Crockpot hot cocoa is a decadent treat on a cold winter day! Learn how to make slow cooker hot chocolate just the way you like it, for a family or a crowd!
I think we can all agree that the slow cooker is one of the most versatile tools in the kitchen! Slow cooker hot chocolate is easy to make using ingredients you probably already have on hand.
Of course, our crockpot hot cocoa is rich, creamy, and delicious! But even better than that, it can be kept hot right in your slow cooker for hours. You and your guests can come back for second and third servings all afternoon or evening…whenever you need a warm-up from the snow!
Here’s the best slow cooker hot chocolate recipe, plus six easy crockpot hot chocolate variations so you can make it just the way you like it… from boozy to extra rich and sweet… to hot cocoa for a crowd, we’ve got you covered! Let’s dive in!
How to Make Slow Cooker Hot Chocolate: Step-By-Step
The key to success with crockpot hot cocoa is to heat all the ingredients up together with the temperature set to low. That way, the milk won’t scorch, cook, or curdle. You’ll end up with delicious, creamy hot cocoa… to warm up your family or a crowd on a cold winter’s day!
Feel free to add flavored syrup to any of these recipes. Mint, cinnamon, and liquor flavored syrups are popular choices for hot cocoa, but the options are truly endless!. You can find our favorite flavored syrup recommendations here.
I’ve included links to some of my favorite ingredients in the recipes for your convenience, but you should feel free to substitute whatever you prefer or have on hand. Here’s the best slow cooker hot chocolate recipe that’s simple and easy to make with cocoa powder and chocolate chips!
Makes eight 1-cup servings
Prep Time: 5 minutes
Cook Time: 2 hours
Total Time Until Serving: 2 hours and 5 minutes
Ingredients for Slow Cooker Hot Chocolate:
- 1 ½ cups Ghirardelli Premium Milk Chocolate Chips OR Ghirardelli PremiumSemi-Sweet Chocolate Chips
- ¼ cup Ghirardelli Unsweetened Premium Cocoa Powder
- ½ cup granulated sugar
- 1 teaspoon Watkins All-Natural Gourmet Vanilla Extract
- 1 cup heavy cream
- 6 cups whole milk
Miniature marshmallows and/or whipped cream for topping
How to Make Slow Cooker Hot Chocolate:
- Combine all of the ingredients except the toppings in your Crockpot 2-quart (or larger) Slow Cooker. Stir until well combined.
- Set your Crockpot to low and put the lid on. Cook for two hours, whisking every 15 minutes or so until the chocolate is dissolved.
- That’s it! Your hot cocoa is ready to serve with mini marshmallows or whipped cream topping, as desired. The hot cocoa will keep in your Crockpot for at least two hours. Just be sure to give it a stir before serving to ensure that all the ingredients are combined.
6 Easy Recipe Variations for Slow Cooker Hot Chocolate Just the Way You Like It
Ultra Rich Crockpot Hot Cocoa Made With Condensed Milk
Homemade slow cooker hot chocolate can also be made with sweetened condensed milk. This version is heavier, richer, and sweeter than the original recipe above. Serve it with our Starbuck’s Copycat Double Chocolate Brownies for a sinfully sweet and decadent dessert on a cold and windy winter’s night… we promise you won’t be disappointed!
Makes ten 1-cup servings
Prep Time: 5 Minutes
Cook Time: 2 Hours
Total Time Until Serving: 2 Hours and 5 minutes
Ingredients for Ultra-Rich Slow Cooker Hot Chocolate:
- 6 cups whole milk
- 1 14-ounce can of sweetened condensed milk
- 2 cups Ghirardelli Premium Semisweet Chocolate Chips
- 1 ½ cups heavy whipping cream
- 1 teaspoon Watkins All-Natural Gourmet Vanilla Extract
How to Make Ultra Rich Slow Cooker Hot Chocolate:
- Combine all of the ingredients in your Crockpot 3-Quart (or larger) Slow Cooker. Stir until well combined.
- Cover and cook on low for two hours. Stir every 15 minutes until the chocolate chips are dissolved, then stir occasionally until serving.
- That’s it! Serve your ultra-rich hot cocoa right from your crockpot, topped with mini marshmallows or whipped cream as desired.
Creamy Nutella Crockpot Hot Chocolate
Slow cooker hot chocolate with Nutella is super easy to make and the combination of hazelnut and chocolate is to die for. Just follow the original recipe above and add ¾ of a cup of Nutella Chocolate Hazelnut Spread to the slow cooker with the rest of the ingredients. Be sure to stir every 15 minutes until everything is melted and well incorporated.
Slow Cooker Hot Chocolate with No Cream
If you prefer, you can skip the heavy cream and make low-fat crockpot hot cocoa using equal amounts of low fat or fat-free milk, or your favorite vegan milk substitute. Just keep in mind that the cream is what gives your crockpot hot cocoa the decadent richness and creaminess we all crave. You simply can’t get with regular milk.
Slow Cooker Hot Chocolate with Alcohol
Boozy slow cooker hot chocolate can be made with Baily’s Irish Cream or your favorite bourbon. Simply add a shot of your favorite alcohol right to your mug, ladle your slow cooker hot chocolate over top, stir to combine, and add toppings as desired.
Sugar-Free Slow Cooker Hot Chocolate
Our original slow cooker hot chocolate recipe can easily be made sugar-free and Keto friendly. Simply substitute equal amounts of Lilly’s Semi-Sweet Chocolate Chips (sweetened with stevia) for regular chocolate chips and use Granulated Swerve Sweetener in place of regular sugar.
Slow Cooker Hot Chocolate for a Crowd
To make slow cooker hot chocolate for a crowd simply double our original recipe to make 16 servings. Or you can double the Ultra-Rich Slow Cooker Hot Chocolate recipe to serve 20 people. Either recipe is perfect for a classroom or any kid-friendly gathering.
Keep in mind that you will need a 6-Quart or larger Crockpot to make a double batch. Since you will be heating a larger amount, you’ll want to allow about three hours for the chocolate to melt and all the ingredients to get nice and hot.
Frequently Asked Questions About Slow Cooker Hot Chocolate
What size crockpot do I need to make slow cooker hot chocolate?
A two or three-quart slow cooker is all you need for 8-10 servings of slow cooker hot chocolate. If you’re making hot cocoa for a crowd, you’ll need a six or seven-quart slow cooker.
Can I reheat slow cooker hot chocolate?
Sure! It can be reheated in a saucepan on the stove over low heat, or by the mug in your microwave, according to your preference.
How long does slow cooker hot chocolate last?
You can serve your slow cooker hot chocolate right from your crockpot for up to three hours on the lowest heat setting. After that, you should remove it from the heat, let it cool, and store it in the fridge for reheating over the next two to three days.
I don’t want to wait two hours. Can I make slow cooker hot chocolate on the stove instead?
Yes! If you’re in a hurry, you can make slow cooker hot chocolate on your stovetop in about ten minutes. Simply combine the ingredients in a pot over low to medium heat. Stir constantly to avoid scorching and serve as soon as everything is melted and hot.
