Crockpot Peppermint Hot Chocolate: Easy Holiday Recipe
This crockpot peppermint hot chocolate is a rich, creamy, and festive holiday drink that’s incredibly easy to make. Simply combine milk, chocolate, and peppermint in your slow cooker for a warm, comforting beverage that’s perfect for gatherings.
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 2 hours
- Total Time: 2 hours 10 minutes
- Yield: 8-10 servings 1x
- Category: Beverage
- Cuisine: American
Ingredients
- 6 cups whole milk
- 2 cups half-and-half
- 1 ½ cups semi-sweet chocolate chips
- ½ cup unsweetened cocoa powder
- ¾ cup granulated sugar
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
- ½ teaspoon peppermint extract
- Pinch of salt
- Crushed candy canes for garnish (about 4-5 candy canes)
- Whipped cream for serving
Instructions
- In a small bowl, whisk together the unsweetened cocoa powder, granulated sugar, and pinch of salt.
- Pour the 6 cups of whole milk and 2 cups of half-and-half into a 6-quart or larger slow cooker. Give it a quick stir.
- Slowly pour the cocoa-sugar mixture into the milk while whisking gently to dissolve evenly.
- Add the 1 ½ cups of semi-sweet chocolate chips.
- Stir in the 1 teaspoon of vanilla extract and ½ teaspoon of peppermint extract (start with ¼ teaspoon and adjust to taste).
- Cover the crockpot and cook on low for 2 hours. After about 1 hour, give it a stir to ensure everything is melted and combined.
- After 2 hours, whisk the hot chocolate until smooth and creamy. Ladle into mugs, top with whipped cream, and sprinkle crushed candy canes on top. Optionally, stick a whole candy cane in the mug as a stirrer.
- Set the crockpot to the ‘warm’ setting to keep the hot chocolate perfect for up to 4 more hours, stirring every hour or so.
Notes
Don’t let the hot chocolate boil; check after 1.5 hours if your crockpot runs hot. Taste at the 1-hour mark to adjust sweetness or peppermint level. Crush candy canes right before serving to prevent clumping. For a thicker texture, stir in ½ cup of heavy cream at the end. For a dairy-free version, use full-fat oat milk and canned coconut cream instead of half-and-half, and dairy-free chocolate chips.
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 8 ounces
- Calories: 320
- Sugar: 30
- Sodium: 120
- Fat: 16
- Saturated Fat: 10
- Carbohydrates: 38
- Fiber: 2
- Protein: 8
Keywords: crockpot hot chocolate, peppermint hot chocolate, slow cooker hot chocolate, holiday drink, Christmas hot chocolate, easy hot chocolate recipe