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Slow Cooker Peppermint Hot Chocolate

Slow Cooker Peppermint Hot Chocolate

The ultimate comfort food for winter nights! This Slow Cooker Peppermint Hot Chocolate is rich, creamy, and perfect for warming up on chilly evenings. Indulge in this easy weeknight treat that will have everyone begging for seconds. Make it tonight and bring the holiday spirit into your home!
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Prep Time 5 minutes
Cook Time 1 hour
Total Time 1 hour 5 minutes
Servings: 7 cups
Course: Desserts
Cuisine: American
Calories: 400
Ingredients Equipment Method Notes

Ingredients
  

  • 6 ½ cups Milk I used 2%.
  • ½ cup Heavy Cream Or just use more milk.
  • 1 ½ to 1 ¾ cups Chocolate Chips Start with less, add more for richer and sweeter hot chocolate.
  • 1 tablespoon Unsweetened Cocoa Powder
  • 1 tablespoon Warm Water
  • 1 teaspoon Vanilla Extract
  • ½ to 1 teaspoon Peppermint Extract I used ¾ teaspoon. Start with less, add more to taste. Peppermint extract can be very strong!
  • A pinch Salt
  • Whipped Cream
  • Crushed Peppermint Candies
  • Chocolate Shavings

Equipment

  • Slow Cooker
  • Mixing Bowl
  • Whisk
  • Wooden Spoon

Method
 

  1. In a small bowl, mix together the cocoa powder and warm water to make a paste.
  2. Add the milk, heavy cream, chocolate chips, and cocoa paste to the slow cooker, set to low for one hour.
  3. Stir a few times with a whisk during cooking.
  4. When chocolate is melted, whisk until fully combined and smooth. Add the peppermint extract, vanilla extract, and salt. Taste and add more peppermint extract if needed.
  5. If you want a sweeter, more chocolatey hot chocolate, add ¼ cup more chocolate chips and stir until fully melted.
  6. Serve with whipped cream, crushed peppermint candies, and chocolate shavings to garnish.
  7. Hot cocoa can be kept on the warm setting for several hours, but will need to be whisked a few times as it forms a skin on top.

Notes

  • Tip 1: It is easy to go overboard, so start with less and add more to taste. I would start with ½ teaspoon and then add another ¼ teaspoon if you feel it needs it.
  • Tip 2: For the chocolate chips, start with a smaller amount and add more to taste.
  • Tip 3: If the hot chocolate is too sweet just add a little more milk.
  • Tip 4: Easily make dairy free by using non-dairy milk and dairy free chocolate chips. My mom used vanilla almond milk and loved it.