So sweet, so creamy… and so terrifically chocolatey. This cozy Crockpot Hot Chocolate Recipe is just begging you to have one more sip! It’s THE party drink that will have your guests rapidly slurping it down, then begging for more! Plus, with just 3 ingredients, it’s SO easy to make!
Crockpot Hot Chocolate Recipe
Unabashedly… this crockpot hot chocolate recipe is bound and determined to be the epicenter of your next party!
Plus, it will give you a mountain worth of motivation to head out into the cold to enjoy your favorite Wintertime adventures!
Sandi writes: "Made this recipe for a Christmas open house. Everyone loved it! Rave reviews!"
It’s true, every sip of this hot chocolate is pure pleasure!
To start, it’s made with the perfect blend of quality ingredients.
Ingredients that help you effortlessly create a tantalizing flavor experience… sip after delightful sip!
Just like when you make this White Hot Chocolate, this Frozen Hot Chocolate Recipe, and this invigorating Peppermint Mocha Recipe, too!
Believe me, the charm of this sip-happy drink is absolutely alluring!
At our home, we actually call this the Best Hot Chocolate EVER!!
And not only is it fantastically delicious, but it’s also incredibly simple to make.
You’ll just need 3 ingredients, then your crockpot takes over to create the BEST rich and creamy hot cocoa that can be served straight from your slow cooker.
Trust me, once you start making homemade hot chocolate the EASY way… you’ll wonder why you ever made it any other way!
Oh… and if you want to make a smaller serving, you can easily cut this recipe in half to serve six… or instead, just make this amazing 2 serving stovetop hot chocolate recipe with cocoa powder!
Now let’s get this crockpot hot chocolate recipe started, shall we?
Here’s what you’ll need to do…
What Is The Secret Ingredient In Gourmet Hot Chocolate?
The secret to making this gourmet recipe for crockpot hot chocolate is to only use real ingredients.
Like real cocoa powder and real sugar!
Then… when you add in rich and creamy whole milk, you’ll send it over the top!
Slow Cooker Hot Chocolate Ingredients
It takes just a few simple ingredients to make the absolute best homemade Crock Pot hot chocolate with cocoa powder and real sugar.
Here’s what you’ll need to add your grocery list so you can score some Sam’s Club deals this week…
- Milk – The higher the fat content, the creamier the cocoa!
- Cocoa Powder – Natural, unsweetened cocoa. For the best chocolate for hot chocolate, use a high quality cocoa! My favorite brands are Hershey’s, Ghirardelli, or 365 Organic.
- Sugar – Just your standard granulated sugar (white sugar). Organic cane sugar can be substituted.
- Optional: Marshmallows or Whip Cream and Sprinkles for Topping.
You’ll also need a 6 – 8 quart Crock Pot and some hot water for this hot chocolate.
Trust me, it doesn’t get much easier than 3 ingredient slow cooker recipes!
Pin this now to find it later
Pin ItHow To Make Crockpot Hot Chocolate
You’re going to love how easy it is to make this recipe for hot chocolate in a slow cooker.
Just follow these simple step-by-step instructions…
1. Start by creating your chocolate sauce on the stove top as directed, then transfer mixture to your crock pot.
2. Next, add in your milk to the Crock Pot, stir and cover.
4. Cook as directed, give it one last stir before serving… and you’re done! Top with marshmallows or leave as is.
5. Now ladle into mugs, serve and ENJOY!
Do you have a favorite hot chocolate topping? I like to serve mine topped with marshmallows or whipped cream and sprinkles!
Scroll down for the printable recipe card with detailed, step-by-step instructions.
Just be sure to keep an eye on your cocoa! Apparently slippery, squishy marshmallows are just too much of a temptation for tiny hands to resist!
Variations
There are so many fun ways to mix up the flavor of this crockpot hot cocoa recipe.
So if you’re feeling adventurous, try one of these fun Crock Pot hot chocolate recipes…
- Coconut Hot Cocoa: Add 4 tsp. Coconut Extract when adding Milk. When serving, top whip cream with Shredded Coconut.
- Nutella Hot Cocoa: Add 1 cup Nutella to Cocoa/Sugar/Water Mixture in pan.
