This rich and creamy slow cooker hot chocolate is the perfect decadent drink for any party or special occasion. Don’t forget the marshmallows!

This is the ultimate treat for hot chocolate lovers, you’ll never want to use a dry mix again! This is one of my favorite holiday drinks along with Christmas punch , slow cooker apple cider and lime sherbet punch .

A ladle full of slow cooker hot chocolate topped with marshmallows. - 1

What better drink recipe for a cold day than a piping hot mug of hot chocolate? This slow cooker hot chocolate puts those little packets of powder to shame, it’s rich and creamy and perfect for a party. All it takes is 5 minutes of prep time, which is really not much more time than you’d spend making a cup of instant cocoa!

If you serve this hot chocolate for holiday parties and get togethers check out my favorite holiday entertaining recipes like chocolate covered cherries , peppermint brownies and rum balls .

  • Slow Cooker Hot Chocolate Ingredients
  • How Do You Make Slow Cooker Hot Chocolate?
  • Tips For The Perfect Hot Chocolate
  • Quick Tip
  • Recipe FAQs
  • Slow Cooker Hot Chocolate Flavor Variations
  • Other Holiday Recipes You’ll Love
  • Love This Recipe?
  • Slow Cooker Hot Chocolate Recipe

Slow Cooker Hot Chocolate Ingredients

To make luscious slow cooker hot chocolate you will need cocoa powder, sweetened condensed milk, whole milk, cream, vanilla extract, semisweet chocolate chips and milk chocolate chips. Have some marshmallows and whipped cream handy for a garnish.

How Do You Make Slow Cooker Hot Chocolate?

This crock pot hot chocolate recipe is pretty simple. First place unsweetened cocoa powder, condensed milk, heavy cream, milk, vanilla extract, semi-sweet chocolate chips and milk chocolate chips in a slow cooker. Stir everything together. Heat the mixture on low for 2 hours. Stir everything again. You can use a spoon or a whisk. Turn the slow cooker to the “warm” setting. Serve the hot chocolate with your favorite toppings!

A mug of crock pot hot cocoa topped with whipped cream. - 2

Tips For The Perfect Hot Chocolate

  • If you want to cut a few calories, 1% or 2% milk is fine . I recommend against using skim milk.
  • I like to use a combination of semi-sweet chocolate chips and milk chocolate chips . You could use one or the other instead of both if you prefer.
  • When you first take the lid off your slow cooker, all the chocolate chips will have melted to the bottom. Simply stir, stir, stir and after a few minutes your hot chocolate will come together into a smooth and creamy drink.
  • I like to make a large batch of this slow cooker hot chocolate for the holidays. I leave it on the warm setting with a ladle and some mugs.

Quick Tip

For the creamiest hot chocolate use whole milk .

Slow cooker hot chocolate topped with an assortment of marshmallows. - 3

You can keep your hot chocolate in a slow cooker on the warm setting for 2 hours. Make sure that your slow cooker keeps the chocolate at a temperature of at least 140 degrees F.

Leftover hot chocolate will stay good up to three days in the fridge in an airtight container. If you put the drink in the fridge while it is still warm, make sure is away from perishable items and leave it unsealed until it cools off.

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Slow Cooker Hot Chocolate Flavor Variations

While this hot cocoa is creamy and satisfying as written, you can modify the recipe with other flavors to suit your own taste.

  • Peppermint: You can add a holiday twist by adding a few drops of peppermint extract and garnishing with candy canes. I’ve done this before and it’s a big hit!
  • Toppings: Marshmallows and whipped cream are the classic toppings. However, feel free to put chocolate sprinkles, mini chocolate chips, caramel sauce, chocolate sauce, sea salt or crushed candy canes on mugs of cocoa. You can leave the toppings out so guests can help themselves to a hot chocolate bar.
  • Alcohol: For an adult beverage version, try adding some Baileys Irish Cream or Peppermint Schnapps.

This slow cooker hot chocolate a fun little indulgence. It’s the best possible way to warm up on a chilly day. Throw out the hot cocoa packets and make your own delicious, creamy hot chocolate.

Other Holiday Recipes You’ll Love

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This recipe for no-bake Christmas wreath cookies has just six ingredients and can be made in 15 minutes. These cornflake wreaths are a festive addition to your holiday dessert table! - 6

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This Christmas cookie dough dip has a fluffy and creamy base that's swirled with plenty of holiday sprinkles and served with fruit and cookies for dipping. It only takes 5 minutes to make! #HolidayWithChobani Ad - 7

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These peppermint bark cookies are fun, festive and simple to make, plus tips for throwing the perfect holiday baking party. #HolidayMoments ad - 8

Peppermint Bark Cookies

35 mins

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Ingredients1x2x3x

  • ▢ 1/4 cup cocoa powder sifted
  • ▢ 1 14 ounce can sweetened condensed milk
  • ▢ 7 cups milk use whole milk for the creamiest hot chocolate!
  • ▢ 1 cup heavy cream can use half and half, but cream gives the best results
  • ▢ 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
  • ▢ 1 cup semisweet chocolate chips
  • ▢ 1 cup milk chocolate chips
  • ▢ Marshmallows, whipped cream, chocolate chips etc. for garnish

Instructions

  • Place the cocoa powder, condensed milk, heavy cream, milk, vanilla extract, semisweet chocolate chips and milk chocolate chips in a slow cooker. Stir to combine.
  • Cook on LOW for 2 hours. Stir well until thoroughly mixed. Turn the slow cooker to the KEEP WARM setting until you’re ready to serve the hot chocolate. Garnish with marshmallows and/or whipped cream if desired.

Notes

  1. For the creamiest hot chocolate use whole milk.
  2. If you want to cut a few calories, 1% or 2% milk is fine, but I would recommend against using skim milk.
  3. When you first take the lid off your slow cooker, all the chocolate chips will have melted to the bottom. Simply stir, stir, stir and after a few minutes your hot chocolate will come together into a smooth and creamy drink.

Nutrition

A crock pot full of slow cooker hot chocolate with marshmallows being ladled. - 9 A ladle full of slow cooker hot chocolate topped with marshmallows. - 10

Slow Cooker Hot Chocolate

Ingredients

  • 1/4 cup cocoa powder sifted
  • 1 14 ounce can sweetened condensed milk
  • 7 cups milk use whole milk for the creamiest hot chocolate!
  • 1 cup heavy cream can use half and half, but cream gives the best results
  • 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
  • 1 cup semisweet chocolate chips
  • 1 cup milk chocolate chips
  • Marshmallows, whipped cream, chocolate chips etc. for garnish

Instructions

  • Place the cocoa powder, condensed milk, heavy cream, milk, vanilla extract, semisweet chocolate chips and milk chocolate chips in a slow cooker. Stir to combine.
  • Cook on LOW for 2 hours. Stir well until thoroughly mixed. Turn the slow cooker to the KEEP WARM setting until you’re ready to serve the hot chocolate. Garnish with marshmallows and/or whipped cream if desired.

Notes

  1. For the creamiest hot chocolate use whole milk.
  2. If you want to cut a few calories, 1% or 2% milk is fine, but I would recommend against using skim milk.
  3. When you first take the lid off your slow cooker, all the chocolate chips will have melted to the bottom. Simply stir, stir, stir and after a few minutes your hot chocolate will come together into a smooth and creamy drink.

Nutrition