Crock Pot Hot Chocolate
Crock Pot Hot Chocolate is an easy, creamy slow cooker homemade hot chocolate that everyone loves! Rich, chocolate deliciousness in a mug!
AN EASY, CREAMY HOMEMADE HOT CHOCOLATE
This is a super simple recipe that packs a wonderful chocolate flavor and is pure creamy deliciousness. It makes hot chocolate just a bit more special for the occasion and gets everyone into the holiday spirit. Be sure to check out my twists on this recipe for adult-only crowds!
I made this recipe 3 times this holiday season and it was a hit with all who tried it. It will now be a forever tradition. Thank you for sharing!
– Heather
FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS:
Definitely milk. Especially if you are looking for a more indulgent hot chocolate. Water is perfectly fine for hot cocoa but not for real hot chocolate.
Absolutely! You will basically follow the exact same directions. But instead of turning on a slow cooker and gently heating it up. You’ll do that part on the stove. Turn your pot onto medium heat and you will need to whisk often to make sure the chocolate chips aren’t sticking to the bottom of the pot. Do it gently and slowly so the chips don’t burn or seize up.
Hot cocoa is a powder made with cocoa powder, powdered milk and sometimes adiditonal sweetener. It is then mixed with warm water or milk to create the drink. Hot chocolate is made with real chocolate (either chocolate chips or chocolate bars), milk and sugar. It is all warmed together to create the drink.
For peppermint hot chocolate, add in a couple of teaspoons of peppermint extract instead of vanilla extract. For an adult beverage, try adding some Kahlua, Peppermint Schnapps or Rum Chata!
Leftover homemade hot chocolate should be stored in a covered pitcher in the refrigerator for up to 3 days. You can gently reheat it in the microwave using a microwave-safe mug. Heat in 30 second increments and stir until warmed through.
INGREDIENTS NEEDED: (SEE RECIPE CARD BELOW FOR THE FULL RECIPE)
- unsweetened cocoa powder – I just use the Hersheys brand as you can see in my ingredient image below. You could also use Tollhouse or whatever your favorite kind is.
- sweetened condensed milk – it needs to be sweetened condensed milk here. This is the only sweetener we are adding to this so be careful that you are picking up the right can because a lot of times these cans are near the evaporated milk cans and they look VERY similar!
- whole milk – this is a homemade hot chocolate so therefore it is rich and creamy. Whole milk is going to give you the absolute best result here for the best hot chocolate.
- heavy whipping cream – you could use half and half here but for the ultimate creaminess, use the heavy cream.
- vanilla extract
- semi-sweet chocolate chips – we don’t want this overly sweet which is why I went with semi sweet chocolate chips. You could use milk or dark chocolate but keep in mind how that will really change the flavor profile.
- mini marshmallows – these are just for topping. You could use whipped cream as well.
HOW TO MAKE CROCK POT HOT CHOCOLATE:
In a microwave-safe bowl or cup, microwave one cup of milk to scalding (not boiling). This can also be done in a small saucepan on the stove top. Gently whisk in the 1/4 cup cocoa powder into the milk.
In a 4-quart (or larger) slow cooker, combine sweetened condensed milk, whole milk, heavy whipping cream, vanilla extract and semi-sweet chocolate chips. Finally stir in the cocoa milk that you made first.
Cover and cook on low for about 2 hours. Stirring vigorously occasionally as it warms up. Stirring is very important because you want to make sure those chocolate chips are melting evenly and getting incorporated into the rest of the mixture. It’s ready when all the chocolate chips have melted and mixture is warm.
Ladle into mugs and top with some Homemade Marshmallows or whipped cream and a mini candy cane!
CRAVING MORE RECIPES?
Originally published: November 2016
Updated and republished: October 2025
Crock Pot Hot Chocolate
Ingredients
- ¼ cup unsweetened cocoa powder
- 14 ounce can sweetened condensed milk
- 6 cups whole milk (divided use)
- 2 cups heavy whipping cream
- 2 teaspoon pure vanilla extract
- 2 cups semi-sweet chocolate chips
- mini marshmallows (for serving)
Instructions
- In a microwave-safe bowl or cup, microwave one cup whole milk to scalding (not boiling). This can also be done in a small saucepan on the stove top.
