By Laurel Perry
Published Dec 5, 2023
This super easy Crockpot Hot Chocolate recipe makes a classic warm drink that is incredibly creamy and chocolatey. You only need a few ingredients, and it’s totally hands-off in the slow cooker, so you’ll have some tasty hot cocoa ready to go for parties and snow days.
Why We Love This Crockpot Hot Chocolate Recipe
If you’re looking for an easy drink recipe for your next holiday get-together, this slow cooker hot cocoa is the perfect choice. It’s super hands-off, stays warm for hours, and can be adapted to suit any taste. Plus, it has the creamiest texture that makes it extra comforting. Don’t forget to pile up every cup of hot chocolate with fluffy marshmallows!
Ingredient Variations on Slow Cooker Hot Chocolate
While I personally prefer unsweetened cocoa powder, you can use any kind of cocoa powder you have on hand for this hot chocolate recipe. Any kind of chocolate chips will work too. You can also swap the heavy cream for half-and-half for a slightly lighter beverage. Other sweeteners that work well in this recipe include agave syrup and honey.
How to Store and Reheat
Store crockpot hot chocolate (fully cooled) in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3 days. Reheat in a saucepan or a crockpot set over low heat until warmed through.
Serving Suggestions
Serve this tasty slow cooker hot chocolate with marshmallows and dollops of whipped cream . Add some crushed candy canes, a sprinkle of cinnamon, or a drizzle of caramel sauce to take it to the next level.
More Crockpot Hot Chocolate Recipes To Try
- Slow Cooker Pumpkin Hot Chocolate
- Slow Cooker Peppermint Hot Chocolate
Ingredients1x2x3x
- ▢ ½ cup unsweetened cocoa power
- ▢ 1 cup heavy cream
- ▢ 7 cups whole milk
- ▢ ¾ cup milk chocolate chips
- ▢ ¼ cup maple syrup
- ▢ 2 teaspoons pure vanilla extract
- ▢ ¼ teaspoon kosher salt
- ▢ Marshmallows min and large-sized
Video
Instructions
- Add the cocoa powder and heavy cream to the Crockpot. ½ cup unsweetened cocoa power, 1 cup heavy cream
- Whisk until the mixture is smooth. Then, whisk in the whole milk, chocolate chips, maple syrup, vanilla extract, and salt. 7 cups whole milk, ¾ cup milk chocolate chips, ¼ cup maple syrup, 2 teaspoons pure vanilla extract, ¼ teaspoon kosher salt
- Cover and cook on low for 2 hours. At the 1 hour mark, whisk the mixture to incorporate the melted chocolate chips. Continue cooking until the hot chocolate is heated through to your liking.
- Ladle the hot chocolate into mugs and top with marshmallows and chocolate chips. Marshmallows
Equipment
- Crockpot
Becky’s Tips
- Try using good quality white chocolate for a white chocolate hot cocoa.
- Use the recipe slider to adjust the number of servings and easily double the recipe!
Nutrition information is automatically calculated, so should only be used as an approximation.
How to Make Crockpot Hot Chocolate Step by Step
Mix the Cocoa and Cream: Add ½ cup of unsweetened cocoa powder and 1 cup of heavy cream to the Crockpot, and whisk until smooth.
Add the Remaining Ingredients: Whisk in 7 cups of whole milk, ¾ cup of milk chocolate chips, ¼ cup of maple syrup, 2 teaspoons of pure vanilla extract, and ¼ teaspoon of kosher salt.
Cook the Cocoa: Cover and cook on low for 2 hours. At the 1-hour mark, whisk the mixture to incorporate the melted chocolate chips. Continue cooking until the hot chocolate is heated through to your liking. Ladle the hot chocolate into mugs and top with marshmallows and chocolate chips.
You can keep this hot chocolate warm in the crockpot for up to 2 hours!
I do not recommend attempting this recipe with water instead of milk, as it doesn’t use hot cocoa mix. Some brands of hot cocoa mix include dry milk powder in the ingredients so you can just add water, but this recipe will not work.
Crockpot Hot Chocolate Recipe
Equipment
- Crockpot
Ingredients
- ½ cup unsweetened cocoa power
- 1 cup heavy cream
- 7 cups whole milk
- ¾ cup milk chocolate chips
- ¼ cup maple syrup
- 2 teaspoons pure vanilla extract
- ¼ teaspoon kosher salt
- Marshmallows min and large-sized
Instructions
- Add the cocoa powder and heavy cream to the Crockpot. ½ cup unsweetened cocoa power, 1 cup heavy cream
- Whisk until the mixture is smooth. Then, whisk in the whole milk, chocolate chips, maple syrup, vanilla extract, and salt. 7 cups whole milk, ¾ cup milk chocolate chips, ¼ cup maple syrup, 2 teaspoons pure vanilla extract, ¼ teaspoon kosher salt
- Cover and cook on low for 2 hours. At the 1 hour mark, whisk the mixture to incorporate the melted chocolate chips. Continue cooking until the hot chocolate is heated through to your liking.
- Ladle the hot chocolate into mugs and top with marshmallows and chocolate chips. Marshmallows
Video
Notes
- Try using good quality white chocolate for a white chocolate hot cocoa.
