This crockpot hot chocolate is irresistibly creamy and silky smooth. It takes only four ingredients and stays warm for hours — plus, there’s no added sugar!
Crockpot Hot Chocolate Video
How To Make Crockpot Hot Chocolate
Do you have five minutes and a crockpot? That’s all it takes to get this hot chocolate mixed up and simmering away!
- Turn the crockpot on: Turn the crockpot on the low heat setting.
- Add the ingredients: Add in the milk, heavy whipping cream, and chopped chocolate. Stir together.
- Cook the hot chocolate: Cook the hot chocolate, whisking every 20-30 minutes to help the chocolate melt. After about an hour and a half, the hot chocolate should be fully melted and silky smooth. Continue cooking for 30 more minutes.
- Serve the hot chocolate: Turn the heat setting to “keep warm” while serving. Pour the hot chocolate into a mug and enjoy with your favorite toppings!
Hot tip: Double or triple this recipe for large parties! Use a crockpot with a capacity of at least five quarts like this one to prevent overflow.
Ingredient Variations
This hot cocoa recipe is incredibly simple, so there’s plenty of room for experimentation. Switch out the type of chocolate, or add extracts or a pinch of salt to boost the flavor.
- Chocolate: Try a blend of dark, bittersweet, or semisweet chocolate for a more intensely chocolate taste. Or, use a higher proportion of milk chocolate if you like things sweeter.
- Vanilla: Add a teaspoon of vanilla extract to accentuate the sweetness.
- Peppermint: Add a dash of peppermint extract to bring minty Christmas cheer to your hot chocolate.
- Salt: Mix in a pinch of salt to enhance the chocolate flavor and balance any bitterness.
Tips For the Creamiest Hot Chocolate
Is there anything more satisfying than a steaming mug of homemade hot chocolate? Follow these tips to ensure your hot chocolate turns out ultra-creamy and delicious.
- Use high-quality chocolate. Chocolate bars have the best flavor and smoothest melting texture (we love the Ghirardelli brand). Avoid chocolate chips, which typically contain stabilizers that prevent melting.
- Don’t skimp on the fat. Full-fat dairy like whole milk and heavy cream produces the creamiest hot chocolate.
- Experiment with the proportions. Each chocolate bar brand differs slightly in ounces, so the measurements don’t have to be precise. Stick with 3-4 ounces of dark chocolate and 8-10 ounces of milk chocolate for the ideal flavor balance.
- Whisk the hot chocolate periodically. This ensures that the chocolate melts evenly to create a silky smooth texture. Here’s our favorite whisk for everything!
- Stir the hot chocolate before drinking it. Hot chocolate tends to develop a milk film on the top, so a quick stir breaks it up.
Ways To Serve
Hot chocolate is absolutely wonderful on its own or with your favorite toppings. Ladle the steaming drink into a mug to serve and drink up! Take your hot cocoa to the next level with mini marshmallows, whipped cream, chocolate shavings, candy canes, or a drizzle of caramel sauce or chocolate syrup. For even more holiday indulgence, cozy up with a plate of Ferrero Rocher Christmas cookies, pecan raspberry thumbprints, or peppermint meringues. Or serve alongside a sweet dessert charcuterie board.
Storage & Reheating
Now that you’ve made the best hot chocolate, what’s next? Let’s go over how to store and reheat crockpot hot cocoa to enjoy it again later.
- Storage: Allow the hot chocolate to cool completely, then pour it into a glass jar or covered pitcher and refrigerate for up to five days.
- Reheating: Reheat leftover hot chocolate on the stove or in the microwave until it begins to steam.
More Chocolate Recipes
- Chocolate Ganache — A silky chocolate spread perfect for decorating cakes or enjoying on its own
- Chocolate Hazelnut Tart — Rich chocolate custard set in a hazelnut crust
- Chocolate-Honey Cake — Chocolate and honey cake layered with a condensed milk and Irish cream liqueur filling
- Chocolate Truffles — Indulgent truffle balls made with cream cheese and dark chocolate
Recipe
Ingredients
- 4 cups whole milk
- 2 cups heavy whipping cream
- 3.5 oz dark chocolate finely chopped
- 8 oz milk chocolate finely chopped
Instructions
- Turn the crockpot on the low heat setting. Add in the milk, heavy whipping cream, and chopped chocolate. Stir together.
- Cook the hot chocolate, whisking every 20-30 minutes to help the chocolate melt. After about 90 minutes, the mixture should be fully melted and silky smooth. Continue cooking for 30 more minutes.
- Turn the heat setting to "keep warm" while serving. Pour the hot chocolate into a mug and enjoy with your favorite toppings!
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