Cozy Crockpot Peppermint Hot Chocolate: 5-Min Easy Recipe
A rich, creamy peppermint hot chocolate made effortlessly in a slow cooker. This set-it-and-forget-it recipe delivers café-quality comfort with minimal active prep time.
- Prep Time: 5 minutes
- Cook Time: 2 to 3 hours
- Total Time: 2 hours 5 minutes
- Yield: 8 servings 1x
- Category: Beverages
- Cuisine: American
Ingredients
Scale
- 4 cups whole milk (or oat milk for lactose intolerance)
- 1 cup heavy cream (or full-fat coconut milk for dairy-free)
- 8 ounces high-quality semi-sweet chocolate bars, chopped
- 1/4 to 1/2 cup sugar (adjust to taste)
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
- 1/2 to 1 teaspoon pure peppermint extract
- 1 pinch salt
- Optional toppings: whipped cream, crushed candy canes, marshmallows
Instructions
- Pour whole milk and heavy cream into the slow cooker insert. Add sugar and salt, whisking gently until sugar is mostly dissolved.
- Add chopped chocolate pieces to the milk mixture. Do not stir yet; let them sit on top.
- Cover the slow cooker and set to LOW heat. Cook for 2 to 3 hours until chocolate is mostly melted.
- After 2 hours, lift the lid and stir well with a whisk. If chunks remain, cook for another 30 minutes until smooth and glossy.
- Turn off the slow cooker. Stir in vanilla extract and peppermint extract. Taste and adjust mint if desired.
- Keep warm on the ‘Warm’ setting for up to 2 hours if hosting, stirring occasionally to maintain texture.
- Ladle into heat-proof mugs and top with whipped cream, crushed candy canes, or marshmallows. Serve immediately.
Notes
Use high-quality chocolate bars rather than chips for a smoother texture, as chips contain stabilizers that can make the drink grainy. Do not use HIGH heat as it may scald the milk or cause separation. Peppermint extract is potent; start with 1/2 teaspoon and add more to taste. For a dairy-free version, substitute milk and cream with full-fat canned coconut milk.
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 cup
- Calories: 350
- Sugar: 26
- Sodium: 100
- Fat: 24
- Saturated Fat: 15
- Carbohydrates: 28
- Fiber: 2
- Protein: 6
Keywords: peppermint hot chocolate, crockpot hot chocolate, slow cooker recipe, winter drinks, holiday beverages, creamy hot chocolate, easy dessert drink