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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.

CRAVING MORE RECIPES?

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 love this recipe, but my daughter has requested making it less thick. Any suggestions? Thanks so much for sharing

  2. 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?

    1. 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.

  3. 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….

    1. 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.

  4. 5 stars
    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!

  5. 5 stars
    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!!????????

  6. 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.

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  10. 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!!!

    1. 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 🙂

  11. 5 stars
    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

  12. This looks so good!!! I love hot chocolate with marshmallows topping! Can’t wait to try it! Thanks for sharing, Brandie!!!

      1. 5 stars
        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?

      2. 5 stars
        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! 🙂

    1. 5 stars
      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!!!