It’s the most wonderful time of the year, and a mug of rich, creamy hot chocolate makes the season feel even more magical. This crockpot recipe delivers deep chocolate flavor and a velvety texture that’s perfect for cozy nights and holiday gatherings.
Christmas Hot Chocolate Ingredients
Christmas hot chocolate is an indulgent treat like no other. Slow cooking the ingredients creates an extra-rich, creamy texture with deep chocolate flavor that feels completely comforting with every sip.
As the aroma of warm cocoa fills the room, this cozy drink brings that classic holiday feeling and warms you from the inside out.
To make this decadent drink, you’ll need:
- 3 ½ cups heavy cream, divided (1 cup to whisk with the cocoa powder, 2 ½ cups to add with the remaining ingredients)
- ¼ cup unsweetened dutch-processed cocoa powder (King Arthur brand Double-Dark cocoa used)
- 4 cups whole milk
- 14-ounce can sweetened condensed milk
- 2 teaspoons vanilla extract
- 2 cups semi-sweet chocolate chips (Ghirardelli brand used)
- Mini marshmallows (optional garnish)
Key Ingredient Highlights
This crockpot hot chocolate gets its rich, velvety texture from a combination of heavy cream, whole milk, and sweetened condensed milk. The blend creates an ultra-creamy base that’s thicker and more luxurious than anything you’ll get from a packet.
Using unsweetened dutch-processed cocoa powder adds deep chocolate flavor that dissolves smoothly into the warm cream. It has a mellow, less bitter taste thanks to the alkalizing process, making it ideal for slow cooker recipes.
For even more richness, this recipe uses semi-sweet chocolate chips, which melt slowly in the crockpot and give the hot chocolate a glossy, silky finish.
How to Make an Adults-Only Version
This recipe is naturally non-alcoholic, but you can easily spike it with a splash of Baileys, Kahlua, RumChata, or even peppermint schnapps for a festive adults-only drink.
Ingredient Substitutions
INSTEAD OF SEMI-SWEET CHOCOLATE CHIPS: You can use milk chocolate chips for a sweeter drink or dark chocolate chips for a deeper, more intense cocoa flavor.
INSTEAD OF WHOLE MILK: 2% or oat milk can be used, but the hot chocolate will be slightly less creamy.
INSTEAD OF DUTCH-PROCESSED COCOA: Natural unsweetened cocoa powder works in a pinch, though it may taste slightly more acidic and won’t dissolve as easily.
PRO TIP:
For the smoothest texture, whisk the cocoa powder into warmed cream before adding it to the crockpot. This prevents clumps and helps the chocolate melt evenly during cooking.
Fun Variations
- Alcohol Version: For a grown-up twist, stir in a shot of Baileys, Kahlua, RumChata, or peppermint schnapps before serving.
- Dairy-Free Option: Use almond milk, oat milk, or coconut milk.
- Extra Festive: Top it with crushed candy canes for a touch of holiday magic.
- Take It Next Level: Add a pinch of salt to enhance the chocolate flavor.
Recipe Alternatives
This hot chocolate is non-alcoholic, but if you’re craving something boozy, you might enjoy:
- Drunken Rudolf is a festive cocktail that combines vanilla ice cream, Bailey’s Irish Cream liqueur, and Fireball Cinnamon Whisky, all blended into hot cocoa. Garnished with whipped cream, a maraschino cherry, and fresh rosemary twigs, it even looks like everyone’s favorite reindeer.
- Spiked Hot Chocolate features a rich blend of dark and white chocolate chips melted into hot milk, enhanced with walnut liqueur for a nutty depth. Topped with maple-infused whipped cream, this drink provides a decadent and comforting experience, perfect for chilly evenings.
How to Make This Christmas Hot Chocolate Recipe
STEP ONE: In a microwave-safe bowl, add 1 cup of heavy cream. Heat for 1 minute on high, then whisk in the unsweetened cocoa powder until fully dissolved into the cream and the mixture is smooth.
STEP TWO: To the insert of a 4-quart crockpot, add the cocoa powder mixture, remaining 2 ½ cups heavy cream, whole milk, sweetened condensed milk, and vanilla extract. Whisk until all the ingredients are fully combined.
STEP THREE: Add the semi-sweet chocolate chips and stir to incorporate. Cover with the lid and set the crockpot to LOW.
