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Cozy Crockpot Peppermint Hot Chocolate: Easy Homemade Recipe

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This easy crockpot peppermint hot chocolate is the ultimate hands-off comfort drink. Made with real chocolate, milk, cream, and peppermint, it’s rich, creamy, and perfect for holiday gatherings or cozy nights in.

Ingredients

Scale
  • 6 cups whole milk (1.4 liters)
  • 1 cup heavy cream (240 ml)
  • 2 cups semi-sweet chocolate chips (340 grams)
  • 1/4 cup unsweetened cocoa powder (30 grams)
  • 1 can sweetened condensed milk (14 ounces / 396 grams)
  • 1 tablespoon vanilla extract (15 ml)
  • 1 teaspoon peppermint extract (5 ml)
  • 1/2 cup crushed peppermint candies (60 grams), plus more for garnish
  • 1/4 teaspoon salt

Instructions

  1. Pour the 6 cups of whole milk and 1 cup of heavy cream into your slow cooker. Turn it on to the HIGH setting. Let it warm up for about 10 minutes while you prepare the other ingredients. You don’t want it boiling, just warm to the touch.
  2. In a small bowl, whisk together the 1/4 cup of unsweetened cocoa powder with about 1/2 cup of the warm milk mixture from the crockpot. Whisk it until it forms a smooth, lump-free paste. Pour this paste back into the crockpot and whisk it all together.
  3. Add the 2 cups of semi-sweet chocolate chips and the entire can of sweetened condensed milk to the slow cooker. Stir everything together with your whisk.
  4. Add the 1 tablespoon of vanilla extract, 1 teaspoon of peppermint extract, and the pinch of salt. Give it a good stir to combine everything.
  5. Cover the crockpot with the lid and let it cook on LOW for 2-3 hours or on HIGH for 1-1.5 hours. Stir it once or twice during cooking if you happen to walk by, but it’s not strictly necessary.
  6. About 15 minutes before you’re ready to serve, give the hot chocolate a final, vigorous whisk to ensure everything is perfectly smooth and emulsified.
  7. Stir in the 1/2 cup of crushed peppermint candies. They’ll start to melt and dissolve, adding a lovely texture and an extra layer of minty goodness. Reserve a few tablespoons for garnishing.
  8. Ladle the hot chocolate into your favorite mugs. Top with a dollop of whipped cream (highly recommended!) and a sprinkle of the reserved crushed peppermint candies. Serve immediately.

Notes

Don’t let the hot chocolate boil. If it starts to bubble vigorously around the edges, turn the slow cooker down to the WARM setting. Boiling can cause the dairy to separate and become grainy. For a dairy-free version, use full-fat oat milk or canned coconut milk and a dairy-free heavy cream alternative. Use dairy-free chocolate chips. If you don’t have sweetened condensed milk, you can use 1/2 cup of granulated sugar, but the texture won’t be quite as silky.

Nutrition

Keywords: crockpot hot chocolate, peppermint hot chocolate, slow cooker hot chocolate, homemade hot chocolate, holiday drink, winter beverage, easy hot chocolate recipe

Find it online: https://forkifyfun.com/cozy-crockpot-peppermint-hot-chocolate-easy-homemade-recipe/