Slow-Cooker Hot Chocolate

  • Level: Easy
  • Yield: 8 to 12 servings
  • Total: 2 hr 45 min
  • Active: 15 min
Whip up a big batch of perfect hot chocolate for your favorite friends with this effortless slow-cooker recipe. We used semisweet chocolate for its richness and balanced sweetness. Keep the setting on warm while serving and set up the various toppings for the most festive make-your-own hot chocolate bar!
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Ingredients

6 cups whole milk

2 cups heavy cream

1/2 cup unsweetened cocoa powder

1/3 cup sugar

1 tablespoon pure vanilla extract

Kosher salt

12 ounces semisweet chocolate, chopped (see Cook's Note)

Mini marshmallows, for topping

Whipped cream, for topping

Crushed candy canes, for topping

Salted caramel sauce, for topping

Directions

Special equipment:
a 6-quart slow cooker
  1. Add the milk, cream, cocoa powder, sugar, vanilla and 1/4 teaspoon salt to a 6-quart slow cooker. Whisk until combined and the cocoa is dissolved. Stir in the chopped chocolate.
  2. Cover and cook on low, whisking every 30 minutes, until the chocolate is melted and the mixture is hot, about 2 hours 30 minutes.  
  3. Ladle into mugs and top as desired with either some marshmallows or whipped cream sprinkled with crushed candy canes, or drizzled with caramel sauce. 

Cook’s Note

We like to use chocolate bars for this, but you can substitute chocolate chips if you prefer.

Let's Get Cooking!

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Januari F.

Excellent! My whole family raved over this hot chocolate. I doubled the recipe minus 2 cups of milk and a cup of heavy cream. I also added a bit more sugar. It took longer than 1.5 hours to get hot enough, you may need to adjust for more time. Use a crock pot liner for easy clean up. So good!

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