Easy crock pot hot chocolate recipe! This simple slow cooker hot chocolate is made with milk, sugar, chocolate chips, and more!

Hot chocolate is the best way to end a cold winter day. This easy crock pot hot chocolate recipe is a great way to make hot chocolate for a crowd.
This recipe is different than my other slow cooker hot chocolate recipe that uses heavy cream and sweetened condensed milk. This recipe uses just a few simple pantry-staple ingredients to make a big batch of delicious hot cocoa!
Ingredient notes and substitutions

- Milk: Any milk from skim milk to whole milk will work. Whole milk will give you richer, creamier hot chocolate.
- Evaporated milk: Regular or fat-free evaporated milk will work.
- Cocoa powder: I use regular unsweetened cocoa powder.
- Semisweet chocolate chips: Feel free to use bittersweet chocolate chips for hot cocoa that isn’t as sweet, or use milk chocolate chips for sweeter hot chocolate.
- Brown sugar: Brown sugar gives the hot chocolate a note of caramel.
- Vanilla extract: You can use a different flavored extract, like peppermint extract, if you’d like.
- Cornstarch: The cornstarch helps to make the hot chocolate creamier.
How to make easy crock pot hot chocolate

Step 1: Add the milk, evaporated milk, and cocoa powder to the crock pot. Whisk to combine. The cocoa powder won’t fully incorporate until the milk is warm.

Step 2: Mix in the chocolate chips, brown sugar, and vanilla.
Step 3: Cover, and set to low.
Step 4: Let the cocoa heat for 40 minutes, stirring every 20 minutes.

Step 5: After 40 minutes have passed, add in the cornstarch, and mix until fully incorporated.
Step 6: Let the mixture continue heating for about 80 more minutes, stirring every 20 minutes.
Step 7: Switch to keep warm to serve. Serve with your desired toppings.

Tips
- Making hot chocolate in the slow cooker is a great way to make hot cocoa for a crowd. It’s also perfect for hot chocolate bars.
- Keep it low! I don’t recommend heating the milk on high. It can curdle when heated on high.
- Don’t skip the cornstarch! The little bit of cornstarch helps to make the hot chocolate smooth and velvety.

Serving suggestions
Top the hot chocolate with
- whipped cream
- marshmallows
- crushed candy canes
- mini chocolate chips
- chocolate syrup or caramel sauce
- chocolate shavings
- or any other toppings that you like.

Storage
Store any leftover hot chocolate in an airtight container in the refrigerator. The hot chocolate will keep for about 2-3 days when properly stored in the fridge.
More crock pot recipes!
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Easy Crock Pot Hot Chocolate
Equipment
Ingredients
- 4 cups milk
- 12 ounce can evaporated milk
- 2 tablespoons unsweetened cocoa powder
- 1 ¼ cups semisweet chocolate chips
- 1/3 cup brown sugar
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
- ¼ teaspoon cornstarch
Instructions
- Add the milk, evaporated milk, and cocoa powder to the crock pot. Whisk to combine. The cocoa powder won’t fully incorporate until the milk is warm.
- Mix in the chocolate chips, brown sugar, and vanilla.
- Cover, and set to low.
- Let the cocoa heat for 40 minutes, stirring every 20 minutes.
- After 40 minutes have passed, add in the cornstarch, and mix until fully incorporated.
- Let the mixture continue heating for about 80 more minutes, stirring every 20 minutes.
- Switch to keep warm to serve.
- Serve with your desired toppings.
Notes
- This recipe was made using a 5 quart slow cooker. A similar sized crock pot, like a 4 quart, would also work.Â
- Feel free to adjust the sugar to taste.Â
- I don’t recommend heating the milk on high.Â
- Nutrition values are estimates.Â
Nutrition
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