Ultimate Creamy Crockpot Hot Chocolate: The Best Big Batch Recipe for Cozy Gatherings
Prepare to delight your senses with this incredible big batch crockpot hot chocolate! It’s a supremely rich, wonderfully creamy, and deeply chocolatey beverage, lovingly crafted with not one, not two, but three distinct types of chocolate. This recipe is an absolute dream for anyone looking to simplify holiday entertaining, effortlessly serving a crowd with a warm, comforting treat. It’s equally perfect for those serene moments when you simply want to cozy up on the couch with a luxurious mug of cocoa on a chilly day. Forget the fuss of stovetop stirring; your slow cooker handles the magic, leaving you free to enjoy the delightful aroma filling your home.
Why This Slow Cooker Hot Chocolate Recipe is a Must-Try
This crockpot hot chocolate recipe isn’t just another sweet drink; it’s an experience in a mug, designed for maximum flavor and minimal effort. The secret to its undeniable indulgence lies in the luxurious blend of three distinct types of chocolate – rich dark chocolate, creamy white chocolate, and classic milk chocolate. This thoughtful combination creates a depth of flavor that a single chocolate type simply can’t match, offering a harmonious balance of sweet, slightly bitter, and profoundly decadent notes.
Beyond its exquisite taste, the true genius of this recipe lies in its ease, making it the ultimate big-batch solution for any gathering. Whether you’re hosting a festive holiday party, a cozy winter brunch, or a casual get-together, this slow cooker method is a game-changer. Simply “dump and go” – all the ingredients are combined in your slow cooker, eliminating the need for constant supervision or last-minute prep. With just a few stirs every 30 minutes, your rich, velvety hot chocolate will be ready to serve in approximately 2 hours, leaving you free to mingle with guests or relax by the fire. The captivating aroma of melting chocolate and warm dairy will envelop your home, creating an inviting atmosphere that guests will adore. It’s a hands-off approach to hospitality that never compromises on taste or quality.
And let’s not forget the fun part: setting up a spectacular hot chocolate bar! Elevate your serving station with an array of delightful garnishes. Think fluffy mini marshmallows, clouds of whipped cream, decadent chocolate sauce drizzles, and extra chocolate chips for a textural surprise. For those autumnal gatherings, consider offering our popular pumpkin spice hot chocolate alongside this classic for a complementary seasonal treat that truly rounds out your beverage selection.
Key Ingredients for Crockpot Hot Chocolate
All precise measurements, a comprehensive ingredient list, and detailed instructions can be found in the printable recipe card at the conclusion of this post. Here’s a quick overview of what you’ll need to create this amazing hot chocolate.
Ingredient Information & Smart Substitution Suggestions
CHOCOLATE: The magic of this recipe comes from using a balanced trio of dark, white, and milk chocolate chips. This combination ensures a complex and deeply satisfying flavor profile, where the slight bitterness of dark chocolate, the creamy sweetness of white chocolate, and the familiar comfort of milk chocolate perfectly complement each other. While we highly recommend quality brands like Ghirardelli for their superior melt and flavor, any brand of chocolate chips will work. For an even more luxurious texture and richer taste, consider chopping up high-quality baking chocolate bars instead of using chips. The smaller pieces will melt more smoothly. Feel free to customize the chocolate blend to your preference! If you’re not a fan of one type, simply substitute it with an equal amount of another kind you love. For adventurous palates, experiment with different flavor chips such as cinnamon chips, butterscotch chips, peppermint chips, or even extra semi-sweet chocolate chips for a less sweet, more intense chocolate experience.
DAIRY ADDITIONS: To achieve that signature ultra-creamy, rich consistency, sticking to heavy whipping cream and sweetened condensed milk is paramount. The heavy whipping cream provides unmatched richness and body, transforming the hot chocolate from a simple drink into a decadent dessert. Sweetened condensed milk not only adds the perfect level of sweetness but also contributes to the velvety smoothness that makes this recipe so special. For the primary liquid, you’ll need regular milk. Whole milk is highly recommended for the richest flavor and creamiest texture, but 2% milk can also be used if you prefer a slightly lighter option. We advise against using skim milk as it will result in a much thinner consistency and less luxurious mouthfeel. For those looking for dairy-free alternatives, full-fat canned coconut milk can replace heavy whipping cream and dairy milk, while vegan sweetened condensed milk substitutes are available. However, be aware that the flavor profile and richness will differ slightly from the original recipe, and coconut milk can impart a subtle coconut flavor.
Step-by-Step: How to Make Irresistible Crockpot Hot Chocolate
These step-by-step photos and instructions are here to help you visualize how to make this recipe. For a convenient printable version of this recipe, complete with precise measurements and instructions, simply Jump to Recipe at the bottom of this page.
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Combine Liquid Ingredients: Begin by pouring the milk, heavy whipping cream, and sweetened condensed milk directly into your crockpot. Once all the liquids are in, use a whisk or a sturdy spoon to stir them together thoroughly. This ensures all the creamy goodness is well combined before the chocolate is added, laying the foundation for a perfectly smooth hot chocolate.
