Easy Crockpot Hot Chocolate
Rich and creamy crockpot hot chocolate…so easy to make, and perfect for cozy fall and winter days, holiday parties, and guests. Make a crockpot on the weekend, for a party or gathering, or take to work to share with coworkers. Just a few ingredients is all you need to make this crowd pleaser!
Homemade hot chocolate is one of our very favorite things, and I love to make a big crockpot full on the weekend. If I’m lucky, it will last Saturday and Sunday. This stovetop recipe is the one I adapted for the crockpot, and I’ve been making it for years. It’s an absolute favorite at our house, and the taste is out of this world.
Rich and creamy, this hot chocolate will warm you from head to toe! It’s definitely our go to on snow days, and after skiing or sledding with Candy Cane Marshmallow Dippers and a slice of Chocolate Peppermint Roll. But it’s also wonderful on any cold day, just to warm up. The crockpot just makes it so easy, and it’s so nice to have it just sitting on the countertop, ready whenever we need it. It’s also ready to drink once it’s heated through, so it’s an easy crockpot recipe that doesn’t need to be warmed for hours beforehand.
Halloween, Thanksgiving, Christmas Eve, Christmas Day…all of these holidays are also perfect for Crockpot Hot Chocolate, and really the entire winter season. Make a big batch, and then people come and serve themselves whenever they want to. It’s super easy, cozy, SO yummy, and perfect for a crowd.
Table of contents
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Ingredients
- Whole Milk
- Half and Half
- Evaporated Milk
- Heavy Cream
- Chocolate chips
- Vanilla extract
This recipe utilizes chocolate chips instead of cocoa powder, which lends to its creaminess. You don’t need sweetened condensed milk either–just these basic ingredients!
Equipment
- You’ll need a crockpot for this recipe.
- You can also adapt for the stovetop (directions below), using a large pot or stockpot.
How to make
Mix all the ingredients together in a 6 quart crockpot. Cook on low for 3-4 hours (or until heated through to your liking), stirring often the first hour, to make sure the chocolate incorporates and doesn’t burn on the bottom. If you are in a crunch for time, you may need to start on high, to make sure it heats through faster. Stir every so often the first hour. Once it’s heated through, turn it down to low. It will also depend on your crockpot–I’ve made this recipe in several of them, and they all heat just a little bit differently.
In the 30 minutes before serving, add large and mini marshmallows to the crockpot. They’ll get all melty and yummy! Use a ladle to serve hot chocolate into mugs, then top with all of your favorite hot chocolate toppings.
Storage & Reheating
If you have any leftover hot chocolate, store it in the refrigerator after letting it cool to room temperature. (I like to use mason jars with a screw top lid.) It should last 3-4 days, but always check first. The way it smells, or if there is any change in texture are indicators it has spoiled. To reheat, pour back to your crockpot or in a large pot. It’s likely thickened while being refrigerated, so you’ll need to heat a bit of whole milk or half and half. Heat through and serve!
Recipe Tips
This recipe fills a 6 quart crockpot or slow cooker, so if you need more or less, you can adjust the recipe. It’s an easy one to cut in half if needed. There is also some versatility to the recipe as well—changing up the ratios of milk to heavy cream is just fine, depending on personal preference. If you like it a little thinner, and not quite as rich, add less cream and more milk. For a richer chocolate flavor, make the recipe as is, or even more cream and less milk if you like.
When it comes to the chocolate, I use a mix of milk chocolate chips and semi-sweet chocolate chips, and sometimes all milk chocolate. But again, that’s a preference. If you like darker chocolate, you can use it! I also have a heavy hand when it comes to the chocolate, so I’ve added more than the recipe calls for. Makes it more rich!
If you’ve ever wondered, there is a difference between hot chocolate and hot cocoa. Hot cocoa is made with cocoa powder, and typically lighter and more mild. Hot chocolate is made with real chocolate and cream, making it richer and thicker. Some hot chocolate recipes may use sweetened condensed milk, but this one doesn’t need it!
