Imagine coming home on a chilly evening to the rich, comforting aroma of hot chocolate, without lifting a finger after the initial prep. Forget standing over the stove, constantly stirring, and say hello to the easiest, most decadent treat you can imagine! That’s right, we’re talking about Easy Crockpot Hot Chocolate- Dreamy & Simple! Get ready to learn how to create a batch of hot chocolate so good, it’ll rival any café concoction, all with the magic of your slow cooker.
Gathering Your Heavenly Ingredients
Here’s everything you need to make the most amazing crockpot hot chocolate you’ve ever tasted! Don’t worry, it’s mostly pantry staples.
The Chocolate Base:
- Heavy Cream: 4 cups – This is the key to richness and creaminess. Don’t skimp!
- Whole Milk: 4 cups – Provides the perfect balance of moisture and flavor.
- Semi-Sweet Chocolate Chips: 2 cups – Adds the classic chocolate flavor we all crave.
- Milk Chocolate Chips: 1 cup – Contributes to the sweetness and overall deliciousness.
The Flavor Enhancers:
- Unsweetened Cocoa Powder: 1/4 cup – Deepens the chocolate flavor and adds complexity.
- Granulated Sugar: 1/2 cup – Adjust to your preferred sweetness level.
- Vanilla Extract: 2 teaspoons – Enhances all the other flavors. Trust me on this one!
- Salt: 1/4 teaspoon – Just a pinch to balance the sweetness.
Optional, but Recommended!:
- Marshmallows: For topping, of course! Mini marshmallows melt beautifully into the hot chocolate as well.
- Whipped Cream: Because, why not?
- Chocolate Shavings: For a fancy touch.
- Peppermint Extract: 1/4 teaspoon (or peppermint sticks) for a festive twist!
Step-by-Step to Chocolate Bliss
Let’s get this party started! This is so easy, you’ll wonder why you haven’t been making hot chocolate this way forever.
Putting It All Together:
- Combine Ingredients: In your crockpot, whisk together the heavy cream, whole milk, semi-sweet chocolate chips, milk chocolate chips, unsweetened cocoa powder, granulated sugar, vanilla extract, and salt. Make sure everything is well combined.
- Slow Cook to Perfection: Cover the crockpot and cook on low for 2-3 hours, stirring occasionally. The chocolate chips should be completely melted, and the mixture should be smooth and creamy. Be patient – the low and slow cooking is what makes this so dreamy!
- Keep Warm: Once the hot chocolate is ready, switch the crockpot to the “warm” setting to keep it at the perfect temperature for serving.
Serving Suggestions:
- Ladle into mugs and top with marshmallows, whipped cream, chocolate shavings, or any other toppings you love!
- If you added peppermint extract, garnish with a candy cane for an extra festive touch.
- Serve immediately and enjoy the warmth and deliciousness!
The Secret to Ultra-Creamy Hot Chocolate
Want to take your crockpot hot chocolate to the next level? Here are a few tricks I’ve learned over the years!
- Don’t Overcook: Overcooking can cause the milk to scald and the chocolate to seize. Keep an eye on it and stir occasionally.
- Use High-Quality Chocolate: The better the chocolate, the better the hot chocolate! I prefer a mix of semi-sweet and milk chocolate chips for a balanced flavor, but feel free to experiment with different types of chocolate.
- Whisk, Whisk, Whisk: Make sure all the ingredients are well combined before you start cooking. This will help prevent the chocolate from clumping.
- Adjust the Sweetness: The amount of sugar in this recipe is just a suggestion. Feel free to add more or less to suit your taste. You could even use a natural sweetener like maple syrup or honey.
Spice It Up: Fun Flavor Variations
The beauty of this recipe is that it’s so versatile! You can easily customize it to create your own unique flavor combinations. Here are a few of my favorites:
- Mexican Hot Chocolate: Add a pinch of cinnamon and a dash of cayenne pepper for a warm, spicy kick.
- Peanut Butter Hot Chocolate: Stir in a few tablespoons of peanut butter for a creamy, nutty treat.
- Salted Caramel Hot Chocolate: Drizzle caramel sauce over the top and sprinkle with sea salt. For a real caramel fix, consider making CROCKPOT CARAMEL APPLE MAGIC after your hot chocolate is gone!
- Mocha Hot Chocolate: Add a shot of espresso or a tablespoon of instant coffee for a caffeinated boost.
- White Chocolate Hot Chocolate: Substitute white chocolate chips for the semi-sweet chocolate chips.
Choosing the Right Crockpot
The size of your crockpot matters! Here’s a quick guide:
- Small (3-4 quart): Perfect for a smaller batch, serving 4-6 people.
