By Becky Hardin
Updated Mar 10, 2025
Slow Cooker Peppermint Hot Chocolate is a rich, creamy treat that’s perfect for cozy winter days, infused with a refreshing hint of mint. I love how effortless it is to make—simply add all the ingredients to the slow cooker and let it do the work! It’s incredibly easy, requires minimal prep, and is packed with flavor. With the addition of peppermint, this hot chocolate becomes the ultimate holiday drink!
5-Star Review
I just made this slow cooker Peppermint Hot Chocolate for my boyfriend and I and we are OBSESSED!! What an amazing recipe idea! Thank you so much! I don’t have to go to Starbucks now and spend 5 dollars on a hot cocoa when this homemade one tastes so much better and saves money!” -Kambry
Peppermint Hot Chocolate in a Slow Cooker
Once I mastered the classic slow cooker hot chocolate recipe, I decided to elevate it by adding sweetened condensed milk and peppermint for a festive twist! I must say it turned out AMAZING. This hot chocolate drink is super creamy and is perfect to serve a crowd!
Ingredients1x2x3x
- ▢ 2 cups heavy cream 454 grams
- ▢ 5½ cups skim milk 1,249 grams
- ▢ 14 ounces sweetened condensed milk 396 grams (1 can)
- ▢ 1 teaspoon peppermint extract 4 grams
- ▢ 2 cups good quality milk chocolate chips 340 grams
Optional Garnishes
- ▢ marshmallows
- ▢ mini candy canes
Video
Instructions
- Combine all ingredients (except garnishes) in a crockpot set to low heat. Let it cook for 2 hours, stirring occasionally. When chocolate is fully melted and the drink is hot to taste, it’s done! 2 cups heavy cream, 5½ cups skim milk, 14 ounces sweetened condensed milk, 1 teaspoon peppermint extract, 2 cups good quality milk chocolate chips
- Pour in the cups, top with marshmallows and mini candy canes for some extra fun. Enjoy with your favorite cookies! marshmallows, mini candy canes
Equipment
- Kitchen Scale (optional)
- 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!
- Nutritional information does not include optional garnishes.
- Use any of your favourite liqueur in place of peppermint extract.
Nutrition information is automatically calculated, so should only be used as an approximation.
How to Make Slow Cooker Peppermint Hot Chocolate
Add all ingredients to a slow cooker & cook: Combine all ingredients (except garnishes) 2 cups of heavy cream, 5½ cups of skim milk, 14 ounces of sweetened condensed milk, 1 teaspoon of peppermint extract, and 2 cups of good quality milk chocolate chips in a crockpot and set to low heat.
Let it cook for 2 hours, stirring occasionally.
When chocolate is fully melted and the drink is hot to taste, it’s done!
Garnish and serve:
That’s it! It’s so easy. Just spoon it into a mug, top it with marshmallows, and add in a candy cane if you want to get super festive! Because why not?
How to Store
Store peppermint hot chocolate in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3 days.
Serving Suggestions
Classic Chocolate Chip Cookies pair beautifully with my peppermint hot chocolate. If serving this during holiday gatherings, I love to serve it with my Gooey Butter Cookies and Chocolate Crinkle Cookies .
More festive drinks to try
Green Mint Vanilla Milk (St. Patty’s Day Drink)
Holiday Sangria
Homemade Spiced Rum Drink
Apple Pie Drink (Apple Cider Punch)
40 Cinco de Mayo Drinks and Cocktails
Festive Snow Punch (Non-Alcoholic)
Pumpkin Pie Punch (Thanksgiving or Halloween Punch Idea)
30 Festive Christmas Cocktails
Slow Cooker Peppermint Hot Chocolate Recipe
Equipment
- Kitchen Scale (optional)
- Crockpot
Ingredients
- 2 cups heavy cream 454 grams
- 5½ cups skim milk 1,249 grams
- 14 ounces sweetened condensed milk 396 grams (1 can)
- 1 teaspoon peppermint extract 4 grams
- 2 cups good quality milk chocolate chips 340 grams
Optional Garnishes
- marshmallows
- mini candy canes
Instructions
- Combine all ingredients (except garnishes) in a crockpot set to low heat. Let it cook for 2 hours, stirring occasionally. When chocolate is fully melted and the drink is hot to taste, it’s done! 2 cups heavy cream, 5½ cups skim milk, 14 ounces sweetened condensed milk, 1 teaspoon peppermint extract, 2 cups good quality milk chocolate chips
- Pour in the cups, top with marshmallows and mini candy canes for some extra fun. Enjoy with your favorite cookies! marshmallows, mini candy canes
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!
- Nutritional information does not include optional garnishes.
- Use any of your favourite liqueur in place of peppermint extract.
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
