Make a big batch of slow cooker hot chocolate for your next party or holiday get-together! This recipe serves 12 and uses real dark and milk chocolate, whole milk, and cream for a drink that's thick, creamy, and downright decadent. Use the Warm setting and let everyone ladle their own mug all afternoon.
Set out marshmallows, whipped cream, sprinkles, and crushed candy canes for an easy hot chocolate bar. This crock pot hot chocolate is perfect for Christmas morning, game day, or a chilly family movie night!
Jump to:
- 🩵 About This Recipe
- What readers are saying...
- 🧂 Gather Your Ingredients
- 🔪 Let's Make Slow Cooker Hot Chocolate!
- 🎉 Making It for a Party
- 💡 Expert Tips and Tricks
- ❔ FAQs
- 📝 Substitutions and Variations
- 🥡 Storage and Reheating
- 🍴 What To Serve With This Dish
- 😋 More Beverage Recipes You'll Love
- 📋 Recipe Card
- 💬 Reviews and Comments
🩵 About This Recipe
Fall is my favorite season by far! I love the fresh air, the big scarves, and all the baking. But most of all I love sinking down into my sofa with a big cup of a hot beverage in my hands.
Through the years I've made plenty of fall appropriate beverages, like this spiced hot orange juice with cinnamon, or my hot lemon and ginger drink for sore throats, but nothing beats a creamy hot chocolate as far as comfort is concerned.
Now, as a big fan of my slow cooker, it was simply a matter of time before I decided to throw some chocolate and cream in there and see what happened. And I'm happy to report that this slow cooker hot chocolate is a raging success.
Let me set the scene: it's Saturday morning. You're spending time with your kids, working away at your computer, reading the news, or doing whatever you normally do in the morning. As the hours go by, the smell of chocolate spreads through your house. Your trusty crock pot keeps the creamy hot chocolate warm for the remainder of the day, allowing everyone to grab a cup or two whenever they feel like it.
This recipe is perfect for making a big batch of hot chocolate, which is excellent if you're like me and want to keep drinking it through the whole day, and it's become an essential part of our Christmas Day routine.
Using the slow cooker is also a great way to serve a crowd of people! Instead of having to ladle individual mugs of cocoa over the stove, you can set the slow cooker to warm and create a hot cocoa bar so Christmas party guests can make their own beverages all night long.
What readers are saying...
Omg this hot chocolate is so decadent and delicious!! Perfect for these cooler months coming up!
- Anjali
🧂 Gather Your Ingredients
- Dark chocolate - A dark, slightly bitter chocolate adds tons of flavor to the hot chocolate.
- Milk chocolate - The milk chocolate adds a milder flavor and slightly sweetens up the drink.
- Cream - Thick, hearty, delicious.
- Whole milk - I like to use whole milk as it makes an extra thick and creamy hot chocolate.
- Vanilla extract - Gives the hot chocolate a mild flavor of sweet vanilla. An optional but welcome ingredient.
🔪 Let's Make Slow Cooker Hot Chocolate!
(Or click here to jump right to the recipe card with measurements!)
Slow Cook
Roughly chop or break up the chocolate. Add all the ingredients to a slow cooker, and cook on high for 2-4 hours, or on low for 6-8 hours.
Stir
Stir once or twice while the hot chocolate cooks to ensure that the chocolate breaks up and blends in completely. Serve up the beverage and top with your favorite toppings!
🎉 Making It for a Party
Once the hot chocolate is ready, situate your slow cooker at the end of a counter or somewhere easily accessible. Keep it on the warm setting to make sure the hot cocoa doesn't get cold. Gather a ladle, your toppings, and some mugs.
This recipe should serve 12 people and will fit perfectly in a 6-quart slow cooker.
💡 Expert Tips and Tricks
- Want to upgrade your hot chocolate? Stir in some of this delicious Starbucks brown sugar syrup!
- Be sure to chop the chocolate small so it melts easily.
- Because chocolate is the star of this drink, be sure to use a high-quality chocolate that you would enjoy eating on its own.
- If you love pumpkin, you'll want to check out this recipe for pumpkin hot chocolate. It's decadent and creamy and perfect for the holidays!