- Medium (5-6 quart): Ideal for a larger gathering, serving 8-10 people.
- Large (7-8 quart): Great for parties and potlucks, serving 12+ people.
No matter what size you choose, make sure it’s in good working order. A well-maintained crockpot will ensure even cooking and prevent scorching.
Troubleshooting Your Crockpot Hot Chocolate
Sometimes, things don’t go exactly as planned. Here are a few common issues and how to fix them:
- Chocolate is Clumping: Make sure you whisk all the ingredients together thoroughly before cooking. If the chocolate starts to clump, try whisking it again vigorously.
- Hot Chocolate is Too Thick: Add a little more milk to thin it out.
- Hot Chocolate is Too Thin: Cook it for a little longer, uncovered, to allow some of the liquid to evaporate.
- Hot Chocolate is Scorching: If you smell a burnt odor, turn off the crockpot immediately and transfer the hot chocolate to a different container. This is why stirring occasionally is so important!
More Delicious Fall & Winter Drinks To Try
If you are feeling festive and are craving more warm, comforting drinks, here are a few of my personal favorites:
- For a fall-inspired drink, try PUMPKIN SPICE MILK. It’s like autumn in a glass!
- Craving a bit of a tang? You absolutely cannot go wrong with STARBUCKS CIDER.
- And of course, if you really want to take your coffee game up a notch, give PUMPKIN SPICE LATTE PERFECTION a try!
The Best Time to Make Crockpot Hot Chocolate
Honestly, anytime is a good time for hot chocolate! But here are a few occasions where it’s especially perfect:
- Holiday Gatherings: This is a crowd-pleaser that everyone will love.
- Snowy Days: Cozy up by the fire with a mug of warm hot chocolate.
- Movie Nights: A perfect treat to enjoy while watching your favorite films.
- Birthday Parties: A fun and festive addition to any celebration.
- Just Because: Sometimes, you just need a little bit of chocolate to brighten your day! You might even want to make some extra STARBUCKS PUMPKIN SPICE SYRUP to drizzle on top!
Why I Love This Recipe
This recipe is truly special to me because it’s so simple yet so satisfying. It’s a classic comfort food that always brings a smile to my face. Plus, it’s a great way to get the kids involved in the kitchen! They’ll love helping you measure out the ingredients and add the toppings. And let’s be honest, who doesn’t love a warm mug of HOT CHOCOLATE RECIPE on a cold day?
So, there you have it! My super easy, super dreamy crockpot hot chocolate recipe. I hope you love it as much as I do! Happy sipping!
What is the key to making this crockpot hot chocolate extra creamy?
Using heavy cream is crucial for achieving a rich and creamy texture. The recipe calls for 4 cups of heavy cream.
Can I adjust the sweetness of the hot chocolate?
Yes, you can adjust the amount of granulated sugar to your preferred sweetness level. The recipe suggests 1/2 cup, but you can add more or less, or even use a natural sweetener like maple syrup or honey.
What size crockpot should I use for this recipe?
The best size crockpot depends on how many people you’re serving. A 3-4 quart crockpot is suitable for 4-6 people, a 5-6 quart for 8-10 people, and a 7-8 quart for 12+ people.
What can I do if my hot chocolate becomes too thick?
If the hot chocolate becomes too thick, you can add a little more milk to thin it out to your desired consistency.
Dreamy Crockpot Hot Chocolate
Equipment
- Crockpot (slow cooker)
- Whisk
- Measuring cups
- Measuring spoons
- Ladle
- Mugs for serving
Ingredients
- 4 cups heavy cream
- 4 cups whole milk
- 2 cups semi-sweet chocolate chips
- 1 cup milk chocolate chips
- ¼ cup unsweetened cocoa powder
- ½ cup granulated sugar
- 2 teaspoons vanilla extract
- ¼ teaspoon salt
- Marshmallows, for topping optional
- Whipped cream, for topping optional
- Chocolate shavings, for topping optional
- Peppermint extract, 1/4 teaspoon optional
- Candy canes, for garnish optional
Instructions
- In your crockpot, whisk together the heavy cream, whole milk, semi-sweet chocolate chips, milk chocolate chips, unsweetened cocoa powder, granulated sugar, vanilla extract, and salt until well combined.
- Cover the crockpot and cook on low for 2-3 hours, stirring occasionally, until the chocolate chips are completely melted and the mixture is smooth and creamy.
- Once the hot chocolate is ready, switch the crockpot to the ‘warm’ setting to keep it at the perfect temperature for serving.
- Ladle the hot chocolate into mugs and top with marshmallows, whipped cream, chocolate shavings, or any other desired toppings.
- If you added peppermint extract, garnish with a candy cane for an extra festive touch.
- Serve immediately and enjoy.
