Make hot chocolate for a crowd with this easy, sweet, and creamy Crock Pot Hot Chocolate!

We have a crock pot filled with hot chocolate, Hocus Pocus is playing on the TV, and we’ve broken into three bags of Halloween candy. We’re kicking off the holiday season the best way we know how.

Let’s talk Hot Chocolate! If you’ve tried my Hot Chocolate recipe you know that it is incredible (check out all those 5 star reviews!). It’s creamy, sweet, chocolaty, and so easy. I used that recipe as inspiration for this Crock Pot Hot Chocolate.

How to make Crock Pot Hot Chocolate

Start by gathering the following ingredients:

Milk
Cream or half and half
Unsweetened cocoa powder
Granulated sugar
Chocolate chips
Vanilla Extract

Warm some of the milk in the microwave or on the stovetop. Whisk in the cocoa powder (heating the milk will ensure that the cocoa powder blends quickly and easily).
Add the milk/cocoa mixture and all the other ingredients into a slow cooker.
Heat over high heat, whisking the mixture occasionally.
Once the hot chocolate is warm and the chocolate chips are melted, reduce the heat to low or “keep warm”.

Recipe tips

Use cream for a richer hot chocolate.
Choose good quality chocolate chips; the flavor will come through.
Semisweet chocolate chips are my favorite choice here, but you can also use milk chocolate or bittersweet chocolate (the flavor will vary a bit).
Adjust the hot chocolate to suit your taste. If you want a deeper chocolate flavor you can add more chocolate chips or cocoa powder. If you want it sweetener you can add more sugar.

Toppings and flavor variations

Marshmallows: Marshmallows should be added to the crock pot right before serving (they will melt if they’re in there too long). You can also add marshmallows to each mug of hot chocolate.
Whipped cream: Add a dollop of whipped cream to each mug as you serve it.
Chocolate shavings: Sprinkle the top of each serving with some finely chopped chocolate. It will melt slightly adding a rich chocolate flavor to each sip.
Espresso: A shot of espresso is a delicious addition to each serving (it tastes like a mocha from a coffee shop).
Bailey’s Irish cream: Spike the adults’ hot chocolate by adding a shot of Bailey’s.

More hot chocolate recipes

Recipe

Hot chocolate in a white mug topped with marshmallows.

Crock Pot Hot Chocolate

Make hot chocolate for a crowd with this easy, sweet, and creamy Crock Pot Hot Chocolate!

5 from 8 votes

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Course: Beverages

Cuisine: American

Prep Time: 5

Cook Time: 2

Total Time: 2 5

Servings:

Calories: 185kcal

Author: Allison - Celebrating Sweets

Ingredients

▢ 6 cups milk (I use whole or 2%), divided
▢ ½ cup unsweetened cocoa powder
▢ 2 cups heavy cream or half and half
▢ ½ cup granulated sugar
▢ 1½ cups chocolate chips (I use semisweet)
▢ 2 teaspoons pure vanilla extract
▢ marshmallows, for topping

Instructions

Heat 2 cups of milk in the microwave or on the stovetop. It just needs to be warm; don't boil it. Add the cocoa powder and whisk until combined (this helps the cocoa powder to blend really easily). Add this mixture to the slow cooker along with the remaining 4 cups of milk and all of the other ingredients.
Cook on high heat, whisking occasionally. It will take 30 minutes or so for the chocolate chips to melt, so be sure to whisk regularly until that happens. Once the chocolate chips are melted and the mixture is really warm, reduce the slow cooker to low or "keep warm".
Serving: Give the hot chocolate a whisk or stir before serving. Top each serving with marshmallows. Note: If you add the marshmallows directly into the slow cooker they will eventually melt.