- Use the recipe slider to adjust the number of servings and easily double the recipe!
Nutrition
By Becky Hardin
Published Jul 12, 2017
This Essential Grocery List is an absolute life saver for my family on the busy weeks. When I started this journey to learn how to cook, I quickly realized that the first step in cooking is having staple ingredients on hand. I want to avoid having to run out to the grocery store every single time I prepare a new recipe. Having a well-stocked pantry has made my life in the kitchen so much simpler, because when it’s time to cook, I have what I need.
Essential Grocery List
It’s so helpful to have a basic grocery list to help me remember which foods to buy at the store. This food shopping list is my go-to!
It’s better to stock up on things like grains, seasonings and spices, baking essentials, oils, condiments, canned and frozen foods, etc. so I can just grab them when I need them. These things have a long shelf life , so I keep them in my kitchen for convenience.
However, I do have to go to the supermarket sometimes, and there’s a way to make that trip easy and hassle-free: I keep a grocery list! If I go in blindly, I’ll leave with things I don’t need, and nothing that actually helps me prepare a good meal.
In the list below, I’ve compiled everything I always have on my stock-up grocery list.
I’ve got you covered! I created an easy grocery list filled with all of the essentials. Plus there’s a free printable version that you can take with you to the grocery store. It has everything you need to stock your pantry, your freezer, and your refrigerator.
Click to get my Free Printable Grocery List
What to Buy at the Grocery Store
This is the perfect grocery list filled with all the basics and essentials. It should help get you going if you’re new to cooking, or if you’re just left staring helplessly at an empty pantry and don’t know how to fill it.
When I first started cooking, things could seem overwhelming. I quickly realized that they more prepared I could be, the more confident I felt. If you already have the basics in your kitchen, then you can shop stress-free.
So print out our easy grocery list, stock up your pantry and fridge, and you’ll be cooking in no time!
Click to get my Free Printable Grocery List for the perfectly stocked pantry and freezer!
Fresh Produce
- Apples
- Bananas
- Strawberries
- Avocados
- Bell Peppers
- Carrots
- Broccoli
- Garlic
- Lemons/Limes
- Onion
- Parsley
- Cilantro
- Basil
- Potatoes
- Spinach
- Tomatoes
GRAINS
- Breadcrumbs
- Pasta
- Quinoa
- Rice
- Sandwich Bread
- Tortillas
MEAT/PROTEIN
- Chicken
- Eggs
- Ground Beef
- Sliced Turkey
- Lunch Meat
DAIRY
- Butter
- Sliced Cheese
- Shredded Cheese
- Milk
- Sour Cream
- Greek Yogurt
BAKING GOODS
- Baking powder
- Baking Soda
- Granulated Sugar
- Brown Sugar
- Flour
- Honey
- Vanilla Extract
- Dry Yeast
- Chocolate Chips
- Cocoa Powder
- Powdered Sugar
FREEZER
- Fruit and Berries
- Frozen Veggies (Corn, Peas, Broccoli, etc)
- Juice Concentrate
- Pizza or Other Convenience Meals
- Pie Crust
- Cookie Dough
CANNED/DRIED GOODS
- Chicken stock/broth
- Salsa
- Diced Tomatoes
- Jam/Jelly
- Peanut Butter
- Pasta Sauce
- Beans (Black Beans, Chickpeas, Baked Beans, etc)
- Soups
- Tuna
- Green Chiles
- Canned Veggies
- Coffee or Tea
Get more details on the best non-perishable and pantry foods
CONDIMENTS/SPICES
- Black Pepper
- Chili Powder
- Cinnamon
- Crushed Red Pepper
- Cumin
- Garlic Powder
- Ketchup
- Mustard
- Mayo
- Nutmeg
- Paprika
- Salt (Course Sea Salt and Kosher Salt)
- Soy Sauce
- Steak Sauce
- Hot Sauce/ Buffalo Sauce
- Salad Dressings
OILS/VINEGARS
- Apple cider vinegar
- Balsamic vinegar
- Coconut Oil
- Olive Oil
- Vegetable/Canola Oil
- Red Wine Vinegar
- White Vinegar
- Cooking Wine
- White Wine Vinegar
SNACKS
- Crackers
- Nuts
- Quick Oats
- Popcorn
- Tortilla Chips
- Cereal
Click to get my Free Printable Grocery List for the perfectly stocked pantry and freezer!
Click ☝🏻 for my FREE Grocery List Printable!
I hope this essential grocery list can help you buy what you need and make your home cooking so much easier!
Stock Your Kitchen
Find more ideas for your grocery list, stock up your kitchen, and print more cooking guides and charts to keep handy!
Non-Perishable Foods to Stock Up On
Frozen Vegetables to Stock Up On (and Recipes to Make)
Ultimate List of Cooking Herbs for Your Kitchen
Ultimate List of Cooking Spices for Your Kitchen
Cooking Oil 101: Types of Cooking Oils to Use
26 Types of Pasta and When to Use Them
What Fruits and Vegetables are in Season?
Meat Temperature Chart (Free Printable)
How to Meal Prep (Guide for Beginners)
Basic Cooking Measurements & Kitchen Conversion Chart