- Peppermint Hot Cocoa: Add 2 1/2 tablespoons Starbucks or Torani Peppermint Syrup to Milk.
- Salted Caramel Hot Cocoa: Add 6 1/2 tablespoons Starbucks or Torani Caramel Syrup to Milk (+ 1/2 tsp. Sea Salt – or if you don’t like sweet & salty flavor, simply leave out the salt).
In addition, this recipe for hot chocolate with real chocolate can be fashioned into lovely homemade gifts in a jar. You can make either this Homemade Hot Chocolate Mix or this French Vanilla Hot Chocolate Mix. The choice is yours!
How To Keep Hot Chocolate Warm
Trust me, this is the sip happy party drink you’ve been looking for!
That’s because your humble Crock Pot is the perfect tool for keeping your hot chocolate HOT… and at the perfect temperature. Whether you need hot chocolate for a crowd at a party, or to warm up the family on a chilly winter weekend.
It’s also the perfect way to keep a LARGE amount of hot chocolate HOT!
After cooking on high, simply turn your crockpot to the WARM setting, and let it simmer during your party.
This hot chocolate in a Crock Pot provides you with the perfect solution for having a delicious drink hot and ready for game day, tailgating, birthday parties, holidays, and more.
And believe me, crockpot recipes for fall like this are perfect for your Thanksgiving and Christmas gatherings!
Crockpot Hot Chocolate Recipe Reviews
Here’s what your frugal friends are saying about this dreamy Slow Cooker Hot Cocoa Recipe…
Robin writes: “Simple and delicious!!”
Jaime writes: “Made this tonight for my hot chocolate bar. It was perfect!”
Brynn writes: “I took to an annual cookie exchange & it was a hit, so I’m making again for my Winter open house”
Bobbi writes: “This is soooo much better than store bought”
Catesia writes: “Yummy – perfect to drink on Christmas Eve cozied up in your fuzzy socks watching a Christmas classic”
Hope writes: “I made the Hot Chocolate. This was really nice. Kept great in the crock pot. Yum!”
Madison writes: “It was so yummy! Just add some whip cream and marshmallows!”
Sandi writes: “Made this recipe for a Christmas open house. Made a double batch and had to take time to make another double batch in the middle of the open house. (Just added it to what was left in the crockpot and it was still plenty hot) everyone loved it! I served it with mini marshmallows and caramel topping. Rave reviews!”
Becky writes: “Went out for dinner while hot chocolate cooked. Great with mini marshmallows and whipped cream! Enjoy!”
Bonnie writes: “Wonderful and easy!! Used raw cane sugar”
Heather writes: “Yummy. I added half and half with milk”
Patti writes: “I’m making a crock put full of hot chocolate for Christmas Eve family dinner & games. Easiest way to offer a hot beverage to a crowd.”
Andrea writes: “Yum! Wonderful – doubled for a classroom party.”
Erica writes: “I’ve made this recipe 3 times with great success. The first time I used my crock pot, the next two times I did it on the stovetop and served it right away because I didn’t need to keep it hot for a long time.”
More Non Alcoholic Fall Drinks
Punch
Orange Punch
Drinks
Apple Cider Recipe
Drinks
Apple Cider Punch
Punch
Coffee Punch Recipe
Drinks
Caramel Apple Cider
Did You Enjoy This Recipe? ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ Leave a comment & review below!
Crockpot Hot Chocolate Recipe
Ingredients
- 10 cups Whole Milk, (Nonfat, 1%, or 2% can be substituted, but whole milk will make the creamiest cocoa)
- 1 cup Unsweetened Cocoa Powder, (use high quality cocoa, like Hershey's, Ghirardelli or 365 Organic)
- 1 cup Granulated Sugar (White Sugar), (organic cane sugar can be substituted)
- 2 cups Hot Water
- Optional Toppings: Marshmallows, Whip Cream, Candy Canes, etc.
Instructions
- Gather your ingredients.
- Add Cocoa, Sugar, and Hot Water to medium saucepan, and cook over Medium heat, stirring constantly to create a chocolate syrup.
- Increase heat to Medium-High, and bring chocolate mixture to a gentle boil, still stirring constantly.
