Creamy, rich, and decadent, this one Slow Cooker Hot Chocolate Made with real melted chocolate and makes enough to serve a crowd. Best of all, it only takes a few minutes to prepare, and then the slow cooker is on. A mug of this easy homemade hot chocolate is sure to warm you up and chase away any winter blues. Whipped cream or marshmallows!
I originally published this recipe in 2016. And since then added new images and additional achievement points.
Eat and drink your chocolate too!
I shared this recipe years ago, and it has become a cold weather flavor that warms the soul especially on cold snowy days.
Homemade Hot Chocolate: Easier than you think!
The process is *almost* as easy as opening a packet of store-bought hot cocoa mix. Toss all the ingredients together in your slow cooker, stir frequently, and it’s done. The “recipe” takes only 10 minutes to prepare and either 5 hours less or 3 hours more. Heat it up in the slow cooker for all your cookies or gift exchange parties, holiday parties, snow days and other cold weather gatherings.
This hot chocolate is made in a slow cooker – a versatile kitchen device that’s not just for savory dishes like Sweet Potato Turkey Chili or Turkey Meatballs.
It’s mega creamy and so undeniably chocolatey and rich that it should come with a warning label. It honestly tastes like pure melted chocolate with a creamy, frothy consistency. Because guess what? It’s made with pure melted chocolate!
Get these ingredients for your slow cooker hot chocolate.
The full printable recipe is below, but let me walk you through each ingredient so you can understand their importance. To ensure that each sip is as delicious as intended, avoid making substitutions unless otherwise noted.
- whole milk – This is the base of the drink, and I choose whole milk to ensure a thick, rich consistency. Skim milk, 1%, or 2% will be fine, as long as you keep the heavy cream.
- Heavy cream – For the silkiest, creamiest consistency, I strongly recommend using heavy cream. This is especially important if you are using low-fat milk. If you’re using whole milk, half-and-half is a great substitute for heavy cream.
- thanks – To sweeten a drink.
- Semi-sweet chocolate – Use 8 ounces of semi-sweet chocolate – bars sold in baking oil with chocolate chips. Semi-sweet is the best because it brings the perfect balance of sweetness and rich chocolate flavor. Bittersweet chocolate can work in its place, but avoid using unsweetened chocolate. While it’s amazing in some baking recipes, it lacks the natural sweetness you need for your hot chocolate drink!
- Cocoa powder – This adds more cocoa flavor, and helps keep the mixture thick. You can use natural or Dutch process cocoa here.
- Vanilla extract – To taste. It’s not just for vanilla-flavored baked goods!
No, I strongly recommend using 2 4-ounce bars of chocolate bars such as Ghirardelli or Bakers brand semi-sweet chocolate. Save for the chocolate chips. Chocolate Chip Cookies. Why? Chocolate chips do not melt very easily and separate from the liquid in the hot cocoa drink.
Yes, of course. Whisk together the milk, cream and sugar in a bowl. Large dutch oven Or keep the pot on medium heat. Once it boils around the edges, stir in the remaining ingredients. Stir occasionally until mixture is hot and chocolate is melted, about 20 minutes.
Stir all ingredients together in your slow cooker. If you need a recommendation, I Love yourself and him. Any slow cooker between 4.5 and 7 quarts is fine. The one pictured is the same brand and I bought it at Target. I’m not getting the same color anymore, though Here it is in a dark blue shade..
As the slow cooker does its thing, be sure to stir the mixture every 45 minutes to 1 hour. Cook it on low for 5 hours or on high for 3 hours.
Required to serve: Lots of marshmallows or even more Homemade marshmallows. Or even a (big) dollop of a house Whipped cream! And if you really want to go overboard with dessert (don’t we all?), serve this hot chocolate with it. Hot Cocoa Cookies.
Optional toppings and flavors:
- Caramel: A little drizzle Salted caramel on top of each serving.
- Peppermint: When you add the vanilla extract, add 1/2 teaspoon of the peppermint extract to the mixture. As the cocoa heats up, taste, and add more if desired. Garnish each mug with a candy cane.
- Espresso: Before mixing all the ingredients together in the slow cooker, heat 1 cup whole milk in the microwave or on the stove. Add 1 tablespoon of espresso powder, then combine the espresso milk with the other ingredients in the slow cooker as directed.
Homemade Slow Cooker Hot Chocolate
Preparation Time: 10 minutes
Cooking time: 5 hours
Total time: 5 hours, 10 minutes
Production: About 10 cups
Category: Drink
Method: Slow cooker
food: American
Description
Instructions
- Place all ingredients in a large slow cooker. (Here’s one I own and love.!) Stir the cocoa powder vigorously to mix it in as much as possible — you don’t want it all floating to the top. Stir for a minute or 2 until it’s all combined.
- Cook on low for 5 hours or on high for 3 hours, stirring the mixture every 45 minutes to 1 hour to make sure the chocolate isn’t burning on the bottom.
- Pour hot chocolate into mugs and top with marshmallows or other optional toppings.
- Store leftovers in the refrigerator and reheat on the stove or in the microwave.
Notes
- Special tools (Affiliate Links) Large crock pot | to explode | Clean the glass mugs. (I love these mugs!)
- Heavy Cream: For the silkiest, creamiest consistency, I strongly recommend using heavy cream. This is especially important if you are using low-fat milk. If you’re using whole milk, half-and-half is a great substitute for heavy cream.
- Can I use chocolate chips? No, I strongly recommend using 2 4-ounce bars of chocolate bars such as Ghirardelli or Bakers brand semi-sweet chocolate. Chocolate chips do not melt very easily and separate from the liquid in the hot cocoa drink.
- Any slow cookers? No problem! Whisk together the milk, cream and sugar in a bowl. Large dutch oven Or keep the pot on medium heat. Once it boils around the edges, stir in the rest of the ingredients. Stir occasionally until mixture is hot and chocolate is melted, about 20 minutes.