You also have an option when adding the chocolate. You can either put all the other ingredients in the crockpot and heat until warm, then stir in the chocolate after melting it in the microwave. Or you can add the chocolate chips from the beginning, then making sure to stir often the first hour or so they don’t burn on the bottom. I’ve done it both ways, and both work well–it just depends on what you want to do.
Tip: If you don’t like marshmallows, you can skip that step and use whipped cream instead…or in addition to! I usually like to have peppermint sticks or crushed candy cane to sprinkle on top.
Hot Chocolate Party Ideas
I love to host a Hot Chocolate party every holiday season, and this is the most important recipe of the event! A crockpot of hot chocolate with all the toppings is the highlight, including peppermint, mini chocolate chips, caramel sauce, sprinkles, whipped cream, and extra marshmallows. Christmas breakfast is another hot chocolate must-have at our house, and then we have it all during the day for our family, and anyone who stops by.
FAQ
No! The good news is that the types of milk or cream are forgiving, and you can switch them around as needed. For example, if you want to use less heavy cream and more milk, you can do that. It won’t taste as rich, but you can certainly adjust to your taste.
Yes, you can. This is an easy recipe to adjust for amounts, and if you need to make or less you can. I’ve often done this for different sizes of crockpots or slow cookers
Good news! If you don’t have a crockpot, don’t worry. You can use this recipe on your stove too!! Place all the ingredients on a large stock pot. Keep on low, stirring often until all the chocolate is melted. Simmer with lid on, stirring occasionally.
Watch the video
More holiday recipes
Check out this darling set of Christmas Activity Advent Cards in my Etsy shop! Perfect for celebrating the season and counting down to Christmas in fun, festive, and simple ways with family and friends.
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The Best Ever Crockpot Hot Chocolate
Equipment
Ingredients
- 6 cups whole milk OR 3 cups whole milk and 3 cups half and half
- 2 cans evaporated milk (2-12 oz. cans)
- 2 cups heavy cream
- 2 teaspoons vanilla
- 3 cups chocolate chips
Instructions
- Mix all the ingredients together in a 6 quart crockpot. Cook on low for 3-4 hours (or until heated through to your liking), stirring often the first hour, to make sure the chocolate incorporates and doesn't burn on the bottom. If you are in a crunch for time, you may need to start on high, to make sure it heats through faster. Stir every so often the first hour. Once it's heated through, turn it down to low. It will also depend on your crockpot–I've made this recipe in several of them, and they all heat just a little bit differently.
- In the 30 minutes before serving, add large and mini marshmallows to the crockpot. They'll get all melty and yummy! Use a ladle to serve hot chocolate into mugs, then top with all of your favorite hot chocolate toppings.
Yum. The only problem is that I don’t have a crock pot :(
You can use this recipe on your stove too!! Place all the ingredients on a large stock pot. Keep on low, stirring often until all the chocolate is melted. Simmer with lid on, stirring occasionally!!
This looks so good! We’re definitely going to make this when the kids come!!!
YAY! That makes me so happy!! You’ll have to let me know what everyone thinks. :)
I made this recipe for christmas and everyone loved it. I can’t wait to try another recipe.
I’m so happy you loved it!! Thanks so much for letting me know.
Thank you so much for sharing! Looking forward to making this on Sunday! We need to half the recipe. Should I cook it for the same amount of time or give it less time?
You’ll need less time…it’s really just until it’s heated through until it gets to be the temperature you want it to be. Then turn it down to warm! ENJOY!!
Looks delish! My son can’t wait to make it with me. What size (oz) can evaporated milk do you use?
I use the 12 oz. can!
Thank you! I made it this morning and it’s delish! I think this will be our day after Thanksgiving go to… sip on hot chocolate, relax, and start decorating for Christmas! ❤️
Yes!! That’s a perfect tradition! So happy you loved it too. xo
This recipe is delicious. I had a lot left over and I refrigerated it and tried reheating but it was very thick. Any suggestions on reheating? Thanks!
