Name: Slow Cooker Hot Chocolate
Prep time: 5 min
Cook time: 120 min
Total time: 125 min
Ingredients: 6 cups whole milk (1.4 L); 2 cups heavy cream (480 ml); 1/2 cup unsweetened cocoa powder (50 g); 1/2 cup granulated sugar (100 g); 1 cup semisweet chocolate chips (170 g); 2 tsp vanilla extract; 1/4 tsp fine salt; Mini marshmallows or whipped cream (to serve (optional))

There is nothing quite like coming in from the cold to a pot of rich, steaming hot chocolate. This slow cooker hot chocolate is the easiest way I know to serve a crowd: everything goes into the crockpot, and two hours later you have the creamiest, most chocolatey cocoa — no standing over the stove, no scorched milk, and no packet mix in sight.

Because the slow cooker holds it at a gentle, steady heat, this slow cooker hot chocolate stays silky and ready to pour for hours. Set out mugs, marshmallows and whipped cream, and let everyone help themselves while you actually enjoy the party.

Slow cooker hot chocolate in a mug with a spoon, rich and creamy

Why This Recipe Works

Here is why this method works so well, every single time:

Real chocolate, two ways. Cocoa powder gives deep flavor while melted chocolate chips make the finished drink rich and velvety — never thin or watery.
A cocoa paste first. Whisking the cocoa with a little of the milk at the start dissolves it completely, so there are no bitter lumps.
Low and slow heat. The slow cooker’s gentle heat melts everything together without scorching the milk, which is the number-one problem with stovetop hot chocolate.
It holds beautifully. Kept on WARM, slow cooker hot chocolate stays at perfect sipping temperature for up to 2 hours — ideal for holiday parties and movie nights.

Ingredients

You need just a handful of simple ingredients for this slow cooker hot chocolate. US and metric measurements are both listed, so you can use whatever you have.

6 cups whole milk (1.4 L)
2 cups heavy cream (480 ml)
1/2 cup unsweetened cocoa powder (50 g)
1/2 cup granulated sugar (100 g)
1 cup semisweet chocolate chips (170 g)
2 teaspoons vanilla extract
1/4 teaspoon fine salt
Mini marshmallows or whipped cream, to serve (optional)

Whole milk and cream give the richest result, but you can swap half the cream for more milk if you prefer it a little lighter.

How to Make Slow Cooker Hot Chocolate

Add the cocoa powder, sugar and salt to the slow cooker. Pour in about 1 cup of the milk and whisk until you have a smooth, lump-free paste.
Whisk in the rest of the milk and the heavy cream until everything is combined.
Stir in the chocolate chips. Cover with the lid and cook on LOW for 2 hours, whisking well halfway through, until the chocolate is fully melted and the hot chocolate is steaming and slightly thickened.
Whisk again until completely smooth and glossy, then stir in the vanilla extract.
Taste and adjust: add a little more sugar if you like it sweeter, or a splash more milk if it is too rich.
Ladle into mugs and top with mini marshmallows or whipped cream. Switch the slow cooker to WARM to keep it ready for refills for up to 2 more hours, stirring now and then.

Tips for the Best Slow Cooker Hot Chocolate

Use good cocoa. If you are not sure which cocoa to buy, King Arthur Baking explains the difference between natural and Dutch-process cocoa.
Do not cook on HIGH. High heat can scorch the milk and split the chocolate. Low and slow is the whole point of slow cooker hot chocolate.
Whisk halfway through. One good whisk at the one-hour mark keeps the chocolate chips from settling and ensures a smooth finish.
Prevent a skin. If a skin forms on top while it holds, just whisk it back in — it melts right back into the drink.
Set up a toppings bar. Marshmallows, whipped cream, crushed candy canes, chocolate shavings and a pinch of flaky sea salt let guests customize their mugs.

Variations and Storage

Variations: Stir in 1/2 teaspoon of ground cinnamon and a pinch of cayenne for a Mexican-style hot chocolate. For a peppermint version, swap the vanilla for 1/2 teaspoon of peppermint extract and garnish with crushed candy canes. For an adults-only twist, a splash of Irish cream in each mug is hard to beat. To make it dairy-free, use full-fat oat milk and coconut cream in place of the milk and cream, and check that your chocolate chips are dairy-free.

Storage: Cool leftovers, refrigerate in a sealed container for up to 4 days, and reheat gently on the stove or back in the slow cooker on LOW, whisking well. It will thicken in the fridge — a splash of milk while reheating brings it back to pouring consistency. I do not recommend freezing it, as the dairy can separate.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I make slow cooker hot chocolate ahead of time?

Yes. Make it up to a day ahead, refrigerate, and reheat in the slow cooker on LOW for about an hour, whisking occasionally, until steaming. It tastes just as good the next day.

Can I cook it on HIGH to save time?

I do not recommend it. Milk scorches easily and chocolate can turn grainy at high temperatures. If you are short on time, make it on the stovetop instead: about 15 minutes over low heat with constant whisking.

How many servings does this make?

This recipe makes about 10 mugs, depending on mug size. It halves easily for a small family, or doubles for a big party if your slow cooker is 6 quarts or larger — just keep the cook time the same and whisk well.

Why is my hot chocolate grainy?

Graininess usually means the cocoa did not dissolve fully, or the mixture got too hot. Whisking the cocoa into a paste with a little milk at the start prevents lumps, and cooking on LOW keeps the chocolate smooth.

Can I leave it on WARM all evening?

Yes — after cooking, slow cooker hot chocolate holds well on WARM for up to 2 hours, a little longer if you stir it now and then and keep the lid on. If it thickens too much, whisk in a splash of warm milk.

However you serve it — after sledding, during a Christmas movie marathon, or alongside a tray of Christmas Crack Toffee and my Best Soft Christmas Cookies — a pot of slow cooker hot chocolate makes any cold day feel special. The full recipe card is below. Enjoy!