alcohol: For an adult beverage version, try adding some Baileys Irish Cream or Peppermint Schnapps.
This slow cooker hot chocolate a fun little indulgence. It’s the best possible way to warm up on a chilly day. Throw out the hot cocoa packets and make your own delicious, creamy hot chocolate.
Other Holiday Recipes You’ll Love
Buckeye Balls (Peanut Butter Balls)
1 hr 2 mins
Christmas Crack Recipe
20 mins
Christmas Wreath Cookies
15 mins
Peppermint Bark Cookies
35 mins
Love This Recipe?
Please leave a 5-star 🌟🌟🌟🌟🌟 rating in the recipe card below & a review in the comments section further down the page.
Slow Cooker Hot Chocolate
Ingredients
- 1/4 cup cocoa powder sifted
- 1 14 ounce can sweetened condensed milk
- 7 cups milk use whole milk for the creamiest hot chocolate!
- 1 cup heavy cream can use half and half, but cream gives the best results
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
- 1 cup semisweet chocolate chips
- 1 cup milk chocolate chips
- Marshmallows, whipped cream, chocolate chips etc. for garnish
Instructions
- Place the cocoa powder, condensed milk, heavy cream, milk, vanilla extract, semisweet chocolate chips and milk chocolate chips in a slow cooker. Stir to combine.
- Cook on LOW for 2 hours. Stir well until thoroughly mixed. Turn the slow cooker to the KEEP WARM setting until you’re ready to serve the hot chocolate. Garnish with marshmallows and/or whipped cream if desired.
Notes
- For the creamiest hot chocolate use whole milk.
- If you want to cut a few calories, 1% or 2% milk is fine, but I would recommend against using skim milk.
- When you first take the lid off your slow cooker, all the chocolate chips will have melted to the bottom. Simply stir, stir, stir and after a few minutes your hot chocolate will come together into a smooth and creamy drink.
Can the leftovers be frozen?
I think it would separate when thawed, I wouldn’t freeze it.
I’m looking for a slow cooker hot chocolate recipe that I can leave on at home while my family goes to look at Christmas lights for 1-2 hours. Could I leave this without stirring for that length of time? Or maybe just have the milks going and I’ll add the chocolate right at the end when I get home?
Yes that’s fine, you only need to stir it when it goes in the slow cooker, and again after 2 hours.
Sounds delicious, how long can you store it in the fridge to reheat later?
It should be good for 2 days!
Your so right… no hard to make and 100 times better than powder mixes.
I want to make this tomorrow but about triple the quantity. How much longer will it take to cook?
It should cook for the same amount of time!
Thank you, I made it on Saturday with 3 litres of milk, it was amazing!!
Fabulous. I used 2% milk and was too lazy to sift the cocoa, it still came out ridiculously delicious. We added a splash of peppermint schnapps for the adults, and although it was perfect without it, this made it taste like a liquid Frango Mint. Highly recommend.
if you don’t drink it all, can you store it in the fridge and re-heat it?
Yes you can!