Crockpot Hot Chocolate

Crockpot Hot Chocolate is a warm, velvety smooth, decadent drink that will keep you feeling merry and bright this winter! You only need 6 ingredients and a slow cooker to indulge in a big batch of the perfect hot cocoa. Great for cozy holiday sleepovers, festive family functions, or just a friendly get together on a chilly day!

Can’t get enough hot chocolate? Warm up with a steaming mug of Slow Cooker Spiced White Hot Chocolate or Slow Cooker Peppermint White Hot Chocolate!

Crockpot Hot Chocolate Recipe

This is the BEST Crockpot Hot Chocolate Recipe! Real melted chocolate, rich heavy cream, sweetened condensed milk, cocoa powder, milk AND a dash of vanilla? Talk about the ultimate combination of flavors for a cold day. Plus this crockpot hot cocoa couldn’t be easier to throw together.

Stir occasionally and serve with your favorite classic toppings. Are you a mini marshmallow kind of person? Or maybe whipped cream and a candy cane as a garnish? Luckily this makes enough to try out all the combinations!

Did you know National Hot Chocolate Day is January 31st? Sounds like an excuse for a Slow Cooker Hot Chocolate party to me!

Why You’ll Love Slow Cooker Hot Chocolate

Why do I love this Crockpot Hot Cocoa?

• It’s so easy! You can make a large batch for parties and sleepovers and all you have to do is simmer in your slow cooker! 
• This hot chocolate is so decadent. It’s thick and creamy and wonderfully chocolatey. Perfect for a cozy night watching your favorite holiday flicks!

Cheers To More Festive Holiday Drink Recipes!

This Crockpot Hot Chocolate recipe is definitely a crowd favorite but here are more options to serve to friends and family this holiday season:

1. Easy Christmas Punch
2. Mulled Wine (Crockpot or Stovetop)
3. Slow Cooker Spiced Cranberry Citrus Apple Cider
4. Slow Cooker Gingerbread Mocha
5. Cranberry Moscow Mule
6. Peppermint Eggnog Milkshake
7. Hot Spiced Citrus Grape Punch

Crockpot Hot Chocolate Recipe Ingredients

Easy hot chocolate fit for a house full of guests? Sign me up! As always, you can find the full printable recipe with complete instructions in the recipe card at the end of this post. Let’s take a look at what you’ll need…

• heavy cream – This gives the hot chocolate a luscious texture and richness that really makes it taste special.
• unsweetened cocoa powder – Make sure you get the unsweetened cocoa powder or you’ll end up with an overly sweet treat. You can find this in the baking aisle.
• whole milk – You can use a lower fat milk but the final result will be slightly thinner in consistency. If you are really wanted to make this the most decadent hot chocolate of your like, you can swap in one cup of half and half for one of the cups of milk.
• sweetened condensed milk – For a sweet and indulgent flavor. The sweetened condensed milk is the only sweetness that we are adding to this recipe so you don’t want to skip this! Make sure you buy sweetened condensed milk and not evaporated milk.
• semi-sweet baking bar – You’ll want the chocolate finely chopped for faster and easier melting. Get the best quality you can because this ingredient is going to a add that chocolate-y richness.
• vanilla extract – For a little flavor and spice and man, can I taste the difference! Use the best quality vanilla extract for the best results.

How To Make This Crockpot Hot Chocolate Recipe

1. Pour in 2 cups of the heavy cream into your slow cooker. Whisk in the full amount of unsweetened cocoa powder and continue whisking until it is fully incorporated. This does take a bit of time but is so worth it.
2. Add the remaining 2 cups of heavy cream, whole milk, sweetened condensed milk, chopped baking chocolate, and vanilla extract. Stir to fully combine.
3. Set your crockpot to low for 3 hours. Stir every 20 minutes or so until the chocolate has fully melted and combined with the other ingredients. You can turn the crockpot to the “warm” setting for serving for up to 3 hours. If you find the hot chocolate getting too thick as it sits, stir in more milk to thin it out.
4. Serve your hot cocoa with your favorite toppings. Marshmallows, whipped cream, chocolate drizzle, crushed candy canes, or a sprinkle of cinnamon are some of my favorites! Enjoy and Merry Christmas!

Storage Information

To store leftover hot chocolate, let cool then transfer to a pitcher. Store covered in the fridge for up to 3 days. 

You can heat individual mugs of hot chocolate in the microwave in 30 second intervals until warmed through. To reheat the whole pitcher, pour into a small pot and heat on the stovetop (stirring frequently) until warmed through. 

Slow Cooker Hot Chocolate FAQs

Trish’s Tips and Tricks

• Do not skip step 1! Adding everything into the crockpot at once won’t allow the cocoa powder to properly mix with the other ingredients. It tends to just float on top so mixing in a little at a time makes it so much easier and this Crockpot Hot Cocoa will turn out super smooth.
• Whisk or stir the hot chocolate every 20 minutes or so the chocolate doesn’t burn around the edges of the slow cooker insert. Most slow cookers have a “hot spot” and frequent stirring or whisking will help avoid burning any of this precious slow cooker hot chocolate.
• Semi sweet chocolate chips can be swapped for the bar of baking chocolate if that’s what’s on hand. Try to use a higher quality chocolate like Ghirardelli for a smoother melt and better consistency to the slow cooker hot chocolate.
• Keep in mind this will make a thick and creamy style hot chocolate. If you’d prefer a thinner hot chocolate, swap in 2 cups of milk (2% will help thin it out as opposed to whole milk) for 2 cups of heavy cream. You could also swap in 2 cups of half and half for 2 cups of the heavy cream as well.

More Holiday Chocolate Recipes

1. Chocolate Crinkle Cookies
2. Christmas Crack Recipe (Saltine Toffee)
3. Christmas Bark
4. Toffee Recipe
5. Peanut Butter Blossoms

How To Make Crockpot Hot Chocolate