- Or for another hot beverage option, make this amazing s'mores latte, with all the classic s'mores flavors but no campfire needed!
- Hot chocolate can be so much fun to make, and I love adding different toppings! Marshmallows and whipped cream are obvious classics, but you can even add sprinkles, chocolate chips, crushed or crumbled gingerbread, or candy canes!
- Top your hot chocolate with caramel sauce, chocolate sauce (there's no such thing as too much chocolate), hazelnut syrup, or truffles. For adult versions, you can also add liqueurs like Baileys or Kahlua.
- We love to make a "make your own hot chocolate station" with a large slow cooker filled to the brim with hot chocolate, and any toppings you could possibly imagine.
❔ FAQs
Yes, you can make it using only milk. The result will be a lighter hot chocolate. This is a good option if you don't like your hot chocolate to be super thick or if you want to make it a little lighter.
Yep. Using only milk chocolate will make the drink mild and sweet, and using only dark chocolate will give it a slightly bitter chocolate flavor.
After it has finished cooking, you can keep it on the warm setting for several hours. You may want to give it a stir every now and then to keep everything incorporated. Don't leave the cocoa out at room temperature for more than 2 hours.
Using whole milk with cream will result in the richest, creamiest hot chocolate. If you want something lighter, regular milk works.
Typically hot cocoa is made from cocoa powder, whereas hot chocolate uses melted chocolate (like this recipe).
📝 Substitutions and Variations
- Add liqueurs like Kahlua, Baileys, Tia Maria, Creme de Menthe, or Grand Marnier for adult versions of the drink.
- Add some peppermint extract, extra vanilla extract, or orange extract to add flavor to the hot chocolate.
- For a nice autumn-spiced version of this drink, add some cinnamon and nutmeg. A cinnamon stick is also a fun garnish.
- You can make this using only dark chocolate, or only milk chocolate if you prefer those flavors, instead of a combination of the two.
Kristin's Kitchen Tip
To prevent the chocolate from scorching, chop it evenly into fairly small pieces so it melts and doesn't sit in lumps at the bottom of the slow cooker. Use a whisk to stir instead of a spoon for more even melting.
🥡 Storage and Reheating
Allow leftover hot cocoa to cool and transfer to some kind of airtight container in the fridge for 3 to 4 days. Some settling and separation is natural - you may need to give it a good stir before reheating.
Reheat individual servings in the microwave or pour into a pot over medium-low heat and stir gently until heated through. You can add some more milk while reheating if the hot chocolate seems too thick.
Keep It Handy
Don't have time for this slow cooker hot chocolate recipe right now? Click on or tap the heart icon on the BOTTOM RIGHT of the screen to save it for later!
🍴 What To Serve With This Dish
You can enjoy hot chocolate on its own, with a sweet treat, or with your breakfast. Embrace the season and serve it with Pumpkin Spice Overnight Oatmeal or Peppermint Marshmallow Rice Cake Treats (double marshmallow joy!), or treat yourself to some Eggless Banana Bread.
.. or what about some Easy Chocolate Raspberry Fudge? To be honest, there's never a wrong time to serve hot chocolate, especially if you're accompanying it with even MORE chocolate!
😋 More Beverage Recipes You'll Love
- 3 Ingredient Raspberry Spritz - Fizzy and refreshing, this fruity drink is perfect for a spring or summer evening.
- Spiked Butterscotch Hot Chocolate - Add a kick of liquor to this rich and creamy hot cocoa!
- Simple Raspberry Gimlet - This sweet and fruity adult drink is a refreshing libation that's ideal for just about any special occasion.
- Mango and Pineapple Smoothie - Amazing for breakfast, this tropical smoothie is packed with sweet fruity flavor.
get your copy now!
Need help with dinner?
- 24 quick, delicious recipes
- 1 month of meal plans
- pre-filled grocery lists
- and more!
