How to Serve Hot Chocolate to a Large Crowd

Rich, creamy slow cooker hot chocolate is the ultimate treat. Perfect for serving a crowd for a holiday, party or just a cold snowy day! This deliciously decadent hot chocolate recipe gets people talking at any party because it is SO good!

A ladle of creamy hot chocolate being lifted from a slow cooker

*This post may contain affiliate links to products we love. If you purchase something after clicking one of our links we make a small fee. As an Amazon Associate I earn from qualifying purchases. See our affiliate policy here.

Why We Love Slow Cooker Hot Chocolate

Great way to serve a crowd– This hot chocolate is a to have ouwonderful recipe at a party, for Christmas morning, or after skiing or sledding! It's a great recipe for special occasions or a cold day.
Super creamy– If you want a recipe that feels rich and like it came from a coffee shop, this hot chocolate recipe delivers!
Easy to make– This recipe only uses a few simple ingredients to make a rich and creamy hot chocolate that is Santa approved, especially for a cold winter day. Just add your favorite hot chocolate toppings or place toppings on a tray for an instant hot chocolate bar!

Want More Hot Chocolate? Try my Whipped Hot Chocolate for an easy special treat that can be made in just a few servings. Or make my Hot Chocolate Bombs that can be made in advance and make great gifts! I also have vegan hot chocolate bomb recipes that are just as delicious, and great for a dairy-free friend whether it's a gift or a snow day.

Ingredients For Slow Cooker Hot Chocolate

Ingredients in bowls with labels from overhead for slow cooker hot chocolate

4 cups heavy cream– Divided, Using half at a time keeps us from accidently sloshing the hot cocoa out of the slow cooker while we are blending the cocoa powder. Heavy whipping cream can also be used.
1/3 cup unsweetened cocoa powder – This is not the same as sweetened hot chocolate mix, this is found in the baking aisle. You could also use cacao powder as it is very similar.
4 cups milk– You can use whatever you have on hand, but the higher the percentage of milk fat, the creamier the hot chocolate will be. Use whole milk for the creamiest hot chocolate.
14 ounces sweetened condensed milk
12 ounces semi-sweet baking bar finely chopped, semi-sweet chocolate chips can also be used but the hot chocolate will be slightly sweeter.
1 tablespoon vanilla extract

How To Make Slow Cooker Hot Chocolate

Add two cups of heavy cream and the unsweetened cocoa to the slow cooker. Using a whisk, mix for several minutes until the powder is fully dissolved in the cream.

Close up blending hot chocolate in a slow cooker with a whisk

Add two more cups of heavy cream, milk, sweetened condensed milk, chopped chocolate, and vanilla. Stir until everything is mixed.

Pooring condensed milk into slow cooker on top of chopped chocolate

Place the slow cooker on low for 2-3 hours. Stir every 20-30 minutes just until the chocolate is melted and fully combined. The chocolate will be super creamy and smooth.

Creamy thick hot chocolate in a slow cooker from overhead

Keep on the warm setting for up to 3 hours for serving and enjoy the best hot chocolate!

Overhead two mugs of hot chocolate with marshmallows next to the slow cooker near holiday garlands

Tips, Swaps And FAQ

Party Planning Tip: Don't have mugs for everyone? Try serving this recipe in mason jars!

Ideas For How To Serve Slow Cooker Hot Chocolate

Slow cooker hot chocolate can be served all by itself. You can also add in some fun toppings for everyone to try to make their own unique hot chocolate, which is especially fun for the holiday season. Adding your favorite hot chocolate topping is the best part!

Flavors In The Hot Chocolate

Add peppermint– Add a little peppermint extract to the mix! Peppermint extract is VERY strong, I recommend start with 1/4 teaspoon and then taste before adding more.
Add cinnamon– Stir in a sprinkle of cinnamon into your hot cocoa glass for another delicious twist. You can also add a few cinnamon sticks to this hot cocoa recipe as it simmers for a more delicious cinnamon flavor. I just pull the cinnamon sticks out before serving.
Mix with candy canes– Offer candy canes ((or peppermint sticks) for each person to stir their hot chocolate with for a super easy and festive peppermint hot chocolate. Or you can also sprinkle candy cane bits on top of the hot chocolate as a garnish.

