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This Crockpot Hot Chocolate is creamy and full of chocolate flavor! It’s the perfect hot drink for holiday parties, Christmas morning, a chilly snow day or other special occasions during the winter months!
Here in the Midwest, summers are hot & humid and the winters are cold & snowy. Some seem to despise the snow, but I loved it growing up! My siblings and I would build snowmen, tunnels, forts, igloos….heck, one winter, we even built a “St Louis arch!” We were proud of that one!
But no matter the snow creation, one thing was for sure. As soon as we got inside, we were making hot chocolate…probably hot cocoa packets and WAY too many marshmallows! 😉
Ingredients for my Crock Pot Hot Chocolate Recipe
- Evaporated Milk – If you don’t have evaporated milk, you can use heavy cream instead (though I prefer evaporated milk!)
- Milk – You can use whatever type of milk you’ve got on hand. Whole milk will result in the most creamy hot chocolate. You could also opt for almond milk, oat milk, coconut milk, etc!
- Cocoa Powder
- Chocolate Chips – You can use milk, semi-sweet or dark chocolate chips. My kids prefer milk chocolate chips, but I love the richness of dark chocolate!
- Sugar
How to make Crockpot Hot Chocolate
Start by adding all five ingredients into the crock and give it a stir. Note: The cocoa will not mix in well at this point, which is fine.
Turn the crockpot on high for 1-2 hours or low for 2-4 hours, whisking occasionally.
Enjoy right away or turn to the warm setting when it’s ready.
Absolutely! Simply add all ingredients to a large pot and cook on low, stirring occasionally until the chocolate chips are melted and it’s piping hot (but not boiling)!
Simply follow my recipe to make crockpot hot chocolate and then keep it on the warm setting when it’s nice and hot!
Pour the leftover hot chocolate in an airtight container and set it in the fridge. Once the drink is cooled, place a lid on top and store for up to 5 days. When you’re ready to enjoy again, simply give it a stir, pour into a mug and microwave until hot.
If you want to make spiked hot chocolate, you most certainly can! Simply stir in a shot (or two) of one of the following: Dark rum, peppermint schnapps, Bailey’s Irish Cream, Kahlua, or Godiva Chocolate Liquor! This is sure to make the best hot chocolate even better! 😉
This recipe will make about six 8-ounce servings. However, if you’re looking to make more, this is the easiest way to make enough for a larger crowd! Simply use a large crockpot and make a double batch, triple batch, etc!
Making a Hot Chocolate Bar
A hot chocolate bar is a great way to mingle and customize a warm mug of hot cocoa on a cold night! Whether you’re a peppermint hot chocolate guru or like to keep it classic with loads of marshmallows, everyone is sure to find something they love!
Some of My Favorite Toppings
- Whipped Cream
- Mini Marshmallows
- Chocolate Sauce
- Caramel Sauce
- Chocolate Shavings
- Candy Canes and/or crushed peppermint candies
- Festive Sprinkles – a kid FAVE!
- Cinnamon Sticks
- Bailey’s Irish Cream, Godiva Chocolate Liquor, and/or Peppermint Schnapps for adults!
Cookies to Serve with Hot Cocoa
Chocolate Chip Cookies – These cookies are crisp around the edges, soft in the center, perfectly buttery and full of chocolate chips!
Cut-Out Sugar Cookies – My cut-out cookies are soft, buttery and hold their shape while baking. Eaten plain or decorated with frosting and sprinkles, these cookies are so festive and fun!!
Festive Spritz Cookies – These light, buttery spritz cookies are topped with a creamy frosting and colorful sprinkles – it wouldn’t be the holidays without ’em!
Crockpot Hot Chocolate
Equipment
- 1 Slow Cooker
Ingredients
- 3 cups milk
- One 12 ounce can evaporated milk
- 1/2 cup sugar
- 1/2 cup chocolate chips
- 1/4 cup cocoa powder
Instructions
- Add all ingredients to a crockpot and whisk together. (The cocoa will not be mixed in well at this point, which is fine).
- Place the lid on the crockpot and heat on high for 1-2 hours or low for 2-4 hours, whisking occasionally.*
- Once the chocolate is melted and it's hot enough for your liking, you can enjoy right away or turn to the "warm setting" to enjoy later on.