Slow Cooker Hot Chocolate for a Crowd
⭐ Did you make this recipe? Awesome! I would love to hear from you. Please give it a star rating and review below! 👇
📋 Recipe Card
Slow Cooker Hot Chocolate for a Crowd
Equipment
- Slow cooker
Ingredients
- 3 cup heavy cream
- 7 ½ cup whole milk
- 12 ounces dark chocolate
- 12 ounces milk chocolate
- 3 teaspoons vanilla extract
Instructions
- Roughly chop or break up the chocolate.12 ounces dark chocolate, 12 ounces milk chocolate
- Add all the ingredients to a slow cooker, and cook on high for 2-4 hours, or on low for 6-8 hours.3 cup heavy cream, 7 ½ cup whole milk, 3 teaspoons vanilla extract
- Stir once or twice while the hot chocolate cooks to ensure that the chocolate breaks up and blends in completely.
- Serve up the beverage, and top with your favorite toppings such as whipped cream, marshmallows, syrups, sprinkles and more!
Notes
Prep Tips:
- Use good-quality chocolate that you enjoy eating on its own. Since chocolate is the star of this recipe, the flavor you choose makes a big difference.
- Chop the chocolate into smaller pieces before adding it to the slow cooker. Smaller pieces melt more easily and help the drink become smooth and creamy.
- Keep an eye on the mixture toward the end of cooking. Slow cookers vary, so check that the chocolate is completely melted and the drink is heated through before serving.
- If you're serving a crowd, keep the hot chocolate warm in the slow cooker so everyone can help themselves.
Variations:
- Adjust the chocolate combination to suit your taste. Use more dark chocolate for a richer, less sweet drink or more milk chocolate for a sweeter, creamier flavor.
- Add a teaspoon of ground cinnamon for a cozy spiced version.
- Stir in a little peppermint extract for a festive winter drink. Start with a small amount because peppermint can be strong.
- Add a pinch of cayenne pepper for a Mexican-inspired hot chocolate.
- For a mocha twist, stir in a small amount of instant espresso powder.
- For an adult treat, stir a splash of Baileys Irish Cream into each mug just before serving. This adds a creamy, boozy twist that's perfect for chilly evenings or holiday gatherings
Serving Suggestions:
- Top each mug with whipped cream or marshmallows for a classic hot chocolate treat.
- Set out a topping bar with chocolate syrup, caramel sauce, sprinkles, and crushed peppermint candies so everyone can customize their mug.
- Serve alongside cookies, brownies, or biscotti for a cozy dessert or afternoon snack.
- Add a cinnamon stick or a sprinkle of cocoa powder on top for a simple finishing touch.
Storage:
- Let leftover hot chocolate cool, then transfer it to an airtight container and refrigerate for up to 3-4 days.
- The chocolate may settle or the mixture may separate slightly while chilling, so stir well before reheating.
- Reheat individual servings in the microwave or warm a larger amount gently in a saucepan over low heat, stirring until smooth and heated through.
- If the hot chocolate seems too thick after refrigeration, stir in a little milk while reheating to reach your preferred consistency.
Video
Nutrition
Nutritional information is an estimate. The nutritional values for your final dish may vary based on measuring differences and products used.
Update Notes: This post was originally published in September 2020, and was republished with tips, step by step photos, and a recipe change in October 2026.
Thanks so much for reading! I also invite you to follow me on FACEBOOK, PINTEREST, or INSTAGRAM to keep up with what's going on in my kitchen.
And you might want to check out my Dizzy Busy and Hungry store on Amazon for a whole bunch of great kitchen products I love!
Happy cooking!
Abi says
This is just what my tummy needed tonight. Thanks for the recipe!
Kristin says
You are welcome. 🙂 Glad you liked it!
Priya Lakshminarayan says
Thank you for this recipe! Looks drool-worthy!
Kristin says
Sure thing! Enjoy!
Cathleen says
Okay, but you are KILLING it with all of those toppings!!
Also, I love the idea of adding liqueur to this. Will definitely try this 🙂
Kristin says
Haha! I agree, Tonje really went to town with the toppings. You can really have fun with this recipe!
Anjali says
Omg this hot chocolate is so decadent and delicious!! Perfect for these cooler months coming up!
Kristin says
Thanks Anjali! And this is great for the holidays, too, especially when you have guests over!
Liz says
I love to make things from scratch! Love this recipe and that you use dark chocolate!
Kristin says
Thanks Liz! I agree, Tonje's idea to use the dark chocolate is brilliant! 🙂