Here’s an easy-to-make CrockPot Hot Chocolate Recipe made from scratch that saves you time and energy and stays warm all day, so you can quickly warm up after being out in the cold.
Crock Pot Hot Chocolate Recipe
How many cups of hot chocolate do you make once the weather turns nasty? I dive into a hot chocolate kick when the weather turns. If the forecast says it will be super cold out, I must warm up with hot chocolate. It seems like something you have to do.
I decided to make Crock Pot Hot Chocolate because, well:
- I am tired of making it one cup at a time
- I wanted something cheaper than individual packets
- I wanted to see if it would work
- Oh, and I love a lot of hot chocolate
These are great reasons to make a big ole CrockPot of hot chocolate. So I did, and it was FANTASTIC!
I set the CrockPot temperature to “warm” and can serve cups of hot chocolate without a problem. Perfect for when everyone comes in from the cold and instantly wants a hot drink. Now, you can entertain a crowd with warm beverages without adding wear and tear to your microwave or tea kettle.
You can even set up a Hot Chocolate topping bar and let everyone customize their drinks. I love to set out the whipped cream, chocolate syrup, caramel syrup, Nutella, marshmallows, nuts, and even maraschino cherries.
Whatever fun toppings you have in the house work great! Keep everyone entertained by customizing their drinks to what they love!
I love how easy this homemade hot chocolate is to make in the slow cooker! After a few minutes of prep, you are ready to serve a crowd. Depending on the size of your CrockPot, you can easily double or triple this recipe.
The chocolate flavor is soooo good!
Ingredients
Here is a quick overview of the simple ingredients needed to make an epic CrockPot Hot Chocolate Drink! The printable recipe card at the bottom of the post includes specific measurements and step-by-step instructions.
- Granulated Sugar
- Unsweetened Cocoa Powder
- Salt
- Water
- Milk
- Vanilla
Optional Garnish - mini marshmallows, caramel sauce, milk chocolate chips, semi-sweet chocolate chips, dark chocolate chips
Equipment Needed
- CrockPot
- Sauce Pan
- Kitchen Spoon/Whisk
How to Make CrockPot Hot Chocolate
I've included complete instructions in the printable recipe card at the bottom of the post, but here's a quick version.
- Combine sugar, cocoa, salt, and water in a small saucepan. Cook over medium heat until the sugar dissolves and the mixture reaches a soft simmer.
- Pour into the CrockPot and stir in milk.
- Cover and cook, Stir in vanilla extract.
- Turn to warm for serving.
Preparation and Storage
Make-Ahead: This yummy hot chocolate is make-ahead-friendly! You can keep it in a CrockPot set to warm for up to two hours.
Storage: Store leftovers in an airtight container in the refrigerator, and enjoy them within three days.
Freezing/How to Freeze: While there’s nothing wrong from a food safety standpoint with freezing hot chocolate, frozen dairy-based products can develop a grainy texture when thawed, which no one will be happy about. We have an adults-only frozen Boozy Hot Chocolate recipe for ice-cold hot cocoa!
How to Reheat: If you have a large batch to reheat, refrigerated CrockPot Hot Chocolate reheats well in a slow cooker set to warm. Otherwise, you can microwave individual leftovers in a microwave-safe mug.
Recipe Variations
Substitutions: Want more decadent hot chocolate with deeper flavor? Swap the white sugar with equal parts brown sugar.
This can be made with whole milk
Vegetarian Option: This recipe is vegetarian-friendly!
Vegan Option: Vegans should replace the milk with a plant-based alternative to make this recipe vegan-friendly.
Cashew milk, almond milk, and other dairy-free options work great.
Gluten-Free: This recipe should be safe for a gluten-free diet, as none of the ingredients typically contain gluten. However, opt for gluten-free unsweetened cocoa powder, which sometimes contains gluten-unsafe additives.
Alcohol-Free Option: We don’t use alcohol in this recipe
Hot Chocolate Cocktail: RumChata, whiskey, Peppermint Schnapps, Kahlua, or bourbon would be fantastic additions for an adult-only hot cocoa crowd. Just make sure to mark which slow cooker has the adult beverage.
Smaller Serving Size + Larger Group/More Servings: The written recipe makes eight servings. Scale it up or down to your desired yield. You may need extra CrockPots for additional batches; I have three!
