Creamy, rich, and decadent, this slow cooker hot chocolate is made with real melted chocolate and makes enough to serve a crowd. The best part is it takes just a few minutes to prep, and then the slow cooker takes over. A mug of this easy homemade hot chocolate is sure to warm you up and chase away any winter bluesโdon’t forget the whipped cream or marshmallows!
I originally published this recipe in 2016 and have since added new photos and additional success tips.
Eat your chocolate and drink it, too!
I shared this recipe years ago, and it has become a cold-weather must-have that tastes especially soul-warming on chilly snow days.
One reader, Laurie, commented: “I made this for Christmas Eve this year. It was delicious and decadent. Rich chocolate flavor that left you satisfied. I added a mini candy cane, miniature marshmallows, and whipped cream on top. Oh my! โ โ โ โ โ “
Another reader, Michelle, commented: “This was so delicious, I went back for seconds and then thirds. I fear I would have consumed the whole slow cooker if there weren’t others to (begrudgingly) share with. โ โ โ โ โ ”
Homemade Hot Chocolate: Easier Than You Think!
The process is *almost* as easy as ripping open a packet of store-bought hot cocoa mix. Toss all of the ingredients together in your slow cooker, whisk every now and then, and it’s done. The “recipe” takes just 10 minutes of prep and either 5 hours on low or 3 hours on high. Have it warming in the slow cooker for all your cookie or gift exchange parties, holiday parties, snow days, and other cold-weather gatherings.
This hot chocolate is made in the slow cookerโa versatile kitchen device that’s not just for savory meals like sweet potato turkey chili or turkey meatballs.
It’s mega creamy and so undeniably chocolate-y and rich that it should come with a warning label. It honestly tastes like pure melted chocolate with a creamy, frothy consistency. Because guess what? It’s made with pure melted chocolate!
Grab These Ingredients For Your Slow Cooker Hot Chocolate
The full printable recipe is below, but let me walk you through each ingredient so you understand their importance. To ensure each sip is as delicious as intended, avoid making substitutions unless otherwise noted.
- Whole Milk – This is the base of the drink, and I choose whole milk to ensure a thick, rich consistency. Skim milk, 1%, or 2% would be fine, as long as you keep the heavy cream.
- Heavy Cream – For the silkiest, creamiest consistency, I strongly recommend using heavy cream. This is especially important if you’re using a reduced fat milk. If you’re using whole milk, half-and-half would be a fine substitution for the heavy cream.
- Sugar – To sweeten the drink.
- Semi-sweet Chocolate – Use 8 ounces of semi-sweet chocolateโthe bars sold in the baking aisle next to the chocolate chips. Semi-sweet is best because it brings the perfect balance of sweetness and rich chocolate flavor. Bittersweet chocolate can work in its place, but avoid using unsweetened chocolate. While it’s wonderful in some baking recipes, it lacks the natural sweetness needed for your hot chocolate beverage!
- Cocoa Powder – This adds more cocoa flavor, and helps keep the mixture thick. You can use natural or dutch-process cocoa here.
- Vanilla Extract – For flavor. It’s not just for vanilla-flavored baked goods!
No, I strongly recommend using chocolate bars such as 2 4-ounce bars of Ghirardelli or Bakers brand semi-sweet chocolate. Save chocolate chips for chocolate chip cookies. Why? Chocolate chips do not melt down very easily and will separate from the liquid in the hot cocoa beverage.
Yes, absolutely. Whisk the milk, cream, and sugar together in aย large dutch oven or pot set over medium-low heat. Once simmering around the edges, whisk in the remaining ingredients. Whisk occasionally until the mixture has warmed through and chocolate is melted, about 20 minutes.
Whisk all of the ingredients together in your slow cooker. If you need a recommendation, I own and love this one. Any slow cooker between 4.5 to 7 quarts is fine. The pictured one is by the same brand and I bought it at Target. I can’t find the same exact color any longer, but here it is in a darker blue shade.
As the slow cooker does its job, be sure to whisk the mixture every 45 minutes to 1 hour. Cook it on low for 5 hours or on high for 3 hours.
Required for serving: lots of marshmallows or even homemade marshmallows. Or even a (BIG) dollop of homemade whipped cream! And if you really want to go overboard with dessert (donโt we all?), serve this hot chocolate with hot cocoa cookies.
Optional Toppings & Flavors:
- Caramel: Drizzle a little salted caramel on top of each serving.
- Peppermint: Whisk 1/2 teaspoon of peppermint extract into the mixture when you add the vanilla extract. As the cocoa warms, taste, and add more if desired. Garnish each mug with a candy cane.
