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Crockpot Peppermint Hot Chocolate

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a glass of hot chocolate topped with whipped cream and candy cane bits served with a candy cane
The pure creamy deliciousness and a hint of peppermint flavor make this crockpot peppermint hot chocolate the perfect drink to please a crowd during the holiday season.
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Table of Contents
  1. Crockpot Peppermint Hot Chocolate Ingredients
  2. Substitutions And Additions
  3. How To Make This Crockpot Peppermint Hot Chocolate Recipe
  4. How To Serve
  5. Storing This Recipe For Peppermint Hot Chocolate
  6. Why We Love This Recipe
  7. More Recipes You’ll Love
  8. JUMP TO RECIPE
  9. Even More Easy Recipes

Delicious crockpot peppermint hot chocolate is an indulgent treat to serve at your holiday gathering. Super easy to make, you just throw chocolate chips, crushed candy canes, milk, and vanilla into a slow cooker and you’ll end up with this amazing drink full of wonderful chocolate flavor.

close up overhead shot of a crockpot of Peppermint Hot Chocolate

Crockpot Peppermint Hot Chocolate Ingredients

Crockpot Peppermint Hot Chocolate raw ingredients that are labeled
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This crockpot peppermint hot chocolate offers a harmonious blend of rich chocolate and refreshing peppermint.

The key ingredients are chocolate chips and crushed candy cane bits, creating a velvety, mint-infused cocoa base.

A touch of vanilla extract, milk, whipped cream, and mini candy canes complete the experience.

You’ll need:

  • 2 cups of chocolate chips
  • ½ cup of crushed candy cane bits
  • 1 teaspoon of vanilla extract
  • 8 cups of milk
  • Whipped cream, for garnish
  • Mini candy canes, for garnish

Substitutions And Additions

MILK: We use whole milk for this simple recipe. You can instead use reduced-fat or plant-based milk such as coconut milk or almond milk if you prefer.

You could even make it extra rich and creamy by replacing one or two of the eight cups of milk with heavy cream.

CRUSHED CANDY CANE BITS: You can use store-bought candy cane bits or crush your own peppermint candy canes using a food processor or in a Ziploc bag with a rolling pin. 

PEPPERMINT EXTRACT: For an extra-minty hot chocolate, you could add half a teaspoon of peppermint extract if you wish.

EXTRA TOPPINGS: Mini marshmallows, sprinkles, chocolate shavings, or a dusting of cocoa are always welcome additions to a cup of good hot chocolate.

ALCOHOL: Make this delicious recipe into a spiked adult version by adding a shot of Bailey’s, Kahlua, rum, or peppermint schnapps to your mug. 

CHOCOLATE CHIPS: Semi-sweet, milk chocolate, or even a combination of milk and white chocolate chips would all work in this tasty treat.

How To Make This Crockpot Peppermint Hot Chocolate Recipe

Let your slow cooker do all the work in making this decadent and delicious hot chocolate.

STEP ONE: Place the chocolate chips, crushed candy canes, vanilla extract, and milk into a slow cooker.

chocolate, milk, vanilla, and candy added to the crockpot

STEP TWO: Heat on high for 45 minutes or low for 90 minutes.

OUR RECIPE DEVELOPER SAYS

After the hot chocolate has cooked, if you find it is too sweet, you can add a bit more milk to balance the taste out.

hot chocolate being cooked in a crockpot

STEP THREE: Whisk well. Use a ladle to decant into mugs.

PRO TIP:

Add a pinch of salt once all the chocolate has melted. It helps bring out the flavor and balance the sweetness.

STEP FOUR: Top with whipped cream and a mini candy cane stir stick.

hot chocolate topped with whipped cream and candy cane bits served with a candy cane

How To Serve

This creamy hot cocoa would be the ideal way to warm up on Christmas Eve. Set up a hot chocolate bar so that your guests can add their favorite extras to the top of the hot chocolate.

