Crockpot Hot Chocolate: The Perfect Drink for a Crowd

Hot chocolate is the quintessential cozy drink for cool weather and holiday gatherings. This Crockpot Hot Chocolate recipe is a wonderful way to serve a large crowd with minimal effort. This rich, decadent drink uses a combination of milk, heavy cream, and chocolate to create a smooth, velvety beverage that everyone will love. Plus, it stays warm for hours, so guests can help themselves throughout an event.

Ingredients & What You’ll Need

• Whole Milk (8 cups): This is a half-gallon.
• Heavy Whipping Cream (2 cups): This is one pint.
• Granulated Sugar (¾ cup): For sweetness.
• Unsweetened Cocoa Powder (¼ cup): This adds a deep chocolate flavor.
• Semisweet Chocolate Chips (10 oz): This is about 1½ cups.
• Pure Vanilla Extract (1 tbsp): It enhances the flavor.
• Sea Salt (pinch): This helps to balance the sweetness.
• Homemade Whipped Cream (for serving): An optional but delicious topping.

How to Make Crockpot Hot Chocolate

Making this hot chocolate is incredibly easy. Just add the ingredients, whisk, and let the slow cooker work its magic.

Making the Hot Chocolate

First, add all of the ingredients in the order listed to the container of a 5-quart slow cooker. Be sure to add the whole milk, heavy whipping cream, granulated sugar, unsweetened cocoa powder, semisweet chocolate chips, pure vanilla extract, and a pinch of sea salt.

Now, you should whisk all of the ingredients together until they are well combined. Cook the mixture on high. You should whisk it occasionally, about every 15-20 minutes, until the sugar has dissolved and the chocolate chips are completely melted. This should take about 1 hour. Once the hot chocolate is warm and smooth, turn the crockpot to low or warm until you are ready to serve.

Tips for Perfect Crockpot Hot Chocolate

• Flavor and Sweetness: This recipe makes a rich and slightly dark hot chocolate. For a lighter version, you can use milk chocolate chips instead of semisweet.
• Ingredient Substitutions: You can use 2% milk, although whole milk will give you a creamier result. Half and half is an acceptable substitute for heavy cream. For sweeteners, white sugar, organic cane sugar, or honey all work well.
• Chocolate Type: While this recipe uses chocolate chips, you can use chopped chocolate bars instead. Just be sure to use 10 oz. Any chocolate variety works, including milk, dark, or even white chocolate.
• Storage: You can store any leftovers in a glass jar with a lid in the refrigerator for up to 5 days. To reheat it, simply use the microwave or the stovetop.

Final Thoughts

This Crockpot Hot Chocolate recipe is a comforting and convenient treat. It is perfect for a holiday party, a cozy movie night, or any time you need a delicious warm drink. It is rich, creamy, and wonderfully decadent, and it is sure to be a crowd-pleaser.