Slow Cooker Hot Chocolate (Triple Chocolate!)

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This Slow Cooker Hot Chocolate is a super simple set-it-and-forget-it recipe! Seriously, put everything in the slow cooker and then let it do its thing. Watch it meld into a rich, creamy, and luxurious hot cocoa that’ll warm you from your head to your toes!

two mason jar mugs full of creamy hot chocolate with marshmallows on top and around on the table

Why You’ll Love This Slow Cooker Hot Chocolate

It’s a classic for a reason! Hot chocolate always makes me think of The Santa Clause, chilly winter nights by the fire, and all things nostalgia. And while I think there’s a time and place for the packaged stuff (desperate times call for desperate measures), I like my hot cocoa to be extra creamy and decadent. I came up with this recipe to make sure it’s perfect every time!

All you have to do is throw everything in the slow cooker and let it do its thing. After two hours, you’ll have a rich chocolatey elixir to savor and a house that smells good enough to eat.

Top your chocolate with your favorite toppings, or set out a hot chocolate bar if you’re hosting a crowd. This recipe is perfect for kids’ sleepovers, Christmas day, a movie night, or a snow day when all the kids are home and come in from playing in the cold. Or, enjoy it literally any day of the year. It’s so good, I won’t judge!

Ingredients

The not-so-secret ingredient to this hot chocolate is…all the chocolate! Triple the chocolate, in fact. Today you’ll use cocoa powder, white chocolate (it makes it so creamy – trust me), and bittersweet for that beloved classic flavor.

Dairy: Milk + Whipping Cream
Sugar
Chocolate: Unsweetened cocoa powder, white chocolate (chopped), and bittersweet chocolate (chopped).
Sugar
Vanilla
Optional Toppings: Marshmallows, mini chocolate chip, or peppermint. See more below!

a close up photo of a mason jar mug full of hot chocolate with marshmallows and chocolate shavings on top, and another mug in the background out of focus

How to Make Crock Pot Hot Chocolate

There’s only one step to this recipe! Add all the ingredients to the slow cooker and turn it on low. Allow the hot chocolate to cook for 2 hours, stirring occasionally, then enjoy your cozy beverage with the toppings of your choice!

FAQs

How long can you keep hot chocolate warm in the slow cooker?

If you’ve let it cook for 2 hours and you’re just looking to keep it warm for party guests, you can set the slow cooker to warm (or keep it on the lowest heat if you don’t have a warming setting) and let it sit, stirring occasionally, for about 2 additional hours.

How should I serve hot chocolate at a large event?

If you’re making this for a party (it’s great for Christmas!) you can set out a little hot chocolate bar. Keep the drink in the slow cooker and provide a ladle for everyone to pour their portion into a mug, and then add small bowls of toppings and add-ons so people can choose their preferred combo of mix-ins. Everyone will love it, but make sure someone’s supervising the kids so they don’t ladle the liquid all over your counter.

How do you store leftover hot chocolate?

Ladle your leftovers into an airtight jar or carafe (a mason jar works well for this) and keep it in the fridge for up to 5 days. When you’d like to enjoy a portion, simply pour out the amount you’d like to drink and heat it on the stove until it’s warmed through.

an overhead photo of a mason jar mug of slow cooker hot chocolate topped with marshmallows and chocolate bits

Hot Chocolate Toppings + Serving Suggestions

Marshmallows, of course! Mini, extra large, covered in chocolate and rolled in sprinkles, it’s up to you.
Whipped cream is an absolute must!
If you’re making a hot chocolate bar and you have kids around, you need some sprinkles.
I know it’s hard to believe, but I support more chocolate! Chocolate syrup or hot fudge can add an extra layer of goodness to your drink if you’re a choc-lover.
And for even more chocolate, top your marshmallows and/or whipped cream with mini chocolate chips, or slip a DIY Hot Chocolate Spoon in there to melt.
If you’re a Reese’s fan like me, you can add a dollop of peanut butter to your mug!
Add a small amount of mint extract (it’s powerful!) or slip a peppermint stick in there.
Salted Caramel Sauce would be amazing either stirred in or drizzled on top!
Want a snack alongside your hot cocoa? These Caramel Pretzel Sticks will give you that salty-sweet flavor we all love!
And as a huge fan of cookies, you simply can’t go wrong by pairing your beverage with Chocolate Chip Pecan Shortbread Cookies or classic Chocolate Chip Cookies! ;
And finally, a little dash of whiskey (for the adults, of course!) would be yummy!

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