Great question! When I’m reheating, I add more half and half or whole milk — no heavy cream, or it will be too thick — to thin it out. If I need a lot more milk, then I will add a few more chocolate chips and heat through, so it doesn’t get too flavored down. So glad you loved it!! xx
Hi. I am planning on taking this in a crockpot to an outdoor party. Is there a way to keep that top layer from forming while it sits in the crockpot.
Thanks
It happens when the hot chocolate starts to cool, or is introduced to cooler air. I try to frequently stir it after it’s heated through, and keep the lid on. Here is an article I found too: https://www.thekitchn.com/food-science-why-skin-forms-on-88664
Hope that helps!
It’s delicious! Can leftovers be refrigerated and reheated? It was so rich that we couldn’t finish it!
Yes, it can! I’ll put it back in the crockpot, on the stovetop, or even in the microwave in individual mugs. I haven’t had it in the fridge for longer than a few days though.
I made this for a work cocoa bar and everyone absolutely loved it! I have tried a couple different recipes that were just too sweet! This one was perfect the only sweetener was from the chocolate chips! Huge success!!
Yay!! I’m so glad everyone loved it! Thank you so much for taking the time to tell me.
Do you use milk chocolate chips or semi sweet chips?
I’ve used both! I usually just grab what I have on hand, but we prefer milk chocolate. But it really is a personal preference.
Hi! I haven’t made this yet, but I’m super interested because I have a potluck on campus coming up- I think it’ll be a hit in the cold and rainy winters we get here. If possible, could you give some advice on whether it’s possible to make this ahead of time and heat it up a little bit before the event (say 30 minutes to an hour?)
Also, whether it’d be okay to leave it out for roughly 2-3 hours beforehand (sealed but unplugged)? Unfortunately I have classes earlier in the day so I can’t make it on-site or leave the crockpot on and unsupervised.
Either way I will definitely be giving this a try at some point! Thanks
Hi, Sarah! You could make this ahead, but you’d need to keep it refrigerated until ready to heat and serve. You don’t want it sitting out longer than a couple of hours for safety reasons. If there is a refrigerator that you could keep it in until an hour before, I think it could work!
Just wanted to point out that when you use the 2x feature to double the ingredients it changes the evaporated milk to 4- 24oz cans when it should be 4- 12 oz cans. I thought that seemed like a lot of evaporated milk! :)
Oh goodness!! Thanks for pointing that out! I’ll have to go in and input it differently so it won’t give those amounts. That IS a lot of evaporated milk, lol!!!
Currently making this. But! In the directions it says to just mix everything together and in the video it shows you pouring melted chocolate. So are you suppose to melt the chocolate first?
I’m so sorry that was confusing, Sully. That was an old video in which I was using chocolate I had already melted (trying to make do with what I had). I made a new video, but somehow that old one was still on there. All updated now. Don’t melt chocolate first–just chocolate chips!
What is the total amount of evaporated milk needed, as well as heavy cream? Is it 12 oz of evaporated milk and one pint of heavy cream TOTAL?
It’s 2 cans of evaporated milk (12 oz. each) + 1 pint of heavy cream, which is 2 cups. So it’s a total of 24 oz. evaporated milk + 2 cups heavy cream (plus the half and half/whole milk).
Sorry for the confusion! It’s tricky adding a recipe into the form I use to make sure it makes sense for the 2x feature. I’ve edited a few times trying to make sure it makes the most sense for both 1x and 2x. Hopefully that helps!!!
I love this recipe uts beautiful 😍
Thank you so much, Shauna!! So happy you love it too.
I can’t wait to make this for my family’s Christmas gathering this year! My whole family loves hot chocolate and I’ve never made it like this for them before, I plan to surprise them! I especially like the idea of the last minute addition of marshmallows so it’s all melty when then arrive, I just know this can’t go wrong. I’ll repost after I try it!
What a FUN surprise!!! I can’t wait to find out how much they loved it! Merry Christmas to you and your family. xx
Absolutely delicious — my kiddos were huge fans for my test batch, and I’m so excited to make it for a family Christmas party!
