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!
FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS:
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.
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.
National Hot Chocolate Day is on January 31st!
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.
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!
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.
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
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.
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 milk that you made first.
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.
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!
CRAVING MORE RECIPES?
Originally published: November 2016
Updated and republished: January 2021
Crock Pot Hot Chocolate (+Video)
Ingredients
- ¼ cup unsweetened cocoa powder
- 14 ounce can sweetened condensed milk
- 6 cups whole milk, divided use
- 2 cups heavy whipping cream
- 2 teaspoon pure vanilla extract
- 2 cups semi-sweet chocolate chips
- mini marshmallows, for serving
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
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!
Nutrition
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.
Can I make this in the instapot? If so, about 6-9 minutes???
I made it in my IP, using the slow cook method; came out just fine.
Would this be okay on low for 6 hours after it is cooked? I would like to leave it in the teacher’s lounge.
I love this recipe, but my daughter has requested making it less thick. Any suggestions? Thanks so much for sharing
Can I make the recipe smaller if ya just for me and my significant other ??? What would be the ingrident measurements ?
This sounds delicious! I’m having a Christmas party and this would be perfect! I’m a little confused on the heating up the cup of milk than adding hot cocoa. Would that be a cup of the 6 cups from recipe or an additional cup of milk? Than you just mix the cocoa powder into the warm milk and add into crockpot?
Hi Caleigh! Yes, exactly – you have it right! 🙂 Hope you love it!
Hi! I’m also confused about the heating up a cup!! Can u explain ?!
The way I see it …..I looked back at the recipe and it calls for 6 cups of milk not 7 so you would just use one of the 6 cups not an additional cup.
To serve 14 adults, along with other foods and drinks, would the original recipe be enough or do I need to double it? I guess I’m wondering what serving size you used to equal the 6 servings….
Hi Jamie, I should think so. If this was the only drink being served, I would probably double it but since you have more options, it should work. You could also add more milk to help stretch t along. This is a true hot chocolate (not cocoa) so a bit more milk can be added without diluting the flavor too much.
This is as good as it sounds! Halloween, Thanksgiving, Christmas, just any ol time! LOVE!!!
If I doubled the recipe, would it be enough for 50 first graders? I am planning go making this for a fall field trip. It will be in a 7 quart crock pot. Thank you!
Hi Ann! It definitely should be. I imagine you aren’t going to serve a large serving so this should be enough. 🙂
Would this still be alright with milk chocolate chips instead of semi-chocolate? I can’t wait to try this????
Yes but it will make it REALLY sweet. 🙂
Can I make this on the stove?
Yes you could. You just have to make sure that it doesn’t scald and it warms up very slowly.
Do you think I could cook this on low overnight?
You want to cook in on low for just a couple of hours.
Oh wow!! I just made this tonight!! Yummy!! Im making ahead of time for early Christmas morning. I cant wait for everyone to try it, I hope it heats up well! Thank you for tje recipe!! Merry Christmas!!????????
Making this for my family’s Christmas tomorrow. Can’t wait to try it. Yum!
Made it for my co-workers and they loved it! Great recipe!
Woo Hoo! Thanks so much for coming back to let me know! I want to be your co-worker! LOL
This is delicious! How long can I keep the leftovers in the fridge?
Yay! So happy you loved it! You can keep it in the fridge for about 2-3 days. Hope that helps! 🙂
If making it more “adult,” when do you suggest adding in the alcohol?
Thanks!
Right before serving! 🙂
I want to make this for my daughters school Christmas party, 20 kiddos. Will the recipe be enough for them all or do I need to double? I plan to serve in small paper cups.
Hi Amanda! I think this would be plenty for kids in small paper cups (plus some for the teachers) 😉 Hope y’all love it!
Do you add in the heavy cream in it’s liquid form?
Lori – yes, that is correct.
Two questions:
Is there enough room in a 6 quart crock pot to double the recipe?
If I make this in the morning and refrigerate it, how long do you think it would take to heat up
and be ready to serve? Would I reheat it on the “warm” feature, low, or high?
It looks like a very yummy recipe that I would like to serve at our Christmas gathering at church. Thanks for sharing!!!
Hi Dee Dee. There is enough room in a 6 quart to double it. It will be full to the brim but it will work. I would reheat it on the high setting because it’s going to take 2-3 hours for it to get to serving temperature and make sure all the chocolate is properly melted. You are going to want to stir it regularly too. Hope everyone loves it! Make sure to keep a bowl of marshmallows on the side 🙂
I have a 6 quart crock pot. The hot chocolate sounds yummy. Do I need to up the ingredients from your 4 quart pot. If yes can you give me the right amount to add.
Thank you
Joe Goduto
Hi Joe! It isn’t necessary to make any adjustments (unless you just want more hot chocolate) 🙂 If that’s the case you could just double the ingredients. Hope that helps and hope y’all love it!
This looks so good!!! I love hot chocolate with marshmallows topping! Can’t wait to try it! Thanks for sharing, Brandie!!!
Thanks so much Jake! Hope you love it!
First, I have to point out how I love that your name is spelled exactly like mine….that never happens, lol! I have been trying to find a really good hot chocolate recipe to make for Christmas Eve for my kiddos. I think they will like this…I know I will! I’m thinking of maybe using the mint chips….can they be substituted for the semi sweet chips or should I just maybe use peppermint extract instead?
Ha! I love it! Then you’ll have to check out Brandie over at the blog Homecooking Memories. She’s another “ie” too! We could start a band. LOL! You could do this a couple of ways. Do you want a “Mint” flavor or a “Peppermint” flavor? Mint flavor is a combo. of peppermint and spearmint. If you want just peppermint flavor, you could use the peppermint (not mint) baking chips or peppermint extract. Both should work. You’ll have to experiment until you get it exactly the right flavor. Or, if you want the mint flavor (like Andes chocolate) you could add Andes mint baking chips or Mint Extract. I hope all that makes sense – ha! Merry Christmas! 🙂
Can this hot chocolate be saved and warmed up later? This sounds so yummy.
It sure can! You just want to make sure all the chocolate has melted. 🙂
I just made a batch and OMG it is absolutely the best Hot Chocolate I have ever had!!! I am saving some for tomorrow to take to my Mother and Daughter!!!