This crock pot hot chocolate recipe is the perfect way to warm up on a cold day. Just throw all of the ingredients of this easy recipe into your crock pot and let it do all the work for you – in just a few hours, you’ll have delicious, steamy hot chocolate that’s perfect for curling up with.

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As the snow falls and winter takes hold, there is nothing quite like curling up by the fire with a warm cup of hot chocolate, but making hot chocolate on the stove top can be time consuming and tedious, especially if you’re trying to make enough for a whole family. That’s why we love this Crock Pot Hot Chocolate recipe.

Warm and Cozy Crock Pot Hot Chocolate

This delicious hot chocolate recipe is made in the slow cooker for easy, no-fuss preparation. You can make a big batch at once and it yields 8 to 10 servings so there’s plenty to go around.

It’s rich, creamy and indulgent – perfect for snow days or holiday parties! Plus, you can always adjust the ingredients to meet your flavor preferences.

How do you make hot chocolate in a slow cooker?

This recipe calls for 1 1/4 cup unsweetened cocoa powder, 14 ounce can sweetened condensed milk, 6 cups whole milk, 2 cups heavy whipping cream, 2 teaspoons pure vanilla extract and 2 cups milk chocolate chips. You can substitute semi-sweet chocolate chips for the milk if you prefer a richer chocolate taste.

Recipe Instructions

In a microwave safe bowl heat one cup of milk to just before boiling. You can also do this on a stovetop.

Gently whisk the cocoa powder into the milk making a chocolate milk mixture

In a large slow cooker (at least four quart), combine sweetened condensed milk, remaining whole milk, heavy whipping cream, vanilla extract and chocolate chips.

Stir in the chocolate milk mixture.

Cover and cook on low for two hours stirring every 15 minutes to mix the melted chips into the mixture.

Ladle into mugs and serve topped with the mini marshmallows.

Ingredients for Crock Pot Hot Chocolate

Unsweetened Cocoa Powder

The unsweetened cocoa powder is the key to this delicious hot chocolate recipe. It adds a wonderful depth of flavor that creates an incredibly rich and indulgent beverage.

Sweetened Condensed Milk

The sweetened condensed milk is the perfect partner for the cocoa powder and helps to create a deliciously smooth and creamy hot chocolate. It also adds just the right amount of sweetness to balance out the rich, bittersweet cocoa flavor.

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Adding it to the Crock Pot helps this recipe come together quickly with little fuss. The end result is an incredibly indulgent cup of hot chocolate.

In addition to its delicious flavor, sweetened condensed milk also has some health benefits. It is a source of calcium and vitamin D that help support strong bones and teeth.

The natural sweetness also means you don’t have to add as much extra sugar – making it a healthier option for everyone. Enjoying this Crock Pot Hot Chocolate recipe can be a healthier snow day treat.

Heavy Whipping Cream

The heavy whipping cream adds a luxurious texture and richness to the hot chocolate, elevating it from a plain cup of cocoa to an indulgent treat. This ingredient also helps make the hot chocolate smoother, creamier and more decadent.

By combining this with the sweetened condensed milk, you create a perfectly balanced flavor that is both rich and creamy.

Heavy whipping cream is a great choice for adding richness and texture to any recipe, and it also has some health benefits. It contains beneficial fats that can help support healthy cholesterol levels and provide essential fatty acids. In addition, it can be a source of vitamins A, D, K and E which are important for the body’s overall health.

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Whole Milk

Whole milk is essential for this Crock Pot Hot Chocolate recipe. Not only does it provide a creamy, smooth texture that everyone will love but it also helps the other ingredients emulsify and blend together when heated in the slow cooker.

Whole milk contains more fat than other varieties like skim or almond, which makes it great for recipes where creaminess and body are desired. Plus, it’s packed with essential vitamins and minerals that your body needs – making this hot chocolate an indulgent yet nutritious treat.

Whole milk is an excellent source of essential vitamins and minerals, including vitamin A, B-12, calcium and phosphorus. It also contains beneficial fatty acids that can help support healthy cholesterol levels. The high fat content in whole milk helps to promote satiety, so you may feel fuller for longer after enjoying a cup of this Crock Pot hot chocolate.

Pure Vanilla Extract

The addition of pure vanilla extract adds a delicious flavor to the Crock Pot Hot Chocolate recipe. It enhances the cocoa powder and sweetened condensed milk for a more complex, rich taste.

Vanilla also helps round out all of the flavors, adding a hint of sweetness without overpowering everything else. And because it’s so mild in flavor, it is the perfect compliment to the other flavors in this Crock Pot Hot Chocolate.

Pure vanilla extract also has some health benefits. It is packed with antioxidants that can help protect against cell damage and oxidative stress. Studies have also shown that it can be beneficial for reducing inflammation, improving digestion, and even helping to boost your mood. Additionally, pure vanilla extract contains B-vitamins which are essential for overall health and wellness.

Milk Chocolate Chips

Milk chocolate chips are a key ingredient in this Crock Pot Hot Chocolate recipe. The sweet, creamy flavor of the chips helps mellow out the intense flavor of cocoa powder and gives a balanced taste that everyone can enjoy.

Plus, they add an extra layer of sweetness that complements the other flavors perfectly. The melting chocolate also creates a thicker hot chocolate.

Milk chocolate chips are a great source of essential nutrients, like calcium, phosphorus and iron. They also contain beneficial fatty acids that can help support healthy cholesterol levels. Additionally, they provide a good source of antioxidants which may help reduce oxidative stress. Studies have even shown that consuming dark or milk chocolate can improve moods and increase feelings of satisfaction.

Recipe Substitutions

For this Crock Pot Hot Chocolate recipe, there are a few substitutions that you can make. You could use semi-sweet chips instead of milk chocolate chips or substitute heavy cream for the whole milk. To reduce sugar, you could try using unsweetened cocoa and adding honey or maple syrup to sweeten it up.

Finally, for a healthier version you could use coconut cream or almond milk instead of whole milk. With these substitutions, you can easily customize the Crock Pot Hot Chocolate recipe to suit your taste.

Nutrition info for Slow Cooker Hot Chocolate

This Crock Pot Hot Chocolate recipe yields approximately 8-10 servings. Each serving contains approximately 310 calories, 24g of carbohydrates, 15g of fat, and 8g of protein. The hot chocolate is also a good source of calcium, iron, phosphorus and B-vitamins. Enjoy!

How to Store Crock Pot Hot Chocolate

This Crock Pot Hot Chocolate can be stored in an airtight container for up to two days. To extend its life, you can freeze it in individual portions and thaw when ready to serve. When reheating the hot chocolate, make sure to do so over low heat until just heated through.

This Crock Pot Hot Chocolate is a great way to enjoy a warm drink on cold winter days. You can customize the recipe to suit your tastes and add marshmallows, whipped cream or other toppings for an extra layer of sweetness. Give this delicious recipe a try and let us know what you think in the comments below! Enjoy!

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