This big batch crockpot hot chocolate is rich, creamy, and loaded with 3 different kinds of chocolate. Perfect for entertaining during the holidays or for cozying up on the couch on a chilly day.
Why this recipe works
Made with three different types of chocolate – dark, white, and milk, you can bet this crockpot hot chocolate recipe is ultra-indulgent. Big-batch hot chocolate is perfect for entertaining guests during the holidays. Simply dump it all in the slow cooker, remember to give it a stir every 30 minutes, and it’ll be ready to sip on in only 2 hours.
Don’t forget to deck out the serving station with mini marshmallows, whipped cream, chocolate sauce, or extra chocolate chips to garnish with! If you’re serving this in the fall, our pumpkin spice hot chocolate makes a worthy companion on the beverage table.
Ingredients you will need
Get all measurements, ingredients, and instructions in the printable version at the end of this post.
Ingredient Info and Substitution Suggestions
CHOCOLATE – We used equal amounts of dark, white, and milk chocolate chips. The Ghiradellhi brand makes great chocolate chips but any kind will work. If preferred, you can chop up bars of baking chocolate instead. It goes without saying that you can definitely substitute or omit a specific kind of chocolate if you aren’t a fan of it. Simply replace it with the other kind you are using. Cinnamon, butterscotch, peppermint, and semi-sweet chips also work!
ADDITIONS – I would highly recommend sticking to heavy whipping cream and sweetened condensed milk for this hot chocolate recipe. These are what make it super creamy. On top of those, you’ll also need milk. Either 2% or whole milk will work here.
How to Make Crockpot Hot Chocolate
These step by step photos and instructions are here to help you visualize how to make this recipe. You can Jump to Recipe to get the printable version of this recipe, complete with measurements and instructions at the bottom.
- Place the milk, heavy whipping cream, and sweetened condensed milk in the crockpot and stir well to combine.
- Add in all the chocolate chips and place the lid on the crockpot.
- Set the heat to low for 2-3 hours. Remove the lid and give the mixture a thorough stir every 30 minutes or so.
TIP – Ours was ready just past 1 hour and 30 minutes, but plan to give it 2 hours in case yours takes longer. You can always set it to warm if needed!
- Serve with marshmallows, whipped cream, candy canes, or extra chocolate chips.
TIP – If you are preparing this for a party, be sure to check on the hot chocolate in the slow cooker every now and then to make sure it isn’t curdling. Keep the crockpot on the warm setting and give it a stir every once in while to prevent this.
Frequently Asked Questions & Expert Tips
Absolutely. You can easily replace all the chocolate with a singular type, or use half dark and half milk, etc.
This recipe works with either chopped chocolate bars or chocolate chips. It all comes down to preference! Opt for better quality chocolate chips or bar chocolate for the best flavor. The mixture of the three types of chocolate adds sweet, rich, and bitter notes to balance each other out perfectly.
Leftover hot chocolate can be stored in an air-tight container kept in the refrigerator for 3-4 days. Reheat in a saucepan or stockpot over medium-low heat, stirring often, until warmed through.
Serving Suggestions
Serve crockpot hot chocolate with all the classic fixings such as whipped cream, marshmallows, and chocolate syrup. On top of those, you can also turn it into a fun hot cocoa bar for parties with garnishes such as…
- Sprinkles
- Caramel syrup
- Crushed pretzels
- Crumbled Oreo cookies
- Chocolate chips or shavings
- Piroulines (rolled wafer cookies)
- Candy canes, peppermint sticks, or crushed peppermints
For the adults, turn it into spiked hot chocolate with a shot of peppermint Schnapps, Brandy’s Irish cream, or rum. There are so many fun flavors of liqueur you can choose from to jazz it up even further. Don’t add the liqueur to the crockpot, keep it on the side to taste and adjust for your individual cup.
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Crockpot Hot Chocolate
IMPORTANT – There are often Frequently Asked Questions within the blog post that you may find helpful. Simply scroll back up to read them!
Print It Rate ItIngredients
- 4 cups milk 2 % or whole
- 1 cup heavy whipping cream
- ½ cup sweetened condensed milk
- ½ cup dark chocolate chips
- ½ cup white chocolate chips
- ½ cup milk chocolate chips
Things You’ll Need
Before You Begin
- If preferred, you can chop up bars of chocolate instead. Substitute or omit a specific kind of chocolate if you aren’t a fan of it. Simply replace it with the other kind you are using. Cinnamon, butterscotch, peppermint, and semi-sweet chips also work!
Instructions
- Place the milk, heavy whipping cream, and sweetened condensed milk in the crockpot and stir well to combine.
- Add in all the chocolate chips and place the lid on the crockpot.
- Set the heat to low for 2-3 hours. Remove the lid and give the mixture a thorough stir every 30 minutes or so.TIP – Ours was ready just past 1 hour and 30 minutes, but plan to give it 2 hours in case yours takes longer. You can always set it to warm if needed.
Expert Tips & FAQs
- If you are preparing this for a party, be sure to check on the hot chocolate in the slow cooker every now and then to make sure it isn’t curdling. Keep the crockpot on the warm setting and give it a stir every once in while to prevent this.
- Leftover hot chocolate can be stored in an air-tight container kept in the refrigerator for 3-4 days. Reheat in a saucepan or stockpot over medium-low heat, stirring often, until warmed through.
- Serve crockpot hot chocolate with all the classic hot cocoa fixings such as whipped cream, marshmallows, and chocolate syrup.
- Make a hot chocolate bar for parties with a variety of toppings such as candy canes, crushed peppermints, crumbled Oreo cookies, Piroulines (rolled wafer cookies), caramel syrup, chocolate chips, and sprinkles.
- For the adults, turn it into spiked hot chocolate with a shot of peppermint Schnapps, Brandy’s Irish cream, or rum. There are so many fun flavors of liqueur you can choose from to jazz it up even further. Don’t add the liqueur to the crockpot, keep it on the side to taste and adjust to your individual cup.
Nutrition
Original recipe courtesy of Sugar, Spice, and Glitter. This post originally appeared here on October 21, 2018 and has since been updated with new photos and expert tips.
Kristen Rittmer
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Kim says
The recipe does not list vanilla extract but the description does. How much vanilla should be added?
Amanda Formaro says
Oh my gosh, so sorry for the confusion. That was referring to the white chocolate chips. There is no vanilla extract in this recipe. So where it said “add in the vanilla and chocolate chips” it meant “add in the white and chocolate chips”. I’ve reworded it to say “add in all the chocolate chips”. Sorry again and thanks for pointing that out!
Katie says
What alcohol could you put in it to make it an adult beverage?
Amanda Formaro says
Rum would be good as would vanilla vodka!
janet says
Would love to make this today! Is it 1/2 can of sweetened condensed milk or 1/2 cup? In the actual recipe it says 1/2 cup, but up above it says 1/2 can. Thank you!
Amanda Formaro says
Sorry I’m late in responding and thank you for pointing that out! Either way would have been ok, but technically 1/2 CUP. I have corrected the post. Thanks!
Natalie says
Looks so delicious, comforting and perfect for Fall! The days finally get a bit colder ♥