Crock Pot Hot Chocolate is an easy, creamy slow cooker homemade hot chocolate that everyone loves! Rich, chocolate deliciousness in a mug!AN EASY, CREAMY HOMEMADE HOT CHOCOLATEThis is a super simple recipe that packs a wonderful chocolate flavor and is pure creamy deliciousness. It makes hot chocolate just a bit more special for the occasion and gets everyone into the holiday spirit. Be sure to check out my twists on this recipe for adult-only crowds!I made this recipe 3 times this holiday season and it was a hit with all who tried it. It will now be a forever tradition. Thank you for sharing! HeatherFREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS:Is hot chocolate better with milk or water? Definitely milk. Especially if you are looking for a more indulgent hot chocolate. Water is perfectly fine for hot cocoa but not for real hot chocolate. What is the difference between hot chocolate and hot cocoa? Hot cocoa is a powder made with cocoa powder, powdered milk and sometimes adiditonal sweetener. It is then mixed with warm water or milk to create the drink. Hot chocolate is made with real chocolate (either chocolate chips or chocolate bars), milk and sugar. It is all warmed together to create the drink. When is National Hot Chocolate Day? National Hot Chocolate Day is on January 31st! Can hot chocolate powder go bad? Instant hot chocolate mixes usually contain powdered milk so they do actually expire. Be sure to check the date on your powdered mixes to ensure they arent past their shelf date. What are some other hot chocolate variations? For peppermint hot chocolate, add in a couple of teaspoons of peppermint extract instead of vanilla extract. For an adult beverage, try adding some Kahlua, Peppermint Schnapps or Rum Chata! How do you store leftover hot chocolate? Leftover homemade hot chocolate should be stored in a covered pitcher in the refrigerator for up to 3 days. You can gently reheat it in the microwave using a microwave-safe mug. Heat in 30 second increments and stir until warmed through. INGREDIENTS NEEDED: (SEE RECIPE CARD BELOW FOR THE FULL RECIPE)unsweetened cocoa powder I just use the Hersheys brand as you can see in my ingredient image below. You could also use Tollhouse or whatever your favorite kind is. sweetened condensed milk it needs to be sweetened condensed milk here. This is the only sweetener we are adding to this so be careful that you are picking up the right can because a lot of times these cans are near the evaporated milk cans and they look VERY similar!whole milk this is a homemade hot chocolate so therefore it is rich and creamy. Whole milk is going to give you the absolute best result here for the best hot chocolate. heavy whipping cream you could use half and half here but for the ultimate creaminess, use the heavy cream.vanilla extractsemi-sweet chocolate chips we dont want this overly sweet which is why I went with semi sweet chocolate chips. You could use milk or dark chocolate but keep in mind how that will really change the flavor profile. mini marshmallows these are just for topping. You could use whipped cream as well.HOW TO MAKE SLOW COOKER HOT CHOCOLATE:In a microwave-safe bowl or cup, microwave one cup of milk to scalding (not boiling). This can also be done in a small saucepan on the stove top. Gently whisk in the 1/4 cup cocoa powder into the milk.In a 4-quart (or larger) slow cooker, combine sweetened condensed milk, whole milk, heavy whipping cream, vanilla extract and semi-sweet chocolate chips. Finally stir in the cocoa milk that you made first.Cover and cook on low for about 2 hours. Stirring vigorously occasionally as it warms up. Stirring is very important because you want to make sure those chocolate chips are melting evenly and getting incorporated into the rest of the mixture.Its ready when all the chocolate chips have melted and mixture is warm.Ladle into mugs and top with some Homemade Marshmallows or whipped cream and a mini candy cane!CRAVING MORE RECIPES?Salted Caramel Hot Chocolate Hot Chocolate Cocoa BombsHot Cocoa Poke CakeHot Chocolate Bread PuddingCrock Pot Pumpkin Hot ChocolateInstant Pot Homemade Egg NogOriginally published: November 2016Updated and republished: October 2025 PrintCrock Pot Hot ChocolateCrock Pot Hot Chocolate is an easy, creamy slow cooker homemade hot chocolate that everyone loves! Rich, chocolate deliciousness in a mug!Course BeveragesCuisine AmericanPrep Time 5 minutes minutesCook Time 2 hours hoursTotal Time 2 hours hours 5 minutes minutesServings 12Calories 497kcalAuthor Brandie SkibinskiIngredients cup unsweetened cocoa powder14 ounce can sweetened condensed milk6 cups whole milk (divided use)2 cups heavy whipping cream2 teaspoon pure vanilla extract2 cups semi-sweet chocolate chipsmini marshmallows (for serving)InstructionsIn a microwave-safe bowl or cup, microwave one cup whole milk to scalding (not boiling). This can also be done in a small saucepan on the stove top.Gently whisk in 1/4 cup unsweetened cocoa powder into the milk. In a 4-quart (or larger) slow cooker, combine 14 ounce can sweetened condensed milk, remaining 5 cups whole milk, 2 cups heavy whipping cream, 2 teaspoon pure vanilla extract and 2 cups semi-sweet chocolate chips. Finally stir in the cocoa and milk mixture that you made first. Cover and cook on low for about 2 hours and whisking often as it begins to warm up. Stirring is very important because you want to make sure those chocolate chips are melting evenly and getting incorporated into the rest of the mixture. You don't want a big clump of melted chocolate on the bottom. It's ready when all the chocolate chips have melted and mixture is warm. Ladle into mugs and top with mini marshmallows or whipped cream and a mini candy cane! VideoNotesEdit: I updated this recipe from the first time I posted it. I originally mixed the cocoa powder straight in with the all the other ingredients but updated it to mix with warm milk first to make sure it is fully combined before adding to the rest of the ingredients. in the slow cooker.For peppermint hot chocolate, add in a couple of teaspoons of peppermint extract instead of vanilla extract.For an adult beverage, try adding some Kahlua, Peppermint Schnapps or Rum Chata!NutritionCalories: 497kcal | Carbohydrates: 42g | Protein: 9g | Fat: 33g | Sodium: 113mg | Fiber: 3g | Sugar: 35g