Make it Spicy: Add cayenne pepper for a Mexican Hot Chocolate to spice up your palate!
Sugar-Free: The written recipe contains 26 grams of sugar per serving. Use a sugar-free white sugar substitute to make it sugar-free.
Tips for the Best CrockPot Hot Chocolate
- I like setting up a hot chocolate bar next to my CrockPot with toppings and mix-ins so everyone can customize their hot chocolate. You can have marshmallows, candy canes, chocolate chips, sprinkles, caramel syrup, and so much more, so everyone can make their drink just how they like it.
- Check out our best hot chocolate recipes for more hot chocolate bar ideas!
What to Serve with CrockPot Hot Chocolate
Skip the coffee shop trip and stay warm indoors with our homemade, easy-to-make CrockPot White Hot Chocolate. Serve it for any wintertime feast, from breakfast to dinner and afterward, especially if you plan to stay up past midnight and wait for Santa.
Sides: Cheddar Bay Sausage Biscuits, Brown Sugar Bacon Wrapped Smokies, Cheesy Green Beans, Apple Stuffing, Sausage Breakfast Biscuit Cups, Cranberry Salsa, Pineapple Stuffing
Main Dishes: Easy German Apple Pancake, Broccoli Casserole, Sweet Potato Casserole with Candied Yams, CrockPot Ham, CrockPot Coke Glazed Ham, Bourbon Baked Ham
Desserts: 4 Ingredient Christmas Crack, Sugared Cranberries, Easy Holiday Reindeer Chow, Grinch Bark, Watergate Salad, Cherry Cheesecake Dip, Hot Chocolate Dip
Drinks: Broken Down Golf Cart Shot, Baileys Hot Chocolate, Grinch Jello Shots, Fireball Jello Shots, Peppermint Patty Shot, Cranberry Mimosa, Three Wise Men Shot, Polar Bear Shot
When to Serve
- Holiday Gathering
- Christmas Party
- Holiday Brunch
- Christmas Breakfast
- Warm up on cold days
Great Recipe Collections
Hot Chocolate Recipes - We have a ton of different hot chocolate recipe ideas.
Eggnog Recipes - These Eggnog Recipes are a great way to use a bottle of Eggnog this holiday season.
Side Dishes for Ham - What to serve with leftover ham for a great meal.
Sweetened Condensed Milk Recipes - How to use the random can of sweetened condensed milk in the pantry.
Dump Cake Recipes - Easy dump cakes that take as little as 3 ingredients to bake!
Banana Recipes - Wondering what to do with the ripe bananas on the counter? Don't worry we have a banana recipe you will love.
Do you love recipes? Check out our copycat recipes, dessert recipes, and our CrockPot Recipes.
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Crock Pot Hot Chocolate Recipe
Ingredients
- ⅔ cup White Sugar
- ½ cup unsweetened cocoa powder
- pinch Salt
- ½ cup Water
- 6 cups Milk
- 1 Teaspoon Vanilla Extract
Instructions
- Combine sugar, cocoa, salt and water in a small sauce pan. Cook over medium heat until sugar is dissolved and mixture starts to simmer
- Pour into crock pot, stir in milk
- Cover and cook on high for 2-3 hours until hot, stir in vanilla
- Turn to warm for serving.
Nutrition
Recipe originally shared on February 17, 2014. Updated October 2020.
Sheri
How many servings does this make? I know that it depends on the cup size. Thanks for this awesome timely share!
Chris
Genius.
That is all.
Jen
Oh my this looks good. But 2-3 hours of smelling warming chocolate, I might eat a box of cookies 🙂
valmg
What an interesting idea! I wonder if there would be a way to add some marshmallows...,
Tammilee
You can never go wrong adding marshmallows!
Jennifer
Seriously, you're killing me!
Tammilee
LOL! Nothing like a bit of chocolate goodness on a winter day
Teresa R.
I'm a coffee person. but looking at that picture of hot chocolate. it makes me want to go and make some. love your recipes.
Tammilee
Teresa, I am so glad you are enjoying the recipes!!! the hot chocolate is divine!
Zainab
Wow, I'm drooling! What a gorgeous picture. Love the recipe too 🙂