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Crockpot hot chocolate ladled into mugs with marshmallows.

Crockpot Hot Chocolate (Creamy Hot Cocoa for a Crowd)

This creamy crockpot hot chocolate is rich, smooth, and easy to keep warm for parties. Set it and let guests ladle up cozy mugs all night.
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Prep Time 10 minutes
Cook Time 2 hours
Total Time 2 hours 10 minutes
Servings: 12 servings
Course: Beverage
Cuisine: American
Calories: 460
Ingredients Method Notes

Ingredients
  

  • 8 cups whole milk
  • 2 cups heavy cream
  • 14 oz sweetened condensed milk
  • 2 cups semisweet chocolate chips or chopped semisweet chocolate
  • 1/4 cup unsweetened cocoa powder Dutch-process or natural
  • 2 tsp pure vanilla extract
  • 1/4 tsp kosher salt
  • 1/2 tsp espresso powder optional, for deeper chocolate flavor
  • 1/4 tsp ground cinnamon optional
Toppings
  • whipped cream
  • mini marshmallows
  • crushed candy canes
  • chocolate shavings

Method
 

  1. Add the whole milk, heavy cream, and sweetened condensed milk to a 6-quart or larger slow cooker. Whisk to combine.
  2. Sprinkle in the cocoa powder and salt, then add the chocolate chips (and espresso powder and cinnamon if using). Whisk well to break up any cocoa clumps.
  3. Cover and cook on Low for 1 hour. After 30 minutes, open and whisk to help the chocolate melt evenly.
  4. After the first hour, whisk again. Continue cooking on Low for another 30 to 60 minutes, whisking every 20 to 30 minutes, until the mixture is smooth and steamy and all chocolate is melted.
  5. Turn the slow cooker to Warm. Stir in the vanilla extract.
  6. Taste and adjust: add a pinch more salt to sharpen the chocolate, or a splash more milk if it’s thicker than you like.
  7. Keep on Warm for serving, whisking occasionally to prevent a skin. If it thickens over time, stir in hot milk to loosen.
  8. Ladle into mugs and top with whipped cream, mini marshmallows, crushed candy canes, or chocolate shavings.

Notes

For extra-smooth cocoa, blend with an immersion blender for 10 to 15 seconds before switching to Warm.
Use good-quality chocolate; 50% to 60% cacao gives a balanced, not-too-bitter flavor.
To scale for a crowd, keep the milk-to-cream ratio and add 15 to 30 minutes to the melting time.