Slow Cooker Hot Chocolate Recipe

Why I Like This Recipe

• Simple ingredients. You can make slow cooker hot chocolate with 5 ingredients or less. Real chocolate (I use two types), cream, milk, and vanilla.
• Rich and creamy. Because this hot chocolate is made from melted chocolate and half and half, it's rich, creamy, and full of delicious flavor.
• Perfect for entertaining. The beauty of using a slow cooker is that it will keep the hot chocolate at the ideal temperature for a gathering.

Tips and Tricks

• Use quality chocolate. I'm usually not too picky when it comes to chocolate chips in cookies and baking. Still, when making chocolate fondue or hot chocolate, I highly recommend using Ghirardelli or Guittard chocolate chips. They melt down better than Toll House chocolate chips.
• Hot chocolate bar ideas. Start a pot before dinner and enjoy it with the family for dessert! This is also a GREAT way to serve a crowd or to set on the table at a hot chocolate bar with whipped cream, caramel sauce, and a variety of toppings like crushed candy canes and mini marshmallows.
• Stovetop variation. If you don't want to wait for the hot chocolate to come together in a slow cooker, you can make it on the stove, and it is just as delicious. Heat milk and half and half in a large pot on medium heat until it begins to simmer (stir/whisk to prevent scalding on the bottom of the pan). Remove from heat. Stir in vanilla and chocolate chips and continue to stir until the chocolate has melted.
• Homemade whipped cream. Homemade whipped cream is so easy to make and is delicious on top of a cup of hot chocolate. All you need is 2 tablespoons of sugar and 1 cup of heavy whipping cream. I like Alton Brown's tip for chilling the bowl before beating the cream. Whisk until the cream has stiff peaks. That's it!
• How to reheat slow cooker hot chocolate. Store leftovers in containers in the refrigerator. Mason jars work great. Reheat mixture in the microwave or, if you have a lot of hot chocolate to reheat, in the slow cooker on low heat until hot.

Ingredients

• Milk: Whole milk or 2% work well.
• Half and half: This gives the hot chocolate a creamy texture.
• Milk chocolate chips and semi-sweet chocolate chips: I use a combination of both for the best flavor and sweetness, but you can use whatever combination you'd like.
• Vanilla
• Marshmallows, whipped cream, and any other toppings you'd like. My favorite freeze-dried mini marshmallows can be purchased on Amazon. I also like setting out a jar of homemade nonpareil chocolates to mix into hot chocolate.

See the recipe card for full information on ingredients and quantities.

How To Make Slow Cooker Hot Chocolate

Step 1: Add everything to your large slow cooker. Stir.

Step 2: Heat on low for 2 hours or until the chocolate chips have melted completely. Stir.

Taste, and add more chocolate chips if desired. 

Serving: Keep on warm setting while serving. One big batch makes 16 delicious mugs (cups) of hot chocolate.

Slow Cooker Hot Chocolate FAQs

More Hot Chocolate Recipes To Make

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