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    Home » Crockpot Hot Chocolate

    Crockpot Hot Chocolate

    Published: Nov 26, 2022 by Laura · This post may contain affiliate links.

    Jump to Recipe

    The best crockpot hot chocolate – it’s smooth, creamy rich & irresistibly chocolatey. This large batch of slow cooker hot chocolate is the perfect to serve at holiday parties!

    a glass mug full of Crockpot Hot Chocolate topped with whipped cream

    I host our homeschool Christmas party every year with over 50 people. So, I created this crockpot hot chocolate recipe as the ultimate hot cocoa to serve at a large gathering!

    This slow cooker hot chocolate is so much more delicious than any powered mix. Made with two forms of chocolate, whole milk and heavy cream - it's rich & creamy and irresistibly chocolatey. Pure chocolate decadence in drink form.

    In this crockpot hot chocolate recipe, the ingredients are cooked on high for about 1 hour. Once the chocolate is melted and sugar dissolved, the mixture is kept warm in the slow cooker. This way, guests can enjoy the warm slow cooker hot chocolate throughout the party.

    Crockpot Hot Chocolate being poured into a glass mug

    Crockpot hot chocolate: Ingredients & substitutions

    • Whole milk. Technically 2% milk would work in this recipe. However, for the creamiest hot chocolate I recommend using whole.
    • Heavy cream. Half and half is an acceptable substitute for heavy cream.
    • Granulated sugar. white sugar, organic cane sugar and honey all work well to sweeten the recipe.
    • Semisweet chocolate. I use chocolate chips to make this recipe easy to make. You can chop your favorite chocolate bars, just be sure to use 10 oz. Any chocolate variety works well - milk, semisweet, dark, or even white chocolate!
    • Vanilla extract. vanilla bean paste or the seeds from one vanilla bean are good substitutes.
    overhead view of the ingredients in this Crockpot Hot Chocolate recipe

    How to Make Crockpot hot Chocolate

    I love this slow cooker hot chocolate recipe because it's easy to make and is the best to serve to party guests. We'll walk through the process step-by-step, and don't forget to watch the video.

    two photos showing How to Make Crockpot Hot Chocolate - pouring milk and cream into the slow cooker

    Begin by adding the ingredients in the order listed to the container of a 5-quart slow cooker. Whisk to combine.

    I suggest whisking the cocoa powder into the liquid before adding the chocolate chips.

    two photos showing How to Make Crockpot Hot Chocolate - adding sugar and cocoa powder to the slow cooker
    two photos showing How to Make Crockpot Hot Chocolate - adding chocolate chips and vanilla to the crockpot

    Next, cook the mixture on high, whisking occasionally (every 15-20 minutes or so) until the sugar is dissolved and the chocolate chips are melted (about 1 hour).

    two photos showing How to Make Crockpot Hot Chocolate - whisking the ingredients

    Once the hot chocolate is warm and smooth, turn the crockpot to low or warm until it's time to serve.

    Alternately, you can warm it on low for longer, still whisking occasionally. I like to melt the ingredients quickly, which is why I choose to cook it on high then switch to warm.

    a ladle pouring Crockpot Hot Chocolate into a glass mug

    Serve

    I use a stainless steel ladle to serve the crockpot hot chocolate. If you're hosting a large gathering, set out mugs or heat-proof cups and put the ladle on a spoon rest next to the crockpot. Then guests can serve themselves hot chocolate whenever they want to enjoy it!

    I like to leave bowls of toppings next to the crockpot for guests to enjoy. I recommend homemade whipped cream and mini marshmallows!

    Store

    Store leftovers in a glass jar with a lid in the refrigerator for up to 5 days. Reheat in the microwave or on the stovetop. Sometimes I even use leftovers to put in my coffee in the morning!

    whipped cream being piped on top of a glass mug full of Crockpot Hot Chocolate

    Recipe FAQs

    Can I double this recipe?

    Yes, absolutely, this recipe is easily doubled. Just be sure to use a crockpot with a large enough capacity (a single batch fills one, 5-quart crockpot), or use two crockpots.

    How do you keep hot chocolate warm for a crowd?

