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Home » Recipes » Slow Cooker

Crock Pot Hot Chocolate

By: Kathryn Doherty | Last Updated: May 14, 2025 | Published: Dec 5, 2022
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Crock pot hot chocolate is unbelievable creamy, rich and delicious and perfect for parties and guests. And it’s just 5 ingredients and 5 minutes to prep!

Hot chocolate served in white mugs and topped with mini marshmallows, whipped cream and mini chocolate chips


 

My kids adore hot cocoa. 

It’s one of their favorite after-school snacks on a cold day. 

I’m always like, don’t you want to eat some actual food? And they shake their heads and pull out a mug and beg me to make some of my easy homemade hot chocolate.

It takes me all of 3 minutes to make, and it’s on the healthier side, so I don’t mind. 

But with the holidays coming up, I wanted to share with you our very amped up version with this super creamy, super rich crock pot hot chocolate.

Drinking this makes me think of the line from the Polar Express book, “We drank hot cocoa as thick and rich as melted chocolate bars.”

That’s what this drink is.

Overhead shot of mugs of hot chocolate topped with mini marshmallows, whipped cream and mini chocolate chips

This hot cocoa tastes like you’re drinking melted chocolate bars.

It’s unbelievably delicious and honestly the best hot chocolate I’ve ever had.

And bonus, it couldn’t be easier to make!

We’re talking just 5 ingredients and 5 minutes to prep - you just throw everything in the slow cooker and stir it. Gotta love that kind of easy at the holidays.

Then it cooks on low for a couple of hours and you’ve got the smell of chocolate wafting throughout your house.

This crockpot hot chocolate is especially perfect for parties because you can just leave it on warm and everyone can get a mug as needed.

You’ll be the hostess with the mostess for sure!

OK, let’s get cooking.

Creamy, rich crock pot hot chocolate in the crock pot before being served
A ladle scooping hot chocolate from a crock pot insert

Now, I’ve got some notes, tips and substitutions coming up on how to make hot chocolate in the crock pot. Just tryin’ to be helpful.

If you want to jump on down to the recipe, simply scroll right on through the rest of the text. The recipe card is near the bottom of the page, above the comments section.

Ingredient notes for crock pot hot chocolate:

  • Milk: You can use skim milk, 1% or 2% or whole milk. The richer the milk, the richer the hot chocolate. (Though honestly, I’ve used skim before and it was still super duper rich.)
  • Heavy cream: You need 1 ½ cups of heavy cream or heavy whipping cream, as it’s labeled by some brands.
  • Sweetened condensed milk: You need 1 can for this recipe. Regular or fat free are both fine to use. Please note this is NOT the same as evaporated milk.
  • Chocolate chips: I use a bag of regular semi-sweet chocolate chips. You could also try substituting dark chocolate chips if you would like.
Hot cocoa served in white mugs with marshmallows and mini chocolate chips scattered at the base
Crock pot hot chocolate in white mugs with mini marshmallows on top

Also, this makes about 10 servings. However, you can absolutely double the recipe if needed for a party. You could probably even triple it in a 6- or 8-quart slow cooker.

Cause trust me, this is going to be a huge hit and all the kids and adults are gonna want a mug!

One quick note: This will be crazy hot when it’s first ready. You’ll want your guests to be extra careful and let it cool slightly so they don’t burn their mouths.

Alright, let’s serve it up.

Toppings for hot chocolate:

  • Mini marshmallows
  • Whipped cream
  • Crushed graham crackers
  • Crumbled cookies
  • Candy canes or peppermint sticks or spoons
  • Mini chocolate chips
  • Sprinkles

You could even set up a little toppings bar if you’re serving this at a party so everyone can dress up their mug just like they like.

A hand picking up a coffee mug full of hot cocoa topped with mini marshmallows, whipped cream and mini chocolate chips

Oh, and check out my post from last week on 3 easy cute Christmas treats for kids if you want to make some adorable marshmallow snowmen. The kiddos love them!

Last thing, if you have any leftovers of this drink, you can store it, once cooled, in a covered container in the refrigerator for up to 3-4 days.

Rewarm in a pot on the stove or in individual mugs in the microwave.

Whether for the holidays or just the winter season in general, I hope you give this crock pot hot chocolate a try.

Cheers and enjoy!

XO,

Kathryn

Two white coffee mugs with slow cooker hot chocolate topped with mini marshmallows
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5 from 1 vote

Crock Pot Hot Chocolate

Crock pot hot chocolate is unbelievable creamy, rich and delicious and perfect for parties and guests. And it’s just 5 ingredients and 5 minutes to prep!
Prep Time5 minutes mins
Cook Time2 hours hrs
Total Time2 hours hrs 5 minutes mins
Yield: 10 servings

Ingredients

  • 6 cups milk (see notes)
  • 1.5 cups heavy whipping cream
  • 1 (14 oz) can sweetened condensed milk
  • 1 teaspoon pure vanilla extract
  • 2 cups semi-sweet chocolate chips

Instructions

  • Combine all of the ingredients in a large crock pot and stir well. 
  • Cook on low for 2 hours, stirring once or twice to help the chocolate chips get melted and evenly mixed in.
  • Serve warm (make sure it’s not scalding hot) and enjoy!

Notes

Milk: You can use skim milk, 1% or 2% or whole milk. The richer the milk, the richer the hot chocolate. (Though honestly, I’ve used skim before and it was still super duper rich.)
Heavy cream: You need 1 ½ cups of heavy cream or heavy whipping cream, as it’s also labeled by some brands.
Sweetened condensed milk: You need 1 can for this recipe. Regular or fat free are both fine to use. Please note this is NOT the same as evaporated milk.
Chocolate chips: I use a bag of regular semi-sweet chocolate chips. You could also try substituting dark chocolate chips if you would like.
Servings: This makes about 10 servings, depending on how much everyone takes. However, you can absolutely double the recipe if needed for a party. You could probably even triple it in a 6- or 8-quart slow cooker, but might need to add more time. Be sure everything is warmed through and the chocolate chips are melted and stirred in.
Topping ideas: Mini marshmallows, whipped cream, crushed graham crackers, crumbled cookies, candy canes or peppermint sticks or spoons, mini chocolate chips, sprinkles, etc. You can even set up a toppings bar and let everyone choose their favorites and garnish their mugs.

Video

Nutrition

Serving: 1serving | Calories: 305kcal | Carbohydrates: 32g | Protein: 7g | Fat: 21g | Saturated Fat: 14g | Polyunsaturated Fat: 7g | Cholesterol: 53mg | Sodium: 87mg | Fiber: 2g | Sugar: 22g
Tried this recipe?Leave a comment below or follow me on Instagram @familyfoodonthetable and tag me in your photo!
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Meet Kathryn

Hi there! I’m Kathryn Doherty, a cookbook author, mom of two, and devoted food and home cooking nut. I’ve got lots of easy recipes to help you get delicious food on the table for your family!

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