STEP FOUR: Heat the hot chocolate for 2-3 hours or until the chocolate chips have fully melted and the mixture is warmed through. Whisk every 20-30 minutes. This helps prevent the mixture from burning and ensures the chocolate chips melt evenly.
STEP FIVE: Once the hot chocolate is fully heated and smooth, whisk well, switch the crockpot to WARM (up to 2 hours), and serve. Ladle into mugs and garnish with mini marshmallows if desired.
How To Serve
Once you top your hot chocolate with whipped cream, you’ll want to enjoy it with a treat on the side. Our candy cane cupcakes are a great choice while you are sipping.
Elevate the Experience
Instead of a spoon, use a mini candy cane for stirring. As it melts, it infuses your drink with a gentle peppermint twist.
Serve with Gingerbread Men Cookies or Shortbread Cookies to dip into the hot chocolate for a satisfying crunch.
Hosting a holiday gathering? Set up a hot chocolate bar! Offer different toppings like marshmallows, chocolate shavings, whipped cream, and festive sprinkles. Let your guests customize their mugs to make this cozy drink even more fun and memorable.
Add a plate of our Christmas pinwheels and Christmas sugar cookies to add to the festive atmosphere.
MORE HOT CHOCOLATE RECIPES
Storage
IN THE FRIDGE/FREEZER: This recipe needs to be consumed right away, and none of the parts can be prepared ahead of time. We recommend making this drink on demand.
There’s nothing like curling up on the couch with a hot mug of Christmas hot chocolate on a cold winter evening. This Christmas, why not try something new and make your hot chocolate extra special?
Frequently Asked Questions
This easy hot chocolate recipe would be yummy with non-dairy options such as soy milk, almond milk, or coconut milk.
You can! The recipe is written without alcohol, but adding a splash of Kahlua or RumChata will give it a warm, spiked flavor perfect for adults.
More Hot Chocolate Recipes
- Crockpot Peppermint Hot Chocolate
- Baileys Hot Chocolate
- Peanut Butter Frozen Hot Chocolate
- Mint Hot Chocolate
Crockpot Hot Chocolate Recipe
Ingredients
- 3 ½ cups heavy cream (divided by 1 cup to whisk with the cocoa powder, 2 ½ cups to add with the remaining ingredients)
- ¼ cup unsweetened dutch-processed cocoa powder, King Arthur brand Double-Dark cocoa used
- 4 cups whole milk
- 14 ounces sweetened condensed milk
- 2 teaspoons vanilla extract
- 2 cups semi-sweet chocolate chips, Ghirardelli brand used
- Mini marshmallows, optional garnish
Instructions
- In a microwave-safe bowl, add 1 cup of heavy cream. Heat for 1 minute on high, then whisk in the unsweetened cocoa powder until fully dissolved into the cream and the mixture is smooth.
- To the insert of a 4-quart crockpot, add the cocoa powder mixture, remaining
- 2 ½ cups heavy cream, whole milk, sweetened condensed milk, and vanilla extract. Whisk until all the ingredients are fully combined.
- Add the semi-sweet chocolate chips and stir to incorporate. Cover with the lid and set the crockpot to LOW.
- Heat the hot chocolate for 2-3 hours or until the chocolate chips have fully melted and the mixture is warmed through. Whisk every 20-30 minutes. This helps prevent the mixture from burning and ensures the chocolate chips melt evenly.
- Once the hot chocolate is fully heated and smooth, whisk well, switch the crockpot to WARM (up to 2 hours), and serve. Ladle into mugs and garnish with mini marshmallows if desired.
Notes
- Be sure to use high quality unsweetened dutch-processed cocoa powder and semi-sweet chocolate chips for the best melt and flavor of this hot chocolate.
- Unsweetened dutch-processed cocoa powder dissolves more easily into the heavy cream, leaving a smoother texture. It also has a more mellow, less bitter taste due to the alkalizing process that reduces acidity.
- Whole milk will yield the creamiest and thickest consistency to the final crockpot hot chocolate when ready to serve. 2% or skim milk can be substituted; however, the hot chocolate will not be as rich and creamy in texture for serving.
- Whisk the hot chocolate well before serving individual portions for the smoothest texture.
Nutrition
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