Slow Cooker Hot Chocolate

4 from 6 votes

With just a few ingredients and less than five minutes to prepare, this is a rich, creamy hot chocolate that is great for entertaining or for chilly winter days. I like to put a batch in the slow cooker on snow days. It simmers for on low for 2 to 3 hours and then can be held on the warm setting for 3 hours, so it’s ready any time the kids come in from building snowmen.

This recipe can be made in a 4-quart or 6-quart slow cooker.

Prep Time5

Cook Time2 30

Total Time2 35

Course: Drinks

Keyword: chocolate, entertaining, party recipe, slow-cooker

Servings:

Author: Jess Smith via Inquiring Chef

Cost: $6.00

Equipment

4-quart or 6-quart Slow Cooker

Ingredients

8 cups Milk (see note)
1/4 cup Brown Sugar, light or dark
8 oz Baking Chocolate (use high quality chocolate bars; I like Baker’s dark chocolate - 56% to 66% cacao)
1 Cinnamon Stick (optional)
2 tsp Pure Vanilla extract (optional)
Marshmallows (optional)

Instructions

Combine milk and sugar in the bowl of a slow cooker. Whisk to combine. Add chocolate (just drop the whole bars in) and cinnamon stick.
Cover and cook on low for 2 to 3 hours until everything is melted (every slow cooker is different, but 2 1/2 hours is about right in my machine).
Whisk in vanilla extract.
At this point the slow cooker can be left on warm for up to 3 hours.
Top with marshmallows.

Notes

Milk, dark chocolate, and brown sugar are the only real requirements for this hot chocolate. The cinnamon stick and vanilla extra simply add to the depth of flavor of the drink.

Any type of milk will work here. Whole milk will make in a more rich and creamy result, but 2% or skim work just fine. Almond milk or another alternative milk can be used too.

Nutrition