Toppings On Top Of The Hot Chocolate

Top with marshmallows– Regular marshmallows, miniature marshmallows and even tinier marshmallows are a classic hot chocolate topping, but you can also buy really fun marshmallows that are in different shapes or flavors.
Swirl some whipped cream– A swirl of whipped cream on top of each creamy hot chocolate is perfection!
Add some ice cream– Add a scoop of ice cream to the top of your hot chocolate for an even more decadent dessert that is so fun! We call this a hot chocolate iceberg, and it is wicked fun on cold winter days, especially after sledding!
Try some caramel or chocolate syrup– Adding a drizzle of caramel or chocolate syrup to your glass or over the top of the hot chocolate can take your glass from delicious treat to woah!
Sprinkle cookie crumbs– Cookie crumbs like oreo are really delicious sprinkled on top as a garnish.

Hot chocolate in a mug close up full of marshmallows

Can I Use Chocolate Chips?

Semi-sweet chocolate chips or dark chocolate chips can be used in place of the baker's chocolate in this recipe. The overall hot chocolate will be slightly sweeter using chocolate chips instead of the baking chocolate bar.

I don't recommend using milk chocolate chips. They tend to be really sweet and will make your hot chocolate almost too sweet.

Can I Use White Chocolate?

You could try to swap white chocolate in for the chocolate chips to make a white hot chocolate. You may need a few more white chocolate chips because you would be leaving out both the cocoa powder and chocolate to make a white chocolate version. I haven't tried this version, let me know if you try it!

How Can I Make This Hot Chocolate Less Decadent?

This hot chocolate recipe makes a super creamy and decadent hot chocolate. If you are looking for something that's a little thinner in consistency rather than the creamiest results, you can swap two cups of milk for two of the cups of cream.

Using milk that is 2 percent or lower can also make this hot chocolate a little less decadent.

Can I Make This On The Stove top?

Yes, you absolutely can make this hot chocolate on the stove top. This can sometimes also make it a little easier to transfer the hot chocolate to a different location while still making sure everything blends well and is smooth.

Follow the instructions for combining the ingredients but place in a large pan on the stove instead.
Bring the entire pot of hot chocolate to a low simmer. (Do not boil, keep it at medium heat or even medium-low heat.)
Simmer for 5-10 minutes stirring frequently until the chocolate has fully melted into the hot chocolate.
Serve and enjoy!

Can I Still Serve From The Slowcooker If I Make It On The Stove?

Absolutely you can move the hot chocolate to the slow cooker once it has been cooked on the stovetop.

If your hot chocolate was made on the stovetop and is hot

Set your slow cooker to low to warm up the slow cooker pot. Once warm, then add the hot chocolate to the pot and give it a good stir before covering. This decreases the amount of time you'll spend waiting for everything to warm up. With this method, you can usually slide the slow cooker to the warm setting after 30 minutes or so.

If your hot chocolate was made on the stovetop but is now cold

This gets a little trickier. Our gut tells us to crank up the slow cooker to high, but if you do that for too long then the cream in this recipe will begin to separate.

The quickest way to do this is going to be to heat the hot chocolate separately and then add it to the slow cooker. Otherwise, it can take a full 2-3 hours for the entire pot of hot chocolate to be hot and not cool or just warm. This is especially important to consider if you are taking this hot chocolate with you somewhere to share.

Can I Make This Hot Chocolate Dairy Free?

You can make this Hot Chocolate dairy-free with a few substitutions. I recommend using cashew milk or coconut milk in place of the milk and coconut creme in place of the cream for a super creamy hot chocolate. Other alternatives such as almond milk or soy milk can be used in place of cashew or coconut milk but the results won't be as creamy.