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Add Chocolate Chips: Next, carefully add all three types of chocolate chips (dark, white, and milk) into the crockpot with the liquid mixture. There’s no need to stir them in just yet; simply place the lid on the crockpot. The slow, even heat will work its magic, melting the chocolates into a luscious blend.
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Slow Cook and Stir: Set your crockpot to the low heat setting for 2-3 hours. This slow and gentle cooking process allows the chocolate to melt perfectly without scorching. It’s crucial to remove the lid every 30 minutes or so and give the mixture a thorough stir. This step ensures that the chocolate melts evenly and fully incorporates into the dairy, preventing any lumps or separation, and creating that signature silky-smooth texture.
PRO TIP: While the recipe suggests 2-3 hours, our batch was often ready just past 1 hour and 30 minutes. Always plan for the full 2 hours to be safe, as cooking times can vary between slow cooker models. Once it’s perfectly melted and smooth, you can switch your crockpot to the “warm” setting to keep it at an ideal serving temperature without overcooking.
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Serve and Garnish: Once your hot chocolate is perfectly melted and smoothly combined, it’s ready to serve! Ladle generously into mugs and let the customization begin. Offer a delightful spread of toppings like classic marshmallows, decadent whipped cream, crushed candy canes for a festive touch, or extra chocolate chips for an added textural crunch.
PARTY PERFECT TIP: When serving this for a party, it’s essential to periodically check on the hot chocolate in the slow cooker to ensure it doesn’t curdle, which can happen if left undisturbed on too high a heat. Keep the crockpot on the “warm” setting and give it a good stir every once in a while (every 30-60 minutes) to maintain its silky consistency and prevent any unwanted separation. This ensures every guest gets a perfectly creamy cup.
Frequently Asked Questions & Expert Tips for Perfect Crockpot Hot Chocolate
Absolutely! While our recipe shines with the blend of three chocolates, you can certainly customize it. If you prefer a simpler flavor profile, feel free to use a singular type of chocolate, like all milk chocolate for a sweeter drink, or all dark chocolate for a more intense, less sweet version. You could also opt for a 50/50 split of dark and milk chocolate, or any other combination that suits your taste. Just ensure the total quantity of chocolate remains the same to maintain the rich consistency.
For the best possible flavor and texture, we recommend using high-quality chocolate, whether you choose chocolate chips or chopped baking bars. Higher cocoa content in dark chocolate will yield a more robust and less sweet hot chocolate, while milk chocolate offers a classic, creamy sweetness. White chocolate adds a lovely vanilla-infused creaminess. The mixture of the three types in this recipe is specifically designed to add sweet, rich, and subtle bitter notes that balance each other perfectly, creating a complex and deeply satisfying beverage. When chopping bars, aim for small, uniform pieces to ensure even melting.
Leftover hot chocolate can be stored in an airtight container in the refrigerator for 3-4 days. To reheat, gently warm it in a saucepan or stockpot over medium-low heat, stirring frequently. Avoid high heat, as this can cause the chocolate to separate or scorch. Continue stirring until it’s warmed through to your desired temperature, ensuring it retains its smooth, creamy texture.
Yes, with some adjustments! You can substitute the dairy milk with a rich plant-based milk like full-fat oat milk or almond milk. For the heavy whipping cream, full-fat canned coconut cream (the thick part from a can of refrigerated coconut milk) can be a good substitute, though it might impart a slight coconut flavor. Look for dairy-free sweetened condensed milk, which is available in many specialty stores. Ensure your chocolate chips are also certified dairy-free. The texture might be slightly different, but it will still be a delicious alternative!
This recipe is designed for a big batch, yielding enough for a crowd. We recommend using a 5-6 quart slow cooker to comfortably hold all the ingredients. Using a smaller crockpot might lead to overflow, while a much larger one could cause the hot chocolate to spread too thin and potentially scorch more easily.
If your hot chocolate turns out too thick, you can easily thin it by adding a little more milk (about ¼ to ½ cup at a time) until it reaches your desired consistency. Stir well and allow it to warm through. If it’s too thin, you can try simmering it on the “warm” setting for a bit longer, stirring occasionally, to allow some of the liquid to evaporate. Alternatively, for a quick fix, mix a tablespoon of cornstarch with a small amount of cold milk to create a slurry, then stir it into the hot chocolate in the crockpot and let it cook for another 15-20 minutes on low, stirring until it thickens.
Creative Serving Ideas & Setting Up a Hot Cocoa Bar
Serving this creamy crockpot hot chocolate is an event in itself! While it’s absolutely perfect on its own, it truly shines when paired with a variety of classic and creative fixings. Beyond the essential whipped cream, fluffy marshmallows, and a drizzle of chocolate syrup, consider transforming your serving station into an interactive and fun hot cocoa bar for parties, allowing guests to customize their perfect cup. Here are some fantastic garnish ideas:
- Sprinkles: A colorful and festive touch, especially for themed parties.
- Caramel Syrup: Adds a sweet, buttery counterpoint to the chocolate.
- Crushed Pretzels: For a delightful sweet and salty crunch.
