Slow Cooker Peppermint Hot Chocolate
Slow Cooker Peppermint Hot Chocolate is the easy way to prepare rich, creamy hot chocolate. Top with whipped cream or marshmallows and crushed candy cane!
This will be my last post before Christmas so I can relax and enjoy the holiday with my family. I knew I wanted to leave you a recipe that was super festive and always welcome. I mean, what’s winter without a great cup of hot chocolate?
This Slow Cooker Peppermint Hot Chocolate is what winter is all about!
My kids are crazy about hot chocolate. I started testing slow cooker hot chocolate recipes a few weeks ago because I decided to set up a hot chocolate bar for Christmas Eve. It will be complete with homemade marshmallows, whipped cream, and plenty of peppermint crunch.
I’m not sure if anybody else will get any with my kids around….we’ll just have to see how it goes. 🙂
We have a tradition to drink hot chocolate while decorating the tree, so we’ll be making this recipe to keep this tradition alive every year.
This hot chocolate couldn’t be easier. Just pop your chocolate chips in the slow cooker and add your milk and sweetener, and let it cook for a few hours over low heat.
Other than whisking it every now and then to distribute the melted chocolate throughout, this stuff is low maintenance.
Recipe Tips/Substitutions
Use your favorite type of milk in this recipe. If you like a really hot chocolate, half and half or whole milk would be great options. If you’re trying to cut down on fat, use low fat or skim.
I used Guittard semi-sweet baking wafers in this recipe and they melted beautifully. You can definitely chop a bar of chocolate or even use chocolate chips. Just bear in the mind that the better the quality of chocolate, the better your hot chocolate will be. And dark chocolate is a great option as well!
My advice is to start with 3 tablespoons of sugar and go from there. You can always add more — just whisk it in until dissolved.
This recipe is easily scaled to serve a crowd!
This Slow Cooker Peppermint Hot Chocolate is guaranteed to be a huge hit, and is perfect for parties and holiday gatherings.
I hope you all have a very Merry Christmas, and I’ll be back next week with a delicious appetizer recipe for New Year’s Eve!
In the mood for more chocolate and peppermint? Try these:
Homemade Marshmallows with Chocolate and Peppermint
Peppermint Mocha Brownies with Cream Cheese Frosting
Slow Cooker Peppermint Hot Chocolate
Ingredients
- 4 cups milk
- 3 tablespoons granulated sugar*
- 4 ounces chopped semisweet chocolate or baking wafers
- 2 tablespoons unsweetened cocoa powder dark or regular
- 1/2 teaspoon peppermint extract optional
- Optional toppings: whipped cream and peppermint crunch or marshmallows
Equipment
Instructions
- Place all ingredients in a slow cooker and whisk well to combine.
- Cook on low heat for about 2-3 hours, whisking the mixture from time to time to incorporate the melted chocolate.
- Serve warm with whipped cream or marshmallows and crushed candy canes!
Notes
- Nutrition information does not include the optional toppings.
- *If you like your hot chocolate a little sweeter, add up to 1-2 tablespoons more granulated sugar.
- For more peppermint flavor, add up to 1/2 teaspoon more peppermint extract, or omit altogether if you don’t prefer peppermint.
- Use your favorite type of milk in this recipe. For richer hot chocolate, use half and half or whole milk. If you’re trying to cut down on fat, use low fat or skim milk.
- I used Guittard semi-sweet baking wafers in this recipe and they melted beautifully. You can definitely chop a bar of chocolate or even use chocolate chips. Just bear in the mind that the better the quality of chocolate, the better your hot chocolate will be. And dark chocolate is a great option as well!
- This recipe is easily scaled to serve a crowd!
Nutrition
Nutrition is estimated using a food database and is only intended to be used as a guideline for informational purposes.
20 Comments on “Slow Cooker Peppermint Hot Chocolate”
This hot chocolate sounds so good, Marcie! I crave hot chocolate all winter long, and peppermint is my favorite kind! I’ve never made it in the slow cooker before, so I definitely need to change that. What a wonderful recipe!
I made it in a slow cooker once last year for a school Christmas party and it was so easy, so I knew I had to get it on the blog this year. Thanks, Gayle, I hope you have a wonderful Christmas!
Dear Marcie, I just made hot cocoa from scratch over the weekend for the first time believe it or not. What a difference! It has become our favorite holiday treat since. I love the touch of peppermint and that you made this in a slow cooker. So easy and perfect to make for guests. Wishing you and yours a beautiful and blessed Christmas my dear friend. xoxo, Catherine
Homemade hot chocolate really is so much better! Thank you, Catherine, and I hope you and your family have a wonderful Christmas! 🙂
This hot chocolate looks amazing, and I agree with you, dark chocolate and peppermint is the best combination! Have a great Christmas!
Thanks, Stacey, and enjoy your Christmas! 🙂
This is Christmas perfection! It would be so great in a coffee cup to go out and look at all the lights on houses.
Yes! We need to do that. 🙂 Thanks, Laura!
Oh yes, absolutely nothing better than a warm hot chocolate. This is so perfect for the rainy days in the Bay.
Have a wonderful Holiday my friend!! Enjoy with family and the Merriest Christmas to you and your lovely family.
Hugs.
xx
Yes — perfect for the wonderful rainy days we’re having now! Thank you, Ash, and I hope you have a blessed holiday with your family!
Is there anything you CAN’T make in a slow cooker?! This looks delicious and I’m close to convinced I need a slowcooker!
I don’t think there is anything slow cookers can’t do, and I hope you get one soon, Medha!
Dark hot chocolate?? WHY have I never tried this before? I’m a total dark chocolate fan and I’m definitely up for peppermint joining the party! Gotta try this one!
And I’ve never tried white hot chocolate…with chai..which is a party I need to join! haha Thanks, Sarah, and Merry Christmas!
A hot chocolate bar is such a lovely Christmas Eve idea!! This peppermint hot chocolate sounds incredibly delicious 🙂
Thank you, Rachel — I know it will be a big hit with the kids. Hope you have a Merry Christmas! 🙂
Love hot chocolate and this looks wonderful Marcie! Happy Holidays!
Dark Chocolate & peppermint is amazing together! love this Marcie! Merry Christmas & Happy Holidays! 🙂
Peppermint and chocolate is the best combo! I’d love this on a cold winter day!
It truly is! A mug of this on a cold day is like a warm hug. 🙂