What size Slow Cooker Can I Use?

Slow cookers are best when they are at least three-quarters full. I recommend using a six-quart or eight-quart slow cooker for this recipe. I used an eight-quart slow cooker for this recipe.

Keep in mind some of the newer slow cookers do also run warmer than others. If you start to notice that the hot chocolate is starting to boil, turn down the temperature immediately so the cream doesn't separate.

How Long Does This Hot Chocolate Last?

Hot chocolate can last for about three days, so any leftovers should be consumed in that time.

Occasionally it may be able to stretch to four days depending on how fresh the dairy is. This hot chocolate should smell sour when spoiled.

The milk and the cream is the biggest concern in this recipe, and the slow cooker can expose the dairy to more air than it comes in contact in the container.

I recommend storing the hot chocolate instead in an airtight container to help this hot cocoa stay fresher for a longer time.

Can I Make This Hot Chocolate Ahead Of Time?

You can easily make this hot chocolate the night before. You can mix all the ingredients into the slow cooker insert and store it covered in the refrigerator overnight.

The hot chocolate will stay fresher for more days usually if you mix it into an airtight container and then pour it into the slow cooker the next day.

Other Recipes You'll Love

Peppermint Hot Chocolate Thumbprint Cookies– These cookies are soft chocolate cookies filled with a peppermint ganache this is oh so gooey.

Whipped Strawberry Milk– Similar to a fluffy whipped hot chocolate but strawberry, and uber creamy!

Chewy Chocolate Chip Cookie Sticks – Perfect for dunking, these are my go-to cookie to serve with hot chocolate. (Plus super easy!)

Mug of hot chocolate with marshmallows up close being held by a hand

Slow Cooker Hot Chocolate

Rich, creamy slow cooker hot chocolate is the ultimate treat. Perfect for serving a crowd for a holiday, party or just a cold snowy day!

PREP TIME 10 mins

COOK TIME 2 hrs

Total Time 2 hrs 10 mins

Course Desserts, Drinks

Cuisine American

Servings 12 Servings

Calories 580 kcal

Cook Mode Prevent your screen from going dark while you cook

4 cups heavy cream divided
1/3 cup unsweetened cocoa powder
4 cups milk whole milk or two percent is recommended
14 ounces sweetened condensed milk
12 ounces semi-sweet baking bar finely chopped, or you can use semi-sweet chocolate chips
1 tablespoon vanilla

Add two cups of heavy cream and the unsweetened cocoa to the slow cooker. Using a whisk, mix for several minutes until the powder is fully combined.
Add two more cups of heavy cream, milk, sweetened condensed milk, chopped chocolate, and vanilla. Stir until everything is mixed.
Place the slow cooker on low for 2-3 hours. Stir every 20-30 minutes just until the chocolate is melted and fully combined.
Keep on the warm setting for up to 3 hours for serving and enjoy!

Chocolate chips can be used in place of baker's chocolate. I recommend semi-sweet chocolate chips for the best results.
This recipe can not be cooked on high as it heats the cream too hot and will start to seperate.
You can cook this creamy hot chocolate on the stove. Follow the instructions for combining the ingredients. Bring the entire pot of hot chocolate to a low simmer. (Do not boil, keep the heat around medium.) Simmer for 5-10 minutes stirring frequently until the chocolate has fully melted into the hot chocolate. Serve and enjoy.
This hot chocolate is really thick and creamy. If the hot chocolate gets too thick while in the slow cooker, stir in more milk to your desired thickness. I start with adding between a 1/4 and 1/2 of a cup at a time so I don't accidentally make it too thin.

Keyword chocolate, hot chocolate

Tap to review this recipe and comment now

How to Serve Hot Chocolate to a Large Crowd

Source: https://onmykidsplate.com/slow-cooker-hot-chocolate-great-for-a-crowd/