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Best Crockpot Hot Chocolate Bar Recipe for a Crowd

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This crockpot Christmas hot chocolate bar is the one that saves your sanity while making you look like a host who has it all together. The slow cooker does all the work, creating a velvety, indulgent hot chocolate that lets your guests build their own mugs while you actually enjoy the gathering.

Ingredients

Scale
  • 6 cups whole milk
  • 2 cups heavy cream
  • 1 ½ cups semi-sweet chocolate chips
  • ½ cup unsweetened cocoa powder
  • ½ cup granulated sugar
  • 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
  • ¼ teaspoon salt
  • Mini marshmallows (for toppings)
  • Whipped cream (for toppings)
  • Crushed candy canes (for toppings)
  • Chocolate shavings (for toppings)
  • Caramel sauce (for toppings)
  • Peppermint sticks (for toppings)
  • Cinnamon sticks (for toppings)
  • Sprinkles (for toppings)
  • Toasted coconut flakes (for toppings)
  • Sea salt flakes (for toppings)
  • Peppermint schnapps (optional, for grown-up add-ins)
  • Baileys Irish Cream (optional, for grown-up add-ins)
  • Kahlúa (optional, for grown-up add-ins)
  • Bourbon (optional, for grown-up add-ins)

Instructions

  1. Combine the dry ingredients: In a small bowl, whisk together the ½ cup unsweetened cocoa powder, ½ cup granulated sugar, and ¼ teaspoon salt. This step prevents clumps later.
  2. Add the milk and cream to the slow cooker: Pour in the 6 cups of whole milk and 2 cups of heavy cream. Give it a quick stir with your whisk.
  3. Add the dry ingredients and chocolate chips: Whisk the cocoa mixture into the milk until it’s mostly dissolved. Then add the 1 ½ cups of semi-sweet chocolate chips. Don’t worry if they float at first—they’ll melt as the mixture heats.
  4. Add the vanilla: Stir in the 1 teaspoon of vanilla extract.
  5. Cook on low for 2 hours: Set your slow cooker to low and put the lid on. Resist the urge to stir for the first hour. After an hour, give it a good whisk to incorporate the melted chocolate. Then let it cook for another hour. The hot chocolate should be steaming and smooth when it’s done.
  6. Switch to warm setting: Once the hot chocolate is ready, switch your slow cooker to the warm setting. It will stay perfectly drinkable for up to 4 hours. If it thickens over time, just stir in a splash of milk to thin it out.
  7. Set up your toppings bar: While the hot chocolate cooks, prep your toppings. Crush the candy canes by placing them in a zip-top bag and hitting them with a rolling pin. Arrange everything in small bowls and set them out on the table with a ladle and mugs.
  8. Serve and enjoy: Ladle the hot chocolate into mugs and let guests go wild at the toppings bar. If you’re offering grown-up add-ins, set those out separately with a small pitcher or bottle so people can control their own pours.

Notes

Always whisk the cocoa powder with sugar first to prevent clumps. Use room-temperature dairy for best results. Don’t lift the lid too often during cooking. You can make the hot chocolate base the night before and refrigerate it in the slow cooker insert. For a smaller crowd, halve the recipe and use a 4-quart slow cooker. For a larger party, double it and use an 8-quart. Don’t let the hot chocolate boil, as it will cause the dairy to separate.

Nutrition

Keywords: crockpot hot chocolate, slow cooker hot chocolate, Christmas hot chocolate, hot chocolate bar, holiday drink, party drink, hot cocoa

Find it online: https://ovenmila.com/best-crockpot-hot-chocolate-bar-recipe-for-a-crowd/