- Crumbled Oreo Cookies: A universally loved topping for extra texture and chocolatey goodness.
- Chocolate Chips or Shavings: Offer different varieties like mini chips, white chocolate shavings, or dark chocolate curls.
- Pirouettes (Rolled Wafer Cookies): Elegant and delicious, perfect for dipping.
- Candy Canes, Peppermint Sticks, or Crushed Peppermints: Essential for a festive, minty kick, especially during the holiday season.
- Spices: A dash of cinnamon, nutmeg, or a pinch of chili powder can add a warm, exotic twist.
- Nut Butters: A spoonful of peanut butter or almond butter can create a rich, nutty variation.
For the adults in the room, elevate your hot chocolate with a “spiked” version. Set out a selection of liqueurs for guests to add to their individual cups. Popular choices include a shot of invigorating peppermint Schnapps, creamy Brandy’s Irish cream, or a warming splash of rum. The possibilities are endless with flavored liqueurs – think coffee liqueur, hazelnut liqueur, or even a touch of orange liqueur for a unique twist. Remember, it’s always best to offer the spirits on the side rather than adding them directly to the crockpot. This allows each individual to tailor their drink to their preferred taste and ensures that the kid-friendly version remains separate. Provide small measuring spoons or shot glasses for easy, precise additions.
More Cozy Beverage & Dessert Recipes You’ll Love
- Champurrado (Thick Mexican Hot Chocolate)
- Homemade Eggnog
- Caramel Hot Cocoa Bombs
- Crockpot Caramel Apple Cider
- Eggnog Floats
- Homemade Hot Chocolate Mix
- Creamy Chai Tea Latte
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Crockpot Hot Chocolate
IMPORTANT – There are often Frequently Asked Questions within the blog post that you may find helpful. Simply scroll back up to read them!
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Ingredients
- 4 cups milk 2 % or whole
- 1 cup heavy whipping cream
- ½ cup sweetened condensed milk
- ½ cup dark chocolate chips
- ½ cup white chocolate chips
- ½ cup milk chocolate chips
Things You’ll Need
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5-6 qt Crockpot
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Measuring cups and spoons
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Wooden spoon
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Ladle
Before You Begin
- If preferred, you can chop up bars of chocolate instead of using chips for a smoother melt. You can easily substitute or omit a specific kind of chocolate if you aren’t a fan of it; simply replace it with an equal amount of another kind you are using to maintain consistency. Get creative with flavor additions like cinnamon chips, butterscotch chips, peppermint chips, or extra semi-sweet chips for a customized drink!
Instructions
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Place the milk, heavy whipping cream, and sweetened condensed milk in the crockpot and stir well to combine.
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Add in all the chocolate chips and place the lid on the crockpot.
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Set the heat to low for 2-3 hours. Remove the lid and give the mixture a thorough stir every 30 minutes or so.
TIP – Ours was ready just past 1 hour and 30 minutes, but plan to give it 2 hours in case yours takes longer. You can always set it to warm if needed!
Expert Tips & FAQs
- If you are preparing this for a party, be sure to check on the hot chocolate in the slow cooker every now and then to make sure it isn’t curdling. Keep the crockpot on the warm setting and give it a stir every once in while to prevent this.
- Leftover hot chocolate can be stored in an air-tight container kept in the refrigerator for 3-4 days. Reheat in a saucepan or stockpot over medium-low heat, stirring often, until warmed through.
- Serve crockpot hot chocolate with all the classic hot cocoa fixings such as whipped cream, marshmallows, and chocolate syrup.
- Make a hot chocolate bar for parties with a variety of toppings such as candy canes, crushed peppermints, crumbled Oreo cookies, Piroulines (rolled wafer cookies), caramel syrup, chocolate chips, and sprinkles.
- For the adults, turn it into spiked hot chocolate with a shot of peppermint Schnapps, Brandy’s Irish cream, or rum. There are so many fun flavors of liqueur you can choose from to jazz it up even further. Don’t add the liqueur to the crockpot, keep it on the side to taste and adjust to your individual cup.
- For a dairy-free version, substitute dairy milk with full-fat oat milk or almond milk, heavy cream with full-fat coconut cream, and use dairy-free sweetened condensed milk and chocolate chips.
Nutrition
The recipes on this blog are tested with a conventional gas oven and gas stovetop. It’s important to note that some ovens, especially as they age, can cook and bake inconsistently. Using an inexpensive oven thermometer can assure you that your oven is truly heating to the proper temperature. If you use a toaster oven or countertop oven, please keep in mind that they may not distribute heat the same as a conventional full sized oven and you may need to adjust your cooking/baking times. In the case of recipes made with a pressure cooker, air fryer, slow cooker, or other appliance, a link to the appliances we use is listed within each respective recipe. For baking recipes where measurements are given by weight, please note that results may not be the same if cups are used instead, and we can’t guarantee success with that method.
Original recipe courtesy of Sugar, Spice, and Glitter. This post originally appeared here on October 21, 2018 and has since been updated with new photos and expert tips, and expanded content for an improved reader experience.