- Gently whisk in 1/4 cup unsweetened cocoa powder into the milk.
- In a 4-quart (or larger) slow cooker, combine 14 ounce can sweetened condensed milk, remaining 5 cups whole milk, 2 cups heavy whipping cream, 2 teaspoon pure vanilla extract and 2 cups semi-sweet chocolate chips.
- Finally stir in the cocoa and milk mixture that you made first.
- Cover and cook on low for about 2 hours and whisking often as it begins to warm up. Stirring is very important because you want to make sure those chocolate chips are melting evenly and getting incorporated into the rest of the mixture. You don't want a big clump of melted chocolate on the bottom.
- It's ready when all the chocolate chips have melted and mixture is warm.
- Ladle into mugs and top with mini marshmallows or whipped cream and a mini candy cane!
Video
Notes
- Edit: I updated this recipe from the first time I posted it. I originally mixed the cocoa powder straight in with the all the other ingredients but updated it to mix with warm milk first to make sure it is fully combined before adding to the rest of the ingredients. in the slow cooker.
- For peppermint hot chocolate, add in a couple of teaspoons of peppermint extract instead of vanilla extract.
- For an adult beverage, try adding some Kahlua, Peppermint Schnapps or Rum Chata!
Nutrition
Nutritional Disclaimer
“The Country Cook” is not a dietician or nutritionist, and any nutritional information shared is an estimate. If calorie count and other nutritional values are important to you, we recommend running the ingredients through whichever online nutritional calculator you prefer. Calories and other nutritional values can vary quite a bit depending on which brands were used.
Big, big hit at church yesterday. I had to give out the recipe many times. Way better than plain ole cocoa so it made it a special treat! Thank you! I love your site! Happy Holidays!
made for son’s class christmas party it was a huge hit. next day had to make again for home!
Amazing!
This was a huge hit at our church last night!! I should have made a double batch because everyone drank all of it and wanted the recipe!
I should’ve made two batches! It was loved by all, thanks so much! I didn’t change anything in the recipe.
Hi! Is it okay to double up this recipe in the same slow cooker?
Only if it is large enough. You have to be really careful when doubling that you are whisking super regularly or you can end up with chunks of chocolate rather than it being smooth and melted properly.
Brandie, I have been making this delicious recipe for years for my family. We all love it! I’m getting ready to host a baby shower and we are going to have a hot chocolate bar. There will be about 65 people. I am making this recipe in several crockpots. How long can I keep them warming in the crockpots, so as to serve hot?
I was really hoping to make all the batches the night before and then just warming them in the crockpot. Can the crockpot stay on for an hour or two or will it start changing the consistency or flavor of the hot chocolate? I just want everything to be perfect!
Hi Karen! So happy you like it! So for food safety, it is recommended that you don’t keep it on longer than 4 hours on the warm setting. 2-4 hours is the rule of thumb. It needs to be stirred every so often as well. Now, whether you want to take the chance for longer, that’s up to you but food safety guidelines say 2-4 hours 🙂
I made this recipe 3 times this holiday season and it was a hit with all who tried it. It will now be a forever tradition. Thank you for sharing!
Been making this for YEARS! Everyone loves it!
My only question is how do you reheat it?
You can reheat it back in the slow cooker or slowly on the stovetop
this is a great recipe. I substituted with lily’s 55% cacao stevia chips & keto condensed milk. thanks for sharing
Can I reheat this the following day in a crockpot? I am participating in a progressive dinner, and nightcaps will be at my home. I will not be at home to vigorously stir while the chocolate chips are melting (gotta work & then play). I am hoping I can do all of this the night before and then pour it back into the crockpot and reheat while we are gone.
I’ve never done it. It’s possible it will clump up
Did you try it? Hope it worked out for you!
Love this recipe. Have been making it for years since you first posted it. My kids love it and so do all their neighbourhood friends as well as my friends and their children. It’s a big hit no matter where I take it!
I made this recipe for Christmas and everyone loved it! So easy to put together and the hot chocolate was rich and delicious! Just perfect!
A friend made this for a holiday gift exchange and it was the most delicious hot chocolate I’ve ever tasted.