There is nothing better than a mug of creamy, rich hot chocolate on a cold Winter’s Day! This is the best slow cooker hot chocolate recipe you’ll ever try – it’s pure indulgence.
Perfect for a gathering, a weekend treat for your family or frankly whenever you fancy a decadent hot chocolate you can make in advance!
There are times when only chocolate will do. This recipe for creamy slow cooker hot chocolate is the answer to all your chocolate dreams.
Itās the perfect treat to curl up with on the sofa on a freezing cold day. A good movie, snuggly blanket and twinkly fairy lights while you sip on your hot chocolate are essential for that feel good factor.
ingredient list
You just need five ingredients to make this slow cooker hot chocolate. You will need:
- Milk. Whole milk gives the best results, but you can use semi skimmed. I would definitely not recommend using skimmed milk – it’s far too watery.
- Double (heavy) cream
- Cocoa powder
- vanilla extract adds a beautiful flavour.
- milk chocolate. You can use either a bar or chocolate chips. The better quality the chocolate, the more rich and delicious your hot chocolate will be. If you like a really dark hot chocolate, feel free to use dark chocolate instead.
how to make it
step one – Preheat your slow cooker. Using a small whisk, mix the cocoa powder with 50ml of milk to make a smooth, lump free paste.
Step two – Place the milk cream, vanilla extract, chocolate chips and the cocoa paste into the slow cooker. Stir well to mix.
Step three – Pop the lid on and cook on HIGH for one hour or LOW for roughly two hours or until the hot chocolate is creamy, thick and delicious.
You need to open the lid and stir the hot chocolate every 40 minutes or so to make sure the chocolate isn’t sticking at the bottom.
serving suggestions
I recommend copious amounts of whipped cream……and I’ll never turn my nose up at squirty cream from a can, by the way. Marshmallows and grated chocolate are also a must have, but festive sprinkles are also fun.
make it boozy
If you want a boozy hot chocolate (for adults only, of course!) you could add Baileys, Amaretto, Kahula, brandy, whisky……you get the picture! Add a generous slug when you add all the other ingredients. If it’s not strong enough, you could always add more when serving!
chocolate orange hot chocolate
Add 1/2 teaspoon orange extract or a whole Terry’s chocolate orange (or any other orange flavoured chocolate).
salted caramel hot chocolate
Add 100g of salted caramel sauce and drizzle the whipped cream with salted caramel…..heavenly!
peppermint hot chocolate
Add 1/2 teaspoon of peppermint extract and top the whipped cream with crushed candy canes….or after eights! After all, it is Christmas!
thick italian style hot chocolate
For a really thick hot chocolate that you almost need to eat with a spoon, mix one tablespoon of cornflour to the cocoa powder and milk, making sure it’s smooth and lump free.
storing leftovers
In the unlikely event of leftovers, they can be stored in the fridge and reheated in a saucepan over a low heat the next day.
How long does slow cooker hot chocolate stay hot?
When the hot chocolate is ready, it should stay hot for about two hours. I will depend on your slow cooker. My model has a handy keep warm setting.
more festive drinks to try this winter
- slow cooker mulled wine
- peppermint candy cane hot chocolate mix
- Christmas spiced white hot chocolate
did you make this recipe?
I really hope you loved it! Let me know by leaving a comment below and please rate the recipe by clicking on the stars in the recipe card.
If you share a picture of your hot chocolate on Facebook or Instagram, don’t forget to tag me – I love seeing what you’ve been making!
Slow Cooker Hot Chocolate
Once you've tried this slow cooker hot chocolate recipe, you'll be making it all Winter long. It's thick, creamy and so indulgent. Use the best quality ingredients you can find for the best flavour.
Ingredients
- 25g good quality cocoa powder
- 50ml milk (to mix with the cocoa powder)
- 1 Litre milk (not skimmed)
- 300ml double (heavy) cream
- 2 teaspoons vanilla extract
- 225g milk chocolate chips or chunks
- Whipped cream, grated chocolate and marshmallows for serving
Instructions
- Preheat your slow cooker. Using a small whisk, mix the 50ml milk with the cocoa powder until smooth and lump free.
- Pour the milk, cream, vanilla extract and chocolate chips into the slow cooker bowl along with the cocoa powder paste. Give the mixture a good whisk, then fit the lid on the slow cooker and cook on HIGH for one hour or LOW for two hours. Stir the mixture a couple of times during the cooking process to make sure the chocolate isn't sticking to the bottom of the bowl.
- When you have a creamy, fairly thick hot chocolate it's ready to serve. Pour into heatproof mugs and top with whipped cream, marshmallows, grated chocolate or whatever takes your fancy. Now sit down, relax and savour every sip!
Notes
If you want a boozy hot chocolate, add a generous slug of Baileys, brandy, Kahula, Kirsch, Amaretto the list goes on!
Make a chocolate orange hot chocolate by adding 1/2 teaspoon orange extract or a Terry's chocolate orange!
Make a peppermint hot chocolate - add 1/2 teaspoon peppermint extract and top with whipped cream and crushed candy canes - or after Eight chocolates!
Why not try a salted caramel hot chocolate? Add 100g salted caramel sauce to the ingredients and drizzle the whipped cream with extra salted caramel sauce.
Any leftover? Store in a jug or tupperware box and reheat in a saucepan over a low heat.
Fancy a really thick, Italian style hot chocolate that you almost need to eat with a spoon? Add 1 tablespoon of cornflour to the cocoa powder and milk, making sure the mixture is very smoth and lump free.
Nutrition Information:
Yield: 6 Serving Size: 1Amount Per Serving: Calories: 325Total Fat: 16gSaturated Fat: 10gTrans Fat: 0gUnsaturated Fat: 5gCholesterol: 24mgSodium: 117mgCarbohydrates: 35gFiber: 2gSugar: 30gProtein: 10g
Calories and nutritional information are provided by a third party application and should be viewed as indicative figures only.