Description
A rich, velvety hot chocolate made in a slow cooker with real chocolate chunks, milk, and cream. This hands-off recipe is perfect for winter mornings, allowing you to wake up to a house filled with the scent of warm, decadent cocoa.
Ingredients
- 1 gallon (3.8 liters) Whole Milk
- 2 cups (480ml) Heavy Cream
- 2 teaspoons Pure Vanilla Extract
- 12 ounces (340g) Dark Chocolate Chunks (semi-sweet bars, chopped)
- ½ cup (45g) Unsweetened Dutch-process Cocoa Powder
- ½ to 1 cup (100-200g) Sugar (adjust to taste)
- Pinch of Salt
- Marshmallows (Optional, for serving)
- Whipped Cream (Optional, for serving)
Instructions
- Chop chocolate bars into rough 1-inch chunks and set aside.
- In a large bowl or jug, whisk together the cocoa powder, sugar, and salt to prevent clumps.
- Pour the whole milk and heavy cream into a 6-quart slow cooker.
- Add the vanilla extract and the dry ingredient mixture to the slow cooker.
- Whisk thoroughly until the cocoa powder is completely dissolved and the liquid is uniform.
- Add the chopped chocolate chunks to the slow cooker.
- Cover and cook on HIGH for 2-3 hours (or LOW for 4-5 hours) until the chocolate is melted and the mixture is hot. Do not exceed 3 hours on HIGH to prevent scorching.
- Stir well to combine. Adjust sweetness if needed.
- Serve hot in mugs, topped with whipped cream or marshmallows if desired.
Notes
Use chocolate bars instead of chips for a smoother texture, as chips contain stabilizers that can cause graininess. Whisk the dry ingredients into the milk before cooking to ensure no lumps remain. For a thicker consistency, add 1 tablespoon of cornstarch mixed with 1 tablespoon of cold milk at the end. Leftovers can be stored in the refrigerator for up to 3 days; reheat gently on the stove or in the microwave. This recipe does not freeze well due to dairy separation.
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 2.5 hours
- Category: Beverage
- Cuisine: American
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 cup
- Calories: 320
- Sugar: 28
- Sodium: 120
- Fat: 18
- Saturated Fat: 11
- Carbohydrates: 35
- Fiber: 2
- Protein: 8
Keywords: slow cooker hot chocolate, creamy hot chocolate, winter drink, easy breakfast recipe, dairy-free option, gluten-free drink, cozy winter recipes