Crock-Pot Hot Chocolate - Thick and Creamy - a favorite Christmas Eve Tradition. (2024)

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What could be better on a chilly day than a mug of homemade hot chocolate? Make this sweet, creamy chocolate drink for your family and friends easily with our perfect Crock Pot Hot Chocolate recipe. Mix the cream, milk, condensed milk, cocoa, vanilla, and chocolate chips in your slow cooker and in two hours you have rich hot chocolate, ready for you to add your favorite toppings and enjoy.

Crock Pot Hot Chocolate Recipe

A big mug of hot cocoa is something special to make the winter months feel more warm and cozy. We love to make a big batch of this Crockpot Hot Chocolate for a movie night, Christmas party or cookie making night, to warm up after playing outside in the cold weather, or any chilly afternoon after school and work.

I made this slow cooker hot chocolate again recently for a gathering and they all raved about it and said it was the best hot cocoa they have ever had. This recipe is a keeper for sure!

Pair your homemade hot cocoa with one of these delicious recipes: Homemade Whipped Cream | Hot Chocolate Brownie Bites | Sugar Plum Marshmallows | No Bake Avalanche Cookies | Christmas Light Cookies | Chocolate Crinkle Cookies

Watch This Recipe Video!

The Ingredients

Here’s what you’ll need to make Crockpot Hot Chocolate (the exact measurements and full recipe instructions are below in the easy to print recipe card):

• Heavy cream – heavy cream or heavy whipping cream makes the hot chocolate super creamy and rich.
• Whole milk – whole milk is best, but 2% or 1% can work as well.
• Sweetened condensed milk – the sweet milk adds just the right amount of sugar to the hot chocolate.
• Unsweetened cocoa powder – this may also be called “baking cocoa” and you’ll find it in the baking aisle of your grocery store.
• Vanilla extract – use a good pure vanilla extract if possible.
• Chocolate chips – we used semi sweet chocolate chips, but dark chocolate or milk chocolate chips will work too.

How to Make Hot Chocolate in a Crock Pot

In a medium slow cooker, whisk together the heavy cream, whole milk, sweetened condensed milk, cocoa powder, and vanilla extract, then stir in the chocolate chips.

Note: the cocoa will likely not mix in well, but it will incorporate into the liquid during the heating.

Set the slow cooker to low and cover. Heat for two hours, stirring occasionally.

Serve the hot cocoa in mugs with the toppings of your choice. Whipped cream and marshmallows are our favorites!

Hot Chocolate Topping Ideas

• Whipped cream – use our homemade whipped cream recipe or canned whipped cream.
• Chocolate sauce
• Crushed peppermint candies
• Candy canes
• Marshmallows – mini marshmallows are a classic hot chocolate topping, but really wow your friends and family by making these easy homemade marshmallows.
• Caramel sauce
• Cocoa powder or cinnamon to dust over top of the whipped cream on hot chocolate
• Chocolate mint candies
• Hershey’s Kisses
• Chocolate shavings

Tip: for a Christmas party, make an extra large batch of Crockpot Hot Chocolate and create a hot chocolate bar with all of the toppings above. It’s a holiday gathering win every time!

How to Store Leftover Hot Chocolate

Keep any leftover hot chocolate in an airtight food storage container or a large jar with a lid. Refrigerate it for up to three days, reheating individual portions in microwave-safe mugs in the microwave until hot, or in a saucepan over medium heat.

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