Creamy, decadent, and luscious, this Slow Cooker Hot Chocolate Recipe is one you’ll want to be making all winter long! It’s the perfect big batch hot chocolate to serve up for any party or gathering of friends and family.

Helpful Tips

• Semi-sweet baking bar. Finely chop the baking bar so that it melts easier. You can also use chocolate chips, but I find they take longer to dissolve.
• Whole milk and cream. This recipe calls for heavy cream and whole milk which makes a very thick and creamy hot chocolate. If you want it thinner, you can use 2 cups of heavy cream instead of 4 and add 2 cups of milk in its place. You can also use 2% or 1% milk to thin it out and cut back on calories, but keep in mind the hot chocolate will be much thinner.
• Mix the cocoa with cream first. I highly recommend whisking the cocoa with half of the heavy cream until fully combined, before adding the rest of the heavy cream and other ingredients. Otherwise, it will take a very long time to mix the cocoa powder in as it tends to want to just sit on top.
• Stir every 20 minutes. While the hot chocolate is cooking, be sure to stir every 20 minutes or so to avoid the chocolate burning on the sides.
• Add more milk if needed. This slow cooker hot chocolate tends to thicken as it sits, so feel free to stir in more milk to your desired thickness.
• Topping Ideas. If serving this at a party, you can set out 3 or 4 different toppings so that everyone can choose their favorite, like marshmallows, whipped cream, chocolate sauce, candy canes – either crushed or the full candy cane for stirring, spices like nutmeg and cinnamon, and caramel Sauce or dulce de leche.

How to Make Slow Cooker Hot Chocolate Step By Step

• Gather your ingredients.

• Add 2 cups of heavy cream to a 6 quart slow cooker. Whisk in 1/3 cup unsweetened cocoa powder until fully dissolved and combined – this can take a few minutes.

• Once fully incorporated, pour in another 2 cups heavy cream and 4 cups whole milk.

• Then add in a 14 ounce can sweetened condensed milk, 12 ounces finely chopped semi-sweet chocolate, and 1 teaspoon vanilla.

• Place on low for 3 hours, stirring every 20 minutes or so until the chocolate is melted and fully combined, and the hot chocolate is hot.
• Switch to the warm setting for up to 3 hours for serving. If the hot chocolate gets too thick while it sits, you can stir in more milk to your desired thickness.
• Serve with your desired toppings such as marshmallows, whipped cream, chocolate syrup, or crushed candy canes!


Make Ahead and Proper Storage

You can make this homemade hot chocolate up to 6 hours in advance. It will take 3 hours for the ingredients to melt for the perfect creamy hot chocolate and then you can leave it on the “warm” setting for up to 3 hours more. I don’t recommend refrigerating then reheating this, though you can always enjoy an iced hot chocolate the next day!

More Dessert Drink Recipes:

• Homemade Eggnog
• Hot Buttered Rum
• Mulled Wine
• Fruit Punch
• Brandy Alexander Milkshake

I hope you love this delicious and easy recipe – be sure to give it a review below! Also don’t forget to follow Belly Full on TikTok, Facebook, Instagram, Pinterest, and YouTube!