This Crockpot Hot Chocolate will warm you from the inside out! It’s easy, made from scratch with dairy free and vegan options — perfect for your holiday parties!
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Christmas is quickly approaching, friends, and I’m back with another slow cooker recipe to make your holiday parties that much easier:
Crockpot Hot Chocolate.
It’s easy, it’s made from scratch (which means you can customize it to your tastes and even make it dairy free or vegan), and it makes a ton and keeps it warm for all of your guests!
This is the easiest way to do homemade hot chocolate for a crowd because all you have to do is dump in your ingredients, set it and forget it.
We have a little tradition over here through the fall and winter where we have coffee break together every day after my oldest daughter gets home from school.
It’s one of our favorites times of the day because we get to reconnect and talk to each other, and mom and dad get a much needed boost of caffeine to make it through the day.
This Crockpot Hot Chocolate is getting lots of use this winter! My girls prefer their mugs about half hot chocolate and half mini marshmallows 😉
How to make this homemade hot chocolate on the stove top:
To make this on the stove top, simply add all of your ingredients to a large pot, whisk well, and heat over medium heat.
It’s important that you do not let the mixture boil as the milk may separate, so keep the heat to medium or medium low and let it warm up gently. Once you start to see quite a few small bubbles around the edges, it’s hot and ready!
I recommend pouring into a large carafe to keep it warm for a longer period of time and to make it easier to serve.
How to make this homemade hot chocolate in the microwave:
Because this hot chocolate recipe makes a large batch, it’s not best made in the microwave. If you don’t want to use the slow cooker, the next easiest option is to use a large pot on the stove or to reduce the size of the batch using the calculator in the recipe card to adjust servings.
It’s not impossible or even difficult to make this in the microwave though. Simply combine all ingredients in a large microwave-safe bowl (be sure to leave some room at the top), and microwave in two minute intervals, stirring well each time, until hot.
Variations of this Crockpot Hot Chocolate:
- You can make this homemade hot chocolate dairy-free and vegan by swapping the milk for almond or coconut milk — almond and coconut are both incredibly delicious with chocolate! You will also need to leave out the chocolate chips or substitute for dairy free chocolate (don’t worry! It will still be rich and chocolatey without).
- Try adding a candy cane or some mint extract for a peppermint hot chocolate.
- Try stirring in a spoonful of caramel sauce and a pinch of salt for a salted caramel hot chocolate.
- Try adding a spoonful of instant coffee granules for an afternoon caffeine boost.
Crockpot Hot Chocolate
written by Ashley Fehr
Ingredients
- 5 cups whole milk
- 1 cup half and half cream
- 3/4 cup granulated sugar
- 1/2 cup semisweet chocolate chips
- 1/2 cup unsweetened cocoa powder
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
- 1 cup mini marshmallows
Instructions
- In a 2.5-4 quart crockpot, whisk together milk, cream, sugar, chocolate chips and cocoa powder until cocoa powder is dissolved.
- Heat on low for 2 hours, until chocolate is melted and hot chocolate is warmed through.
- Stir in vanilla and top with mini marshmallows. Cover, turn the slow cooker off, and let sit for 5 minutes for marshmallows to soften if desired. Serve.
Nutrition Information
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Lynn says
I made this as part of a boozy hot chocolate bar and it received rave reviews. Thank you for an easy wonderful recipe! Combining it with fun toppings and Bailey’s, Kahlua, or peanut butter whiskey were a hit with my guests and saved me from having to make desert.
Lara says
Love this recipe! I found this recipe in late 2022 and have made many batches. It’s wonderful, sweet and thick. I serve it up with a tray of peppermint sticks, extra chocolate and white chips, marshmallows, and cinnamon sticks.
The Recipe Rebel says
Great to hear! Thank you Lara!
Julie says
I’ve heard this is amazing!! Any tips for making day before and reheating? And about how many cups does this make? Looking to use it at a fundraiser and trying to prepare! Thanks! 😊
The Recipe Rebel says
Hi Julie! I’m sure it would be fine to make ahead of time. I didn’t measure it out in cups but you do get 8 portions from it. Enjoy!
Mary Frum says
How would you substitute Almond Milk in this recipe?
Ashley Fehr says
You can just swap almond milk for the dairy milk
Amanda says
Do you use sweetened or unsweetened coconut milk for dairy free option? Also, what do you replace for half and half to make dairy free?
Ashley Fehr says
I would just use the full fat coconut milk from the can to make dairy free — it will still be rich and creamy!
Kimberly A Harrison says
i used lactaid free milk and added peppermint hershey kisses to the mix
Sherry Chamberlin says
I haven’t made this yet. It sounds delicious though. I actually have a question. I’d like to make this for when my son and his daughter are here for the weekend and my son is a diabetic and that to me is too much sugar for him. Can I substitute sweetener for the sugar or something else to give it that slight sweetness without causing him any trouble. The semi-sweet chocolate chips is going to be enough sugar already. Unless you think I could use sugar free chocolate chips if they exist. I would just like to modify it so he could also enjoy this. Thank you so much for all the wonderful recipes that you put out oh. I just recently made your mint cream cheese brownies and about died when I took a bite. They were delicious. hope to hear from you soon. Have a wonderful holiday.
Ashley Fehr says
Thanks Sherry! I think you could definitely substitute the sugar for sweetener and it wouldn’t be a problem!
Dee M. says
Delicious and easy recipe. I have made it a few times and recently doubled it with great results. Made it last weekend using Ghiradelli milk chocolate chips and it was so decadent. I put any leftover in glass canning jars and it reheats beautifully.
Ashley Fehr says
Thanks Dee! I’m so happy to hear you liked it!
Emilie says
I’m making this for a day in with -15 degree temps. I’m subbing coconut milk and coconut cream for regular milk and half and half.
Ashley Fehr says
I’d love to hear how it goes!
Lauren says
Homemade hot chocolate is the BEST!
Ashley Fehr says
Agreed!
Andie Thueson says
I’ll have to make this a night we go out and see the lights coming home to this in the crock pot would be magical!
Ashley Fehr says
That would be perfect!
Toni says
I love how comforting this is! Thanks for sharing the recipe!
Ashley Fehr says
Thanks Toni!
Becky Hardin says
Love making hot chocolate in the crock pot. Especially when we have a bonfire.
Ashley Fehr says
Yes, so perfect!
Rachael Yerkes says
Hot Chocolate recipes are my absolute favorite! I’ll make them all and this one is awesome!
Ashley Fehr says
Thanks Rachael!