Creamy dreamy hot chocolate made in the slow cooker! Ditch store-bought dry powder hot chocolate mix, and make the best ever hot chocolate at home topped with your favorite toppings!
This hot chocolate is so creamy, rich, and decadent that you’ll keep wanting to make it all winter. It’s perfect for parties, and to serve a crowd!
Slow cooker hot chocolate is a must in our house every winter! We make it all the time when the temperature drops outside, and it’s probably the best way to warm up.
It also makes a wonderful centerpiece on our table at parties and gatherings during Christmas time. We usually set up a small hot chocolate bar, with a few different toppings for our guests to choose from.
The hot chocolate bar is a great activity as the guests can serve themselves, plus, who doesn’t love hot chocolate? Just keep it on “keep warm” setting, and everyone will love it!
Another fun way to enjoy hot chocolate is with individual hot chocolate bombs. A festive green version, Grinch hot chocolate bombs, is a huge hit at Christmas parties!
Crockpot hot chocolate ingredients
To make this hot chocolate, you will need:
- Milk of choice – I usually go for coconut as it’s super creamy and gives a lovely flavor. But if you choose to go for dairy milk, go for 2%.
- Cacao powder – I use organic raw cacao powder.
- Chocolate chips – milk chocolate, or non-dairy dark chocolate chips if making vegan hot chocolate. You can omit using chocolate chips if you like, but they’re the reason why this hot chocolate is so rich and chocolatey!
- Sweetener of choice – sugar, maple syrup, agave syrup, whatever you fancy!
- Vanilla – I use vanilla bean paste, it’s much stronger than vanilla extract and it’s just sooo good!
- Optional toppings: Marshmallows, mini cookies, candy cane, pretzels, shaved chocolate, ground cinnamon.
How to make hot chocolate in the slow cooker?
Add the milk that you’re using to the slow cooker, followed by cacao powder, chocolate chips, sugar, and vanilla and whisk until well combined.
Let the slow cooker do its thing for 2-3 hours on low setting, but keep checking every hour and give it a quick mix.
Once it’s done, add the marshmallows and allow them to melt a little. Keep on the “keep warm” setting, ladle into mugs, and top with your favorite toppings.
Can the milk curdle in the slow cooker?
It can if you let it boil on the high setting, but since this recipe calls for cooking on the low setting the milk will only simmer and will be absolutely fine.
How to store hot chocolate?
If you’re lucky to have leftovers for the next day, then store in the fridge in an airtight container or bottle. Reheat over the stovetop in a saucepan, or in the microwave.
Hot chocolate topping ideas
- Crushed candy canes.
- Pretzels.
- Mini cookies.
- Extra chocolate chips (white, milk, dark, cinnamon).
- Mini marshmallows.
- Peanut butter.
- Sweetened coconut shavings.
- Whipped coconut or dairy cream.
- Caramel or chocolate syrup.
- Sprinkles.
Do vegan marshmallows exist?
Yes, they do! They might not be easy to find, but you can order them online. I’ve tried this brand in the US, and here’s the UK link.
You can also make gluhwein mulled wine in the slow cooker, and it makes a gorgeous centerpiece on your holiday table!
There are 7 WW points per portion.
Did you make this? Be sure to leave a review below and tag me on Facebook, Instagram, or Pinterest!
Slow Cooker Hot Chocolate
Equipment
Ingredients
- 6 cups (1.5 liter) milk of choice full fat
- ½ cup (50 grams) cacao powder
- ½ cup (75 grams) chocolate chips
- ¼ cup (85 grams) granulated sugar maple syrup, agave syrup, whatever you fancy
- 1 teaspoon pure vanilla extract it’s much stronger than vanilla extract and it’s just sooo good!
- Optional toppings marshmallows, mini cookies, candy cane, pretzels, shaved chocolate, ground cinnamon.
- ¼ teaspoon peppermint extract if desired
Instructions
- Add the milk that you’re using to the slow cooker, followed by cacao powder, chocolate chips, sugar, and vanilla and whisk until well combined.
- Cook for 2-3 hours on low setting, but keep checking every hour and give it a quick mix.
- Once it’s done, add the marshmallows and allow them to melt a little. Keep on the “keep warm” setting, ladle into mugs, and top with your favorite toppings.
Notes:
- Store leftovers in the fridge in airtight container or bottle. Reheat over the stovetop in a saucepan, or in the microwave.
- Hot chocolate topping ideas: Crushed candy canes, pretzels, mini cookies, extra chocolate chips (white, milk, dark, cinnamon), mini marshmallows, peanut butter, sweetened coconut shavings, whipped coconut or dairy cream, caramel or chocolate syrup, sprinkles.
Nutrition Information
This website provides approximate nutrition information for convenience and as a courtesy only. Nutrition data is gathered primarily from the USDA Food Composition Database, whenever available, or otherwise other online calculators.
© Little Sunny Kitchen
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