- Espresso: Before mixing all of the ingredients together in the slow cooker, warm 1 cup of whole milk in the microwave or on the stove. Whisk 1 Tablespoon of espresso powder into it, then combine the espresso milk with the other ingredients in the slow cooker per the recipe instructions.
Homemade Slow Cooker Hot Chocolate
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 5 hours
- Total Time: 5 hours, 10 minutes
- Yield: about 10 cups
- Category: Beverage
- Method: Slow Cooker
- Cuisine: American
Description
This is extra creamy, extra rich, and gloriously decadent slow cooker hot chocolate made in the crockpot. Be sure to whisk the mixture every 45 minutes to 1 hour to ensure the chocolate isn’t burning on the bottom. See recipe Note for stove-top recipe.
Ingredients
- 6 cups (1440ml) whole milk (skim, 1%, or 2% are OK)
- 2 cups (480ml) heavy cream
- 1/2 cup (100g) granulated sugar
- 8 ounces (226g) semi-sweet chocolate, coarsely chopped
- 1/4 cup (21g) unsweetened natural cocoa powder or dutch-process cocoa powder
- 2 teaspoons pure vanilla extract
- toppings: marshmallows, whipped cream, candy canes, salted caramel, etc.
Instructions
- Place all of the ingredients into a large slow cooker. (Here’s one I own and love!) Vigorously whisk to get the cocoa powder as mixed in as possibleโyou don’t want it all floating on the top. Keep whisking for a minute or 2 until it’s all combined.
- Cook on low for 5 hours or on high for 3 hours, whisking the mixture every 45 minutes to 1 hour to ensure the chocolate isn’t burning on the bottom.
- Ladle the hot chocolate into mugs and top with marshmallows or other optional toppings.
- Store leftovers in the refrigerator and warm up on the stove or in the microwave.
Notes
- Special Tools (affiliate links)ย Large Crock Pot | Whisk | Clear Glass Mugsย (I love these mugs!)
- Heavy Cream: For the silkiest, creamiest consistency, I strongly recommend using heavy cream. This is especially important if you’re using a reduced fat milk. If you’re using whole milk, half-and-half would be a fine substitution for the heavy cream.
- Can I Use Chocolate Chips? No, I strongly recommend using chocolate bars such as 2 4-ounce bars of Ghirardelli or Bakers brand semi-sweet chocolate.ย Chocolate chips do not melt down very easily and will separate from the liquid in the hot cocoa beverage.
- No slow cooker? No problem! Whisk the milk, cream, and sugar together in aย large dutch oven or pot set over medium-low heat. Once simmering around the edges, whisk in the remaining ingredients. Whisk occasionally until the mixture has warmed through and chocolate is melted, about 20 minutes.
Reader Comments and Reviews
I find the best hot chocolate ever is made with cocoa that has not been dutch processed… the flavors are so much more rounded and natural…
This truly sounds like a five star recipe! Getting ready to make it for 65 people. Wondering if I can make this recipe the day before and then put it in all my crockpots the day of the shower to warm? Didnโt know if it would change the consistency or the flavor?! Thank you!
Hi Karen, absolutely. Store in the refrigerator overnight and warm up in your slow cooker the next morning. Enjoy!
I made this on stovetop and poured it into my Instant Pot on the Keep Warm setting. It was just the right amount of sweetness for grown-ups and young children. My Halloween party guests emptied the whole pot. I served it with mini marshmallows. Thanks!
Made it on the stove top and doubled the recipe. Used an immersion blender before adding the chocolate bars since I wasnโt prepared to stir that often. I also gave it another blast with the blender before putting in crock pot. It was super sweet and not watery like powdered mixes. I didnโt add the espresso but I will next time. Iโm guessing that only a few tablespoons wonโt change the flavor but might enhance the chocolate? The vanilla is a must! Soooo yummy!
What a great idea! We host an annual holiday party & this will now be part of the menu. I visualize a hot chocolate bar with fun additions: mini marshmallows, candy canes, Irish Cream etc. Thanks for a festive addition!
Hey Sally!
I made this and my kids truly hated it! They said it wasnโt sweet enough! Itโs possibly I could have forgotten the sugar but I donโt think so. Any idea of why this would happen?
Hi Nicola, if you wish to try it again, you can always increase the sugar a bit or use milk chocolate bars rather than semi-sweet. Let us know if you do!
I doubled this recipe, and it has cooked for 5 hours on low, now every time I stir it has a lite film of what looks like the semi-sweet chocolate on it, it stirs right in is this the way it is supposed to be?
It is not very thick, is there any way to thicken it?
