Slow Cooker Hot Chocolate
Looking for a creamy hot cocoa recipe? This Slow Cooker Hot Chocolate is made with cocoa powder, sweetened condensed milk, and vanilla.
One of my favorite holiday traditions we do as a family during December is to make a batch of hot chocolate and watch Christmas movies. It is something we look forward to every year and it truly never gets old. This year, I decided to try this recipe for Slow Cooker Hot Chocolate, and I must say, it was the best hot chocolate I’ve ever had! This slow cooker hot cocoa is a totally from scratch recipe. No packets with the dried marshmallows required. Ha! The combination of four simple pantry ingredients make for a rich, creamy and chocolatey drink. Yum!
SLOW COOKER HOT CHOCOLATE
This festive hot cocoa is the perfect thing to serve at a holiday party or DIY hot chocolate bar. If you’re making it for a Christmas party, I think the bonus of doing it in a slow cooker is to avoid turning on the stove top or making a million batches of packets in the microwave. Don’t forget the whipped cream, marshmallows, and chocolate sauce drizzled on top. Comment below and tell me how you like to top off your holiday hot cocoa!
Find my expert tips on how to make homemade hot chocolate below! Don’t forget to tag me in all of your creations @lifeinthelofthouse on Instagram or Facebook. Let’s stay connected. ❤️
Why You’ll Love This Slow Cooker Hot Chocolate Recipe:
- Easy-To-Make: Just whisk everything together and let your slow cooker do the work.
- Perfect Holiday Beverage: This homemade hot cocoa recipe is perfect for the holidays, movie nights, or any cold-weather get-togethers.
- Rich & Creamy: The sweetened condensed milk makes it extra smooth and indulgent as all hot chocolates should be!
- Customizable: Add your favorite toppings like marshmallows, whipped cream, chocolate shavings, or crushed candy canes to make this hot cocoa extra special and festive.
- Stays Warm for Hours: Keep it on the warm setting so guests can enjoy a mug anytime and come back for seconds. It’s perfect for a hot cocoa bar.
Ingredients
- 8 cups hot water
- 1/2 cup unsweetened cocoa powder
- 1 can (14 ounces) sweetened condensed milk
- 2 teaspoons vanilla extract
Instructions
Pour water into a large 7-quart slow cooker. Whisk in cocoa powder, milk, and vanilla. Whisk well to combine. Cover with lid and set on low heat until hot or ready to serve. (Once it is hot, you can keep it on the warm setting so it doesn’t burn.)
Serve in individual mugs and top with favorite toppings like marshmallows and whipped cream, etc.
Servings
Yields: 8 cups of slow cooker hot cocoa. This recipe can easily be doubled to serve a larger crowd.
Storage and Reheating
Let the hot chocolate cool, then store it in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 4 days. Reheat on the stove over medium-low heat, in the microwave in 30-second intervals, or in the slow cooker on warm, stirring occasionally. If it thickens, whisk in a little milk or water until smooth and creamy again.
Holly’s Tips for the Best Slow Cooker Hot Chocolate:
- Use High-Quality Cocoa Powder: The better the cocoa, the richer and more chocolatey your hot cocoa will taste. Dutch-processed cocoa gives a smooth, deep flavor.
- Whisk Thoroughly: Make sure to whisk the cocoa powder well into the water before heating to avoid any lumps and ensure a silky texture.
- Don’t Overheat: Once the hot chocolate is warm and creamy, switch your slow cooker to the warm setting to prevent it from burning or curdling.
- Adjust As Needed: It’s best to taste before serving. If you like hot chocolate sweeter, stir in a little extra sweetened condensed milk or a spoonful of sugar.
- Add Festive Flavors: Stir in a splash of peppermint extract, caramel syrup, or a pinch of cinnamon for a fun flavor upgrade.
- Make It Extra Creamy: Replace 1–2 cups of water with milk or half-and-half for a richer, more indulgent texture.
Frequently Asked Questions:
Yes! You can prepare it up to 4 days in advance. Let it cool, store it in an airtight container in the fridge, and reheat in the slow cooker, on the stove, or in the microwave before serving.
Absolutely. Replacing part or all of the water with milk or half-and-half makes the hot chocolate even creamier and richer in flavor.
It usually takes about 2 hours on low to reach the perfect serving temperature. Once hot, switch to the warm setting to keep it ready without burning.
Keep your slow cooker on the warm setting during your event and give it a stir every so often to maintain a smooth, creamy texture.
Use dairy-free sweetened condensed milk (such as coconut-based) and swap the water for your favorite non-dairy milk like almond, oat, or coconut milk.
This Slow Cooker Hot Chocolate is naturally gluten-free! Just be sure to use certified gluten-free cocoa powder and sweetened condensed milk. Most brands are safe, but always check labels for cross-contamination warnings. Also, double-check toppings like marshmallows, whipped cream, or flavored syrups to ensure they’re gluten-free before serving.
Similar Recipes
Craving something similar? Give my Slow Cooker Peppermint Hot Chocolate a try next.
Wanting something chilled? My festive Sparkling Cranberry Cider is refreshing and easy to make with Martinelli’s cider, Sprite & cranberry juice.
In the mood for something different? My Christmas Punch is another festive party drink, made with cranberry juice, orange juice, lemon-lime soda, fresh cranberries, and rosemary.
Looking for a holiday dessert to pair with this hot holiday beverage? My Candy Cane Kiss Sugar Cookie Bars are soft and chewy cookie bars filled with white chocolate candy cane kisses. Yum!
Have you made this Slow Cooker Hot Chocolate recipe? ☕️
Leave a review, and don’t forget to tag me in your creations on Instagram and Facebook! @lifeinthelofthouse! #SlowCookerHotChocolate #HomemadeHotChocolate #LifeInTheLofthouse
Slow Cooker Hot Chocolate
Ingredients
- 8 cups hot water
- 1/2 cup unsweetened cocoa powder
- 1 can (14 ounces) sweetened condensed milk
- 2 teaspoons vanilla extract
Instructions
- Pour water into a large 7 quart slow cooker. Whisk in cocoa powder, milk and vanilla. Whisk well to combine. Cover with lid and set on low heat until hot or ready to serve. (Once it is hot you can keep it on the warm setting so it doesn’t burn.)
- Serve in individual mugs and top with favorite toppings! Marshmallows, whipped cream, etc.
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I made this for my students for our end of semester party and they loved it! Multiple teens declared it was by far the best hot chocolate they’d ever had. I made a double batch and it was gone in less than 2 hours. Thank you for the recipe!
This is right up my alley. Looks delicious. I know young & old will enjoy it for Christmas Eve celebration.
Which brand of unsweetened cocoa did you use?
This is definitely the best hot chocolate ever. We love it!! Only problem is that it makes a big batch and sometimes I just want a cup or two. Have you found a good way to store leftovers? I put in a container in the fridge and it just separated.
Hi Jeni! I am so glad you love this recipe! I am not sure how to store the leftovers other than the fridge. If you want to cut the recipe in half it does halve easily. You can just store the remainder of the sweetened condensed milk in the fridge, that would probably store better then the leftover hot chocolate.