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Crock Pot Hot Chocolate (+Video)

Crock Pot Hot Chocolate is an easy, creamy slow cooker homemade hot chocolate that everyone loves! Rich, chocolate deliciousness in a mug!

AN EASY, CREAMY HOMEMADE HOT CHOCOLATE

This is a super simple recipe that packs a wonderful chocolate flavor and is pure creamy deliciousness. It makes hot chocolate just a bit more special for the occasion and gets everyone into the holiday spirit. Be sure to check out my twists on this recipe for adult-only crowds!

a hand holding a red and white mug full of hot chocolate and topped with mini marshmallows.

FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS:

Is hot chocolate better with milk or water?

Definitely milk. Especially if you are looking for a more indulgent hot chocolate. Water is perfectly fine for hot cocoa but not for real hot chocolate.

What is the difference between hot chocolate and hot cocoa?

Hot cocoa is a powder made with cocoa powder, powdered milk and sometimes adiditonal sweetener. It is then mixed with warm water or milk to create the drink. Hot chocolate is made with real chocolate (either chocolate chips or chocolate bars), milk and sugar. It is all warmed together to create the drink.

When is National Hot Chocolate Day?

National Hot Chocolate Day is on January 31st!

Can hot chocolate powder go bad?

Instant hot chocolate mixes usually contain powdered milk so they do actually expire. Be sure to check the date on your powdered mixes to ensure they aren’t past their shelf date.

What are some other hot chocolate variations?

For peppermint hot chocolate, add in a couple of teaspoons of peppermint extract instead of vanilla extract. For an adult beverage, try adding some Kahlua, Peppermint Schnapps or Rum Chata!

How do you store leftover hot chocolate?

Leftover homemade hot chocolate should be stored in a covered pitcher in the refrigerator for up to 3 days. You can gently reheat it in the microwave using a microwave-safe mug. Heat in 30 second increments and stir until warmed through.

a wooden ladle scooping up some hot chocolate from a slow cooker.

INGREDIENTS NEEDED: (FULL RECIPE AT THE BOTTOM OF THE POST)

  • unsweetened cocoa powder
  • sweetened condensed milk
  • whole milk
  • heavy whipping cream
  • vanilla extract
  • semi-sweet chocolate chips
  • mini marshmallows
unsweetened cocoa powder, sweetened condensed milk, whole milk, heavy whipping cream. vanilla extract, semi-sweet chocolate chips, mini marshmallows.

HOW TO MAKE SLOW COOKER HOT CHOCOLATE:

In a microwave-safe bowl or cup, microwave one cup of milk to scalding (not boiling). This can also be done in a small saucepan on the stove top. Gently whisk in the 1/4 cup cocoa powder into the milk.

cocoa powder added to warm milk in a clear bowl.

In a 4-quart (or larger) slow cooker, combine sweetened condensed milk, whole milk, heavy whipping cream, vanilla extract and semi-sweet chocolate chips.

milk, sweetened condensed milk, heavy whipping cream and semisweet chocolate chips in a round slow cooker.

Finally stir in the cocoa milk that you made first.

milk mixed with cocoa being poured into a slow cooker.

Cover and cook on low for about 2 hours. Stirring vigorously occasionally as it warms up. Stirring is very important because you want to make sure those chocolate chips are melting evenly and getting incorporated into the rest of the mixture.

finished hot chocolate being shown in a round crock pot.

It’s ready when all the chocolate chips have melted and mixture is warm.

a wooden ladle scooping up hot chocolate out of a round crock pot.

Ladle into mugs and top with marshmallows or whipped cream and a mini candy cane!

two red and white mugs filled with hot chocolate and topped with mini marshmallows.

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Originally published: November 2016
Updated and republished: January 2021

Crock Pot Hot Chocolate recipe

Crock Pot Hot Chocolate (+Video)

Crock Pot Hot Chocolate is an easy, creamy slow cooker homemade hot chocolate that everyone loves! Rich, chocolate deliciousness in a mug!
5 from 172 votes
Print Pin Rate
Prep Time: 5 minutes
Cook Time: 2 hours
Total Time: 2 hours 5 minutes
Servings: 12

Ingredients

Instructions

  • In a microwave-safe bowl or cup, microwave one cup of milk to scalding (not boiling). This can also be done in a small saucepan on the stove top.
  • Gently whisk in the 1/4 cup cocoa powder into the milk.
  • In a 4-quart (or larger) slow cooker, combine sweetened condensed milk, whole milk, heavy whipping cream, vanilla extract and semi-sweet chocolate chips.
  • Finally stir in the cocoa and milk mixture that you made first.
  • Cover and cook on low for about 2 hours and stirring often as it begins to warm up. Stirring is very important because you want to make sure those chocolate chips are melting evenly and getting incorporated into the rest of the mixture. You don't want a big clump of melted chocolate on the bottom.
  • It's ready when all the chocolate chips have melted and mixture is warm.
  • Ladle into mugs and top with marshmallows or whipped cream and a mini candy cane!

Video

YouTube video

Notes

  • Edit: I updated this recipe from the first time I posted it. I originally mixed the cocoa powder straight in with the all the other ingredients but updated it to mix with warm milk first to make sure it is fully combined before adding to the rest of the ingredients. in the slow cooker. 
  • For peppermint hot chocolate, add in a couple of teaspoons of peppermint extract instead of vanilla extract.
  • For an adult beverage, try adding some Kahlua, Peppermint Schnapps or Rum Chata!
Course: Beverages
Cuisine: American

Nutrition

Calories: 497kcal | Carbohydrates: 42g | Protein: 9g | Fat: 33g | Sodium: 113mg | Fiber: 3g | Sugar: 35g

Nutritional Disclaimer

“The Country Cook” is not a dietician or nutritionist, and any nutritional information shared is an estimate. If calorie count and other nutritional values are important to you, we recommend running the ingredients through whichever online nutritional calculator you prefer. Calories and other nutritional values can vary quite a bit depending on which brands were used.

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Recipe Rating




85 Comments

  1. 5 stars
    I made this recipe for Christmas and everyone loved it! So easy to put together and the hot chocolate was rich and delicious! Just perfect!