This Crockpot Hot Chocolate is going to knock your socks off. It’s the perfect combination of chocolate and cream and it comes together easily in the slow cooker.
One of my favorite winter traditions is making my kiddos hot chocolate after they come in from playing in the snow. The huddle over their mugs with cheeks red from the cold, pile in the mini marshmallows, and grin in delight.
This is the easiest homemade hot chocolate recipe! Everything comes together perfectly and you are left with the best hot chocolate recipe. This makes a great Christmas morning drink, but honestly it is amazing all winter long. Skip the hot cocoa packets, because this recipe is simple and so much better.
Homemade Hot Chocolate Ingredients
- Heavy cream: The key to making your hot chocolate extra creamy.
- Milk: I used skim, but any fat content milk will do. Whole milk will create an extra rich drink, but skim is what we keep on hand.
- Sweetened condensed milk: This is often by the evaporated milk at the store so make sure to double check your label, they are not the same.
- Vanilla extract: This adds the perfect burst of vanilla flavor. Not too overpowering, but the right amount to add to the chocolate flavor.
- Chocolate chips: You can use milk chocolate, semi-sweet, dark chocolate, white chocolate chips, or a combination.
- Cocoa powder
How to Serve
Once your crockpot hot chocolate is done and ready to enjoy, turn your slow cooker to the warm setting. Ladle your hot cocoa while it is warm into mugs. If you are hosting, it can be left in the slow cooker on warm setting for two hours. See the ideas below for how to garnish your hot chocolate and the best way to store any leftovers.
Tips and Variations
- Switch the chocolate chips: This works with milk chocolate chips or semi-sweet chocolate chips. You can use whichever you choose, or a combination of both.
- Top it off. Marshmallows, whipped cream, or chocolate shavings all make delicious garnishes.
- Peppermint delight. Use peppermint extract instead of vanilla or add peppermint sticks or candy canes to each mug. I also love topping with peppermint andes baking chips!
- Caramel Sauce. Who doesn’t love caramel and chocolate together?
- Cinnamon Sticks. Cinnamon and chocolate go together so well! Offering your guests cinnamon sticks to stir in is easy and delicious.
- Make it spiked. See my recommendations in the recipe card for the best alcohol for hot chocolate to make this a delicious adult beverage.
- Add a shot of espresso to create a mocha hot chocolate. Instant espresso powder is great for this!
- Make it on the stovetop. My stovetop hot chocolate recipe is a little different, but equally delicious.
- Make a hot chocolate bar. If you are hosting a party, put together a hot chocolate bar to serve this. Its easy and so fun!
Storing and Reheating
Store your leftover hot chocolate in a covered pitcher or container in the refrigerator for up to three days. Reheat on the stovetop or in the microwave.
If you try this Crockpot Hot Chocolate recipe or any of my other cozy concoctions, leave me a comment and let me know what you think. I love hearing from you!
Crockpot Hot Chocolate
Ingredients
- 1 1/2 cups heavy whipping cream (340.5 grams or 354.9 ml)
- 6 cups milk I used skim (1362 grams or 1419.5 ml)
- 14 ounces sweetened condensed milk (396 grams)
- 2 teaspoons vanilla
- 2 cups chocolate chips see note 1
- 1/4 cup cocoa powder (21 grams)
Instructions
- Pour all ingredients into a 6-quart crockpot.
- Whisk until cocoa powder and sweetened condensed milk are mixed well.
- Cook on low for about 3 hours, stirring occasionally to prevent it from burning, and allow all chocolate chips to melt.
- Drink and enjoy!
Recipe Video
Notes
- I love making this with milk chocolate chips, but semi sweet chocolate chips work well in this also.
- Some alcohol options that would be good include: Baileys, Kahlua, Crème de Cocoa, Godiva liqueur, RumChata, Fireball, Whiskey, or Bourbon.Â
Debbie Sanders says
Great crockpot hot chocolate. Can you use dark chocolate chips?
Yes!
Mary says
Can u store hot chocolate in frige for a later time
Yes! Leftovers can be stored in the refrigerator for up to three days.
Sarah says
I love this easy recipe for homemade hot chocolate. I’ve been making it this way for a couple years, it’s very versatile. I’m thinking spiking it with Amaretto would also be amazing.