Include mini marshmallows, chocolate shavings, whipped cream, sprinkles, and maraschino cherries. Pair them with our Grinch cookies!

Of course, don’t limit this tasty recipe to Christmas. It’s the perfect way to keep you warm throughout those cold winter days when you need a warm drink.

For another fun way to enjoy rich hot chocolate this winter season, take a look at our frozen hot chocolate recipe or this homemade hot chocolate on a stick

Storing This Recipe For Peppermint Hot Chocolate

If you do have extra hot chocolate, here are a few tips for storing it.

IN THE CROCKPOT: You can keep hot chocolate on the warm setting in the crockpot for three to four hours so your guests can help themselves during your holiday party.

Give it a good stir every once in a while to make sure it stays nice and creamy.

IN THE FRIDGE: If you need to store crockpot hot chocolate, place it in a sealed container and it will keep in the refrigerator for up to three days.

IN THE FREEZER: We do not recommend freezing this hot chocolate. It is best made fresh.

close up shot of a crockpot of Peppermint Hot Chocolate

Why We Love This Recipe

DECADENT CHOCOLATE: The recipe uses chocolate chips, creating a luxurious and intensely chocolatey flavor that chocolate lovers will adore.

REFRESHING PEPPERMINT: With crushed candy cane bits, it introduces a delightful burst of peppermint freshness, adding a unique and invigorating dimension to traditional hot chocolate.

CREAMY AND COMFORTING: Thanks to lots of milk, this hot chocolate is incredibly creamy and smooth, providing ultimate comfort and warmth on a chilly day.

Warm, sweet, and minty, your party guests are sure to love this homemade crockpot peppermint hot chocolate. While making hot chocolate for a number of people can be time-consuming, making it in a slow cooker takes no effort at all. Plus, it’ll make your home smell great and get you into the holiday spirit!

FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS

Can I store leftovers in the fridge?

This hot cocoa recipe can be stored in the fridge in a sealed container for up to three days.

Can I add alcohol to make this an adult beverage?

Try adding Baileys, Kahlua, Rumchata, or other creamy liqueurs to turn your hot chocolate into a grown-up version.

What are the best chocolate chips to use?

This recipe is pretty flexible in terms of the kind of chocolate chips to use. Semi-sweet, milk, dark chocolate, or a combination would all work in this recipe.

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a glass of hot chocolate topped with whipped cream and candy cane bits served with a candy cane

Crockpot Peppermint Hot Chocolate

5 from 4 votes
The pure creamy deliciousness and a hint of peppermint flavor make this crockpot peppermint hot chocolate the perfect drink to please a crowd during the holiday season.
Prep Time 5 minutes
Cook Time 45 minutes
Total Time 50 minutes
Servings 8

Ingredients
  

  • 2 cups chocolate chips
  • ½ cup candy cane bits, crushed
  • 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
  • 8 cups milk
  • whipped cream, for garnish
  • additional candy canes, for garnish

Instructions
 

  • Place chocolate chips, crushed candy canes, vanilla extract, and milk in a slow cooker.
  • Heat on high for 45 minutes or low for 90 minutes.
  • Whisk well. Use a ladle to decant into mugs.
  • Serve garnished with whipped cream and additional candy canes.

Notes

  • After the hot chocolate has cooked, if you find it is too sweet, you can add a bit more milk to balance the taste out.
  • Add a pinch of salt once all the chocolate has melted. It helps bring out the flavor and balance the sweetness.

Nutrition

Calories: 205kcal | Carbohydrates: 26g | Protein: 8g | Fat: 8g | Saturated Fat: 5g | Cholesterol: 24mg | Sodium: 105mg | Potassium: 322mg | Sugar: 23g | Vitamin A: 395IU | Calcium: 276mg | Iron: 1mg
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Proudly Prepared by the Spaceships Kitchen

This recipe was developed, tested, cooked and photographed by the Spaceships Kitchen. From our dinner table to yours, we hope you think it's out of this world!

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