- Transfer chocolate syrup mixture to 6 – 8 quart Crockpot.
- Add 5 cups cold Milk to crockpot, stir, then add remaining 5 cups cold Milk to crockpot, and stir again. Place lid on crockpot.
- Cook on HIGH for 2 1/2 hours, or until hot.
- Stir again, just prior to serving, then leave as is… or add marshmallows to crockpot to float and melt into the cocoa.
- Carefully ladle into mugs.
- Top with Marshmallows or Whip Cream and Sprinkles, and ENJOY!
Notes
- Coconut Hot Chocolate: Add 4 tsp. Coconut Extract when adding Milk. When serving, top whip cream with Shredded Coconut.
- Nutella Hot Chocolate: Add 1 cup Nutella to Cocoa/Sugar/Water Mixture in pan.
- Peppermint Hot Chocolate: Add 2 1/2 tbsp. Starbucks or Torani Peppermint Syrup to Milk.
- Salted Caramel Hot Chocolate: Add 6 1/2 tbsp. Starbucks or Torani Caramel Syrup to Milk (+ 1/2 tsp. Sea Salt – or if you don’t like sweet & salty flavor, simply leave out the salt).
Like this recipe? Rate & comment below!
Yum to crockpot hot chocolate! Such an awesome party idea for my teens with fall/winter birthdays!
Oh that’s a great idea, Molly… this is such a fun party drink! 🙂
I love this. This is perfect for sitting around the tree with family opening gifts and reminiscing over holidays past.
I agree, Rebecca… the perfect cozy drink for winter nights with family!
Could I make this ahead of time, following steps 1 and 2. Then, put it in the fridge for two days, stir, then pour into the crockpot and heat. I know it’ll take some time to get up to temperature coming from the fridge.
It is for a work Christmas party that is after work on Friday. I won’t have any time during the day to prep this, so I’m wondering if I can do it ahead of time.
Thanks 🙂
Hi Amanda ~ I haven’t ever tried making it that way before. If you do, let me know how it turns out!
Heidi…I want to take this to work in the a.m. If I do the first step (boil water, cocoa and sugar) and pour that by itself into a thermos and then travel the 10 min to work and then dump the thermos into the crockpot and add the milk do you think this will work?
Hi Kari ~ I honestly haven’t tried it this way before. I’m thinking it should work, but there is the potential that the cocoa liquid might separate a little bit during the drive.
can i just throw everything in the crockpot from the start?
Hi Marissa ~ unfortunately that won’t work, as you’ll end up with an uneven and clumpy consistency. Make sure to follow the instructions above for a rich, creamy and smooth cocoa. Hope that helps! 🙂
one more question…how long is it safe to leave hot cocoa containing milk like that in the crockpot for even if i keep it pn warm setting?
Hi Marissa ~ when I make it, I’ve always had it last for several hours kept on the warm setting.
Made this tonight for my girls’ night hot chocolate bar. It was perfect! Thanks for the recipe!
You’re very welcome, Jaime… so glad everyone loved it! 🙂
What size crock pot do I need to make this?
Hi Stephanie ~ a 4 quart or larger will work great. Hope that helps! 🙂
Ok I need to make this for my daughter’s school christmas party. There are 24 kids. When you make this does it only fill up the crockpot halfway? If so can I double it to fill the crockpot up all the way?? I see it makes 5. Just trying to see if I need 2 or 4 crockpots?
Hi Jessica ~ the recipe will fill up a 6 – 7 quart Crockpot about halfway, and yes… it can be doubled. Hope that helps! 🙂
Just made your crockpot hot cocoa. It was fabulous!!! Wanted Starbucks earlier today but the line was crazy. I put cinnamon on my whipped cream and a small candy cane in mine. It was better than Starbucks in my opinion! Thanks for sharing a new family favorite!!!
Aww ~ you’re very welcome, Tonja! I’m so glad you loved it… even more than Starbucks! 😉
I made this for Christmas morning and it was a big hit! I found some awesome super mini marshmallows at the Amish store which made it even more awesome. 🙂
So glad you liked it, Stacy! The mini marshmallows sound like a fabulous addition! 😉