    This crockpot hot chocolate is the perfect recipe to make because the slow cooker keeps the beverage warm without burning it!

    a glass mug of Crockpot Hot Chocolate topped with whipped cream

    If you make and love our recipes, it would mean so much to me if you would leave a comment and rating! And don't forget to follow along with us on Instagram, Pinterest, Facebook, and Youtube - be sure to tag @joyfoodsunshine and use the hashtag #joyfoodsunshine so we can your creations!

    Crockpot Hot Chocolate Recipe

    Laura
    The best crockpot hot chocolate – it’s smooth, creamy rich& irresistibly chocolatey. This large batch of slow cooker hot chocolate isthe perfect to serve at holiday parties!
    5 from 5 votes
    Print Recipe Pin Recipe Save Recipe Saved!
    Prep Time 15 mins
    Cook Time 1 hr
    1 hr
    Total Time 15 mins
    Course beverage, Dessert, Drinks
    Cuisine American
    Servings 16 Servings
    Calories 318 kcal

    Equipment

    • Slow Cooker
    • measuring spoons
    • measuring cups
    • whisk
    • ladle

    Ingredients
     
     

    • 8 cups whole milk (half gallon)
    • 2 cups heavy whipping cream one pint
    • ¾ cup granulated sugar
    • ¼ cup unsweetened cocoa powder
    • 10 oz semisweet chocolate chips (1 ½ cups)
    • 1 tablespoon pure vanilla extract
    • Pinch sea salt
    • Homemade Whipped Cream (for serving)

    Instructions
     

    • Add the ingredients in the order listed to the container of a 5-quart slow cooker and whisk to combine.
    • Cook the mixture on high, whisking occasionally (every 15-20 minutes or so) until the sugar is dissolved and the chocolate chips are melted (about 1 hour).
    • Once the hot chocolate is warm and smooth, turn the crockpot to low or warm until you are ready to serve.

    Video

    Notes

    This makes a rich hot chocolate (a little dark), if you like lighter use chocolate chips or chopped chocolate such as milk chocolate.

    Ingredient Substitutions

    • Whole milk. Technically 2% milk would work in this recipe. However, for the creamiest hot chocolate I recommend using whole.
    • Heavy cream. Half and half is an acceptable substitute for heavy cream.
    • Granulated sugar. white sugar, organic cane sugar and honey all work well to sweeten the recipe.
    • Semisweet chocolate. I use chocolate chips to make this recipe easy to make. You can chop your favorite chocolate bars, just be sure to use 10 oz. Any chocolate variety works well - milk, semisweet, dark, or even white chocolate!
    • Vanilla extract. vanilla bean paste or the seeds from one vanilla bean can be used in place of vanilla extract.

    Store

    If you have leftovers, store them in a glass jar with a lid in the refrigerator for up to 5 days. Reheat in the microwave or on the stovetop. Sometimes I even use leftovers to put in my coffee in the morning!

    Nutrition

    Serving: 1cupCalories: 318kcalCarbohydrates: 26gProtein: 6gFat: 22gSaturated Fat: 13gPolyunsaturated Fat: 1gMonounsaturated Fat: 6gTrans Fat: 1gCholesterol: 49mgSodium: 57mgPotassium: 334mgFiber: 2gSugar: 23gVitamin A: 644IUVitamin C: 1mgCalcium: 183mgIron: 1mg
    Tried this recipe?Let us know how it was!

    This post contains affiliate links, which means that if you purchase a product through a link you clicked on here, I receive a portion of the sale. Thank you for supporting JoyFoodSunshine! 

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    Reader Interactions

    Comments

    1. Ann

      December 18, 2022 at 11:11 am

      5 stars
      Made this for my family’s Christmas party and it was a hit! So smooth and delicious and it reheated wonderfully throughout the rest of the week.

      Reply
      • Laura

        December 19, 2022 at 7:28 am

        Thank you so much, Ann!

        Reply
    2. Courtney

      December 18, 2022 at 7:40 am

      5 stars
      This hot chocolate is rich and creamy and SO flavourful. We loved it!!! The crockpot makes it easy peasy - making it again today for a Christmas party!

      Reply
      • Laura

        December 19, 2022 at 7:04 am

        I'm so glad you love it Courtney! I hope you have a fun party!

        Reply

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    About Laura

    I’m Laura, a former chemistry teacher turned homeschooling mom of six beautiful babies! I create simple and delicious recipes that are tested and perfected to make cooking and baking joyful and fun!

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