YAY!! That makes me so happy!!
I am looking to make this for a faculty pot luck, but won’t be able to supervise the crock pot for the first hour as we will be teaching. Can I use some kind of chocolate syrup or high quality hot chocolate powder instead to avoid the need to melt the chocolate chips? No easy stove top access on campus. Thank you!
Hi Maeve! I apologize I wasn’t able to answer this sooner–we were traveling and I didn’t have access to wi-fi. I hope it worked out for you okay! I’ve never used anything other than chocolate chips, so I can’t be sure, but I don’t think it would give you the creaminess of the original recipe. You’ll have to let me know what you decided!!
How many people does this recipe serve? I serving this to 32 people one day and 26 a different day. I will make a second batch each time. Thank you.
Hello! A 6-quart crockpot holds about 24-8 oz. servings, 7 quart would be about 28 servings, and 8 quart, 32 servings. The amounts in this recipe are for a 6 quart, so you’d just need to adjust the recipe to make a little more if you use a larger crockpot. You could also choose smaller cups – 6 ounces – if you needed to stretch out the servings. Hope this helps!!! Let me know if there is anything else I can do to help. xx
Haven’t made it yet, looks delish. I will tonight, what can I substitute if I only have 1 can of evaporated milk?
Hi, Lori! If you only have 1 can, just sub with more half and half if you can–or whole milk.
Thank you. I did add 12 oz. of half and half and everyone loved it. Many thanks. Happy Thanksgiving!
Yay! So happy to hear. Happy Thanksgiving!! xx
Can I use half and half instead of heavy cream??
Yes, you can! It won’t be as rich, but it totally works. You can use any combo of whole milk, half and half, or heavy cream, to your preference.
I did your recipe I did the 6 cups of milk and 6 cups half and half and 4 cups heavy cream I used 3 cups coco powder not the cheap kind, and added 1 1/2 cup sugar heated it up. It thicken up over time. everyone loved it.
I’m so glad!!
This looks great! Could it be done with chocolate whole milk? Thanks
Hi, Mary! I’ve never used whole chocolate milk, but I don’t know why you couldn’t try it. However, it will likely be a lot sweeter, since chocolate milk is so much more than regular milk. You wouldn’t need as many chocolate chips though–maybe it could balance out. If you try it, let me know–I’d love to hear how it went!
This was easy to make and delicious! Thank you! Would post a photo but didn’t know how ❤️
Thanks so much for letting me know Jo Lea!! I’m so happy you loved it too.
Wanted to say that I just made this today for an office party and wow! so so good, i did alter the recipe, i used 4 cups of chocolate chips which ended up being two bags size 10oz, and 2ounces of vanilla, it was very rich when i did it this way!
Yay! So glad you loved the recipe, Ellie! It really is adaptable to preferences, which is another reason to love it!
I plan to make this for Christmas Eve. Is it sweet enough? Some recipes add sugar or sweetened condensed milk. Just curious.
Hi Karen! Yes, it’s definitely sweet enough. The chocolate chips add the sweetness, and they do the trick!
I never leave reviews, but this is actually the best hot chocolate I’ve ever had. Easy and perfectly delicious, with ingredients I usually have on-hand. Bravo!
Wow, that just made my day!!! It makes me so happy you love it as much as we do. Thank you so much for taking the time to let me know!
Some of the best hot chocolate I’ve tried! Made using the 1/2 and half and milk mixture as noted in the recipe. We made for our Christmas gathering and everyone made comments that they “don’t normally like hot chocolate” but loved this! Everyone came back up for seconds. We did a hot chocolate bar with Reese’s (cut up), marshmallows, caramel and peppermints as toppings. Cannot wait to have an event to be able to make this again!!
Lauren, thank you so much for taking the time to share!! The hot chocolate bar sounds perfect (Reese’s are the best!), and I’m so happy that everyone loved it!! xx
Good!
So glad you love it too!! xx