Crockpot Hot Chocolate Recipe: Easy Slow Cooker Hot Chocolate for a Crowd
This crockpot hot chocolate recipe makes about 10 mugs with almost no effort. Add 6 cups whole milk, 1 can (14 oz) sweetened condensed milk, 1 1/2 cups heavy cream, 2 cups chocolate chips, 1 teaspoon vanilla and a pinch of salt to a 5 to 6 quart slow cooker. Cook on low for about 2 hours, stirring every 30 minutes, until hot and smooth. Then switch it to warm and let guests serve themselves.
What You’ll Need
6 quart slow cooker – The right size for a 10-mug batch
Ladle – For serving straight from the crock
Silicone whisk – Keeps the chocolate smooth while it melts
Semisweet chocolate chips – Melts into the milk for rich flavor
Mug set – Enough mugs for a crowd
Topping jars – For a hot chocolate topping bar
Slow cooker liners – Makes cleanup easy
Crockpot Hot Chocolate Recipe
Ingredients (about 10 one-cup servings)
- 6 cups whole milk
- 1 can (14 oz) sweetened condensed milk
- 1 1/2 cups heavy cream
- 2 cups (12 oz) semisweet chocolate chips
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
- Pinch of salt
Instructions
- Add the milk, sweetened condensed milk, cream, chocolate chips and salt to a 5 to 6 quart slow cooker.
- Stir well, cover and cook on low for about 2 hours.
- Whisk every 30 minutes so the chocolate melts evenly and doesn’t scorch on the bottom.
- When it is hot and fully smooth, whisk in the vanilla.
- Switch the slow cooker to warm and serve with a ladle.
Avoid the high setting. Milk can scorch and separate, and the chocolate can burn on the bottom of the crock.
How Long Can Crockpot Hot Chocolate Stay on Warm?
Keep it on the warm setting for up to about 2 hours after it is ready, stirring every so often. Dairy should stay hot, at 140°F or above, while it sits out. After the party, cool any leftovers quickly and refrigerate them within 2 hours.
| Party size | Slow cooker | Milk | Sweetened condensed milk | Cream | Chocolate chips |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 6 to 8 mugs | 4 quart | 4 cups | 1 can | 1 cup | 1 1/2 cups |
| 10 mugs | 5 to 6 quart | 6 cups | 1 can | 1 1/2 cups | 2 cups |
| 16 to 20 mugs | Two 6 quart cookers | 12 cups | 2 cans | 3 cups | 4 cups |
Crockpot Hot Chocolate Variations
White Chocolate Crockpot Hot Chocolate
Use 2 cups white chocolate chips and skip the salt. Add 1/2 teaspoon peppermint extract for a holiday twist.
Peppermint Crockpot Hot Chocolate
Stir in 1 teaspoon peppermint extract with the vanilla and serve with candy cane stirrers.
Mexican Crockpot Hot Chocolate
Add 2 cinnamon sticks and a pinch of cayenne while it heats. Remove the cinnamon sticks before serving.
Nutella Crockpot Hot Chocolate
Replace 1 cup of the chocolate chips with 3/4 cup chocolate hazelnut spread.
Lighter Version
Use 2 percent milk, skip the cream, and swap the sweetened condensed milk for 1/2 cup sugar. It will be thinner but still chocolatey.
Set Up a Hot Chocolate Bar Around the Crockpot
The slow cooker makes a natural centerpiece for a self-serve hot chocolate bar. Set out mugs on one side and toppings on the other: marshmallows, whipped cream, crushed candy canes, chocolate shavings, caramel sauce and sprinkles. Add a small sign and a ladle rest. Our hot chocolate bar ideas have more setup ideas, and our coffee bar ideas for a party cover adding coffee for the adults.
Make-Ahead and Storage
- Make ahead: Make it on the stove the day before, refrigerate, then reheat in the slow cooker on low for 1 to 2 hours, stirring often.
- Leftovers: Refrigerate in a covered container for up to 3 days.
- Reheat: Warm gently on the stove, whisking. It thickens when cold.
Why Sweetened Condensed Milk Works So Well
Sweetened condensed milk is milk that has been cooked down with sugar until thick. In slow cooker hot chocolate, it does three jobs at once. It sweetens the whole batch without any grainy sugar, it adds body so the drink tastes rich instead of thin, and it helps keep the chocolate smoothly blended as the pot sits on warm. That is why this version tastes like it came from a cafe even though you only stir a few times.
Best Chocolate for Crockpot Hot Chocolate
Semisweet chips give a balanced, crowd-pleasing flavor. Use half milk chocolate chips for a sweeter, kid-friendly batch, or half bittersweet for a richer, grown-up version. Chopped baking bars melt even more smoothly than chips if you have them. Avoid candy coating or almond bark, which can turn waxy when held warm.
Marcus’s Pro Tips
- Use whole milk. Low-fat milk is more likely to separate in a slow cooker.
- Whisk, don’t just stir. It keeps the chocolate from settling.
- Start it 2 to 3 hours before guests arrive so it is ready when they walk in.
- Use a slow cooker liner and soak the crock right after the party.
- Want a small batch instead? Our stovetop hot chocolate recipe makes 2 mugs in 10 minutes.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can you make hot chocolate in a crockpot on high?
It is safer on low. On high, milk can scorch and the chocolate can burn on the bottom.
How long does crockpot hot chocolate take?
About 2 hours on low, stirring every 30 minutes.
Can I use cocoa powder instead of chocolate chips?
Yes. Whisk 3/4 cup cocoa powder and 1/2 cup sugar into the milk instead of the chips. It will be less rich.
Why did my crockpot hot chocolate separate?
Usually it got too hot or used low-fat milk. Keep it on low or warm, whisk often, and use whole milk.
Can I add alcohol?
Guests of legal drinking age can add it to their own mug. Keep the crock itself alcohol-free so it works for everyone.
How much hot chocolate per person?
Plan on about 1 cup per guest, or 1 1/2 cups if it is the main drink of the event.
For a gift-ready version, make a batch of our homemade hot chocolate mix. For coffee lovers at the same party, add a pot of our peppermint mocha recipe.
Marcus Webb writes about home coffee for BrewElevate. He researches and compares brewing gear, beans and recipes so home brewers can make a better cup without overspending. His rule: if he wouldn’t be comfortable buying it himself, it doesn’t make the list.
