This easy, creamy and indulgent hot chocolate is made in the slow cooker for the perfect winter warmer drink. An easy way to make hot chocolate for a crowd, this Slow Cooker Hot Chocolate is a must during the festive season, or to be ready when you come in from a walk on a cold day. Only 4 ingredients and 1 minute prep time.
This is the ultimate indulgent hot chocolate, and the best thing is that it is done in the slow cooker, making it super easy too. You will never use a powdered hot chocolate mix again.
Loaded with whipped cream and marshmallows, this is our Christmas Eve tradition that the kids LOVE. But, it doesn't just have to be for Christmas.
Looking for some other hot drinks to enjoy this festive season? Why not try our Oat Milk Hot Chocolate, Chai Tea Latte, Cinnamon Coffee, Slow Cooker Mulled Wine, Christmas Snowman Hot Chocolate or Mulled Apple Juice.
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Why you will love it
- Just 4 ingredients - Just milk, cream and two types of chocolate go in to making this slow cooker hot chocolate.
- Only 1 minute prep time - You just dump everything in to the slow cooker and leave it to cook away.
- Creamy and indulgent hot chocolate - This isn't a healthy recipe at all, but it is SO good.
- Different flavour options to customise it - Either keep this plain or add a flavouring to mix it up a bit.
- A boozy version for adults - We have added an alcoholic version for the grown-ups too.
Ingredients needed
- Milk - We used full fat milk in this slow cooker hot chocolate, as we find that it helps to make it really thick and creamy. You could use skimmed or semi skimmed, and it would lower the calories, but it would also make it thinner.
- Cream - This helps to make the hot chocolate really indulgent. You could leave it out, but it wouldn't be as thick and creamy.
- Chocolate - We used a mixture of milk and dark chocolate. You could just use one, but we find this balance is just perfect. Try to use the best quality chocolate you can, as you really will taste the difference.
A full ingredients list with measurements is in the recipe card below.
Step by step
One: Put all of the ingredients in the slow cooker.
Two: Cook on low for 2 and a half hours. Stir twice during cooking.
Why use a slow cooker?
Hot chocolate is pretty quick and simple to make on the hob, so why make it in the slow cooker? Well, there are a couple of reasons. If we are having a Christmas party, then this is an easy way to make a huge batch of it. Plus, you don't have to stand over pan whilst it cooks.
Cooking it in the slow cooker also means that it can stay warm for a while. This is also good if you are serving it up at a party, as people arrive at different times. We set up a hot chocolate bar on Christmas Eve, with loads of different toppings, and let everyone create their own ultimate hot chocolate.
We like to also put it on before we go out for a walk, so we come home to warming hot chocolate ready to ladle in to a mug. This slow cooker hot chocolate is best when it is stirred twice during cooking, otherwise it does separate a little. However, you can just put it on and leave it, and then stir well before serving.
This exact recipe does work in a pan on the hob too. Just cook on a low heat, stirring often.
Hot chocolate flavours
The great thing about this slow cooker hot chocolate, is that there are so many different ways to flavour it. You never have to have it the same way twice. Here are some of our favourite ingredients to add to it:
- Orange extract
- Mint extract
- Vanilla
- Nutella
- Cinnamon
- Hazelnut syrup
- Rum
- Baileys
- Bourbon
Hot chocolate toppings
What makes this slow cooker hot chocolate really indulgent, is the toppings. You could just serve it as it is and that would lower the calories, but this is meant to be an indulgent treat. Toppings are a must if you are making a serve yourself hot chocolate bar. Here are some of our favourite topping options:
- Whipped cream
- Marshmallows
- Chocolate shavings
- Sprinkles
- Chocolate chips
- Caramel syrup
- Chocolate syrup
- Orange zest
- Peanut butter
- Cinnamon
- Coconut shavings
- Candied ginger
- Your favourite chocolate bars, chopped
- Candy cane stirrers
- Chopped up fudge
FAQs
I'm afraid not. This is a totally indulgent and amazing hot chocolate. Double cream, milk, dark and milk chocolate. Fairly high in fat and calories, so portion control is key. However, it has very few ingredients, compared to those powdered hot chocolates that are full of additives.
Yes, you certainly can. You can swap the whole milk for almond, cashew or oat milk and then use vegan chocolate. You can either leave the cream out or swap it for a vegan version. We usually leave it out if we are making a vegan version, as we find that the vegan alternative to cream doesn't heat very well. A dairy free version tends to be thinner than this hot chocolate.
Yes, you can make an amazing boozy version for adults, which a few different options. We love rum, baileys or bourbon. Just add a splash before serving. Don't cook it with all the other ingredients, as the alcohol will cook off.
Yes, if you have any leftovers, then it can be kept in the fridge until the next day. It is delicious cold, like a milkshake, or you can heat it up on the hob. Don't worry if there are some set bits of chocolate in the mix, as this will happen when it gets put in the fridge. They will melt once heated.
More Christmas drinks
If you’ve tried this slow cooker hot chocolate, let us know how you got on in the comments below.
Tag us in your creations on Instagram @hungryhealthyhappy - Use the hashtag #hungryhealthyhappy too.
Recipe
Slow Cooker Hot Chocolate
Ingredients
- 500 ml (2 cups) Whole milk
- 150 ml (0.66 cups) Double (heavy) cream
- 100 g (0.66 cups) Chocolate - dark; broken into pieces
- 60 g (0.33 cups) Chocolate - milk; broken into pieces
Instructions
- Put all of the ingredients in the slow cooker.
- Cook on low for 2 and a half hours. Stir twice during cooking.
Recipe tips
- For best results, stir twice during cooking. This will prevent everything from separating. However, if that isn't an option, then just give it a good stir before serving.
- If you don't want to make this in the slow cooker, then you can follow this exact recipe on a hob. Cook on a low heat, stirring often.
- To give the hot chocolate some frothiness, then whisk really well before serving.
- Make sure to use whole milk, as it's what helps to make the slow cooker hot chocolate really thick and creamy.
- Use the best quality chocolate you can, as you really will be able to taste the difference.
- Add a pinch of chilli powder to your hot chocolate for a little kick of heat.
- Add even more of a chocolate flavour with a couple of tablespoons of cocoa powder mixed in.
Nutritional Information
The nutritional information provided is approximate and is calculated using online tools. Information can vary depending on various factors, but we have endeavoured to be as accurate as possible.
Jacqueline Debono
What a great way to make hot chocolate when you're expecting a crowd! I love the idea of your Christmas Eve hot chocolate bar!
Pris
I loved your recipe!! And it's so difficult to choose from your list of suggestions for hot chocolate flavors, I wish I could use them all at once!! :-D
Liz
I've never made hot chocolate from scratch before! I'm definitely going to have to try this recipe out! I didn't realize its so few steps!
Chris Collins
I never thought of making hot chocolate in the slow cooker! Will definitely try it - it looks so delicious!
Michelle
I've just bought a slow cooker and have been looking for ideas for it. I love the idea of making hot chocolate in the slow cooker. Can't wait to try this!
Jenn
I love that this recipe is made with whole ingredients and not processed sugar-loaded packaged mix! Delish!
Andrea Metlika
Who knew it could be this easy? This is a perfect recipe and I love that everyone can top theirs to their liking.
Lisalia
The slow cooker makes everything easier in my kitchen. So excited to have this hot cocoa recipe. Thank you.
Jacqueline Meldrum
Sounds wonderful and all you need is a ladle so everyone can help themselves.
Sandhya Ramakrishnan
Making the hot chocolate in the slow cooker is the best ever! The flavors are just in the spot and better than anything I have ever had.