Absolutely delicious! I halved the recipe (for my two person household) and made it on the stove top – I somehow don’t like the idea of whisking anything in the slow cooker every 45 minutes. Also, I followed a commenter’s tip and mixed milk, cream, sugar and cocoa with submersion blender before heating… sooo smooth. So far, I’ve made this hot chocolate about 5 or 6 times, which shows how much we love it. Thank you so much Sally for this perfect recipe!!!
Can I make this and save it and then when I want to serve it put it into a coffee pot server to heat it up this is a large pot to make 45 cups of coffee and also used to serve other things, it would make it so much easier to serve
Hi Diana, without knowing exactly what type of coffee server you are using, I can’t say for sure, but I think that should be fine.
I love the taste but expected in to be creamier. Still taste fantastic but not sure why is was the constant of milk
Iโve followed the directions but find chunks of skin form. I strain it but it only helps a little. What am I doing wrong?
Hi Grace, happy to help troubleshoot. Are you whisking the hot chocolate every 45 minutes or so?
I was wondering if this could be made ahead and frozen? Sounds delicious. I’d like to have it on hand when company comes
Does this mixture store well? There is only my husband and myself to drink this delicious sounding hot chocolate. PS I LOVE your website. Your Carrot Cake is the BEST I have ever tasted!
Hi Fran, You can store leftovers in the refrigerator and warm up on the stove or in the microwave.
I wanna make this for an upcoming gathering but some of the people who will be coming are diabetic. Do you have any suggestions on the best way to make this sugar free? I was thinking about replacing the sugar with a tsp of liquid stevia but wanted to see if you had any suggestions before I try.
Hi CJ, we’d love to help but we are not trained in baking with sugar substitutes. For best taste and texture (and so you don’t waste your time trying to adapt this recipe since it may not work properly), it may be more useful to find a recipe that is specifically formulated for sugar substitutes. But let us know if you try it here!
Can you refrigerate leftovers and reheat?
You bet! Store leftovers in the refrigerator and warm up on the stove or in the microwave.
We had a secret Santa exchange party at our house for 12 teenagers and this was a hit. I set up a hot cocoa bar with various toppings. It was so good. Another keeper recipe from Sally.
Hi Sally! Huge fan of your photos and blog….just wondering what camera you use and what your go-to lenses are? TIA:)
Hi Denae, Sally’s post on food photography is from a while ago, but still holds true today!
Delicious with a few instruction changes. Add to the crock pot the milk, sugar, cocoa and vanilla and mix well with submersion blender or blender. Then add the rest of the ingredients and follow the same directions. This ensures that the cocoa really gets mixed in.
Love your hot chocolate recipe! How would you recommend preparing ahead for a holiday party? Will need to make several batches.
Hi Jen! If making several batches, you could use the faster stovetop method instead, detailed in the recipe notes. Store in the fridge and re-warm before serving.
I am excited to make this recipe later this week for my son’s class party! I need enough for 24 second graders to each have a small mug. Can I double the recipe in one large slow cooker? Any special considerations when doubling the batch?
Hi Paige, you certainly can if your slow cooker can accommodate it. You may need to warm for longer because of the added volume. Hope it’s a big hit!
Hi, I think I have a question for you: Sometime during this upcoming Holiday season in December 2024, then could you, by any chance, please have “The Polar Express” Hot Chocolate recipe added into your website? Thanks! ๐
What a fun idea, Stephanie!
Thanks a lot, Trina! ๐ And also, I think I have another question for you: Do you, by any chance, think that “The Polar Express” Hot Chocolate recipe will have a YouTube video as well? Thanks again! ๐
This looks so yum! Do you think Iโd be able to transfer this to a warm beverage server (the portable kind with a lever or pump)? Or would the chocolate just sink to the bottom. Iโm trying to have a hot chocolate station at a birthday party outdoors and was trying to avoid doing water with packets.
I don’t see why it wouldn’t work, though I can’t guarantee it as we don’t have your beverage server to test it. Hope it turns out great!
Thanks! Iโll report back for you with the brand of server. Maybe a test run is in order!
Did it work in the carafe? We have a push style that we’d like to use but not sure if it’ll work.
I would love to know if this worked in your beverage server. I’m afraid to try it because I fear it might clog up the nozzle.
Can we swap out heavy cream for half and half?
Hi Amy, you can, it just won’t be quite as creamy.
I made this for Christmas Eve this year. It was delicious and decadent. Rich chocolate flavor that left you satisfied. I added a mini candy cane, miniature marshmallows and whipped cream on top. Oh my! The only thing I would do different is to chop the chocolate a little finer. Some of the chocolate stayed a little chunky ( not a bad thing) but I would chop it more. You can also add a little rum or bourbon or whatever else floats your boat. I will definitely be making this again and again and definitely for the holidays every year. Cooked mine on slow for 6 hours. Very rich and delicious.