Slow-Cooked Comfort: The Perfect Hot Chocolate Crock-Pot Timing

There's nothing better than a big batch of hot chocolate on a cold day. But how long does it take to heat up in a crock pot? The time it takes varies depending on the temperature of your ingredients and your crock pot model. If your ingredients are already warm, it can take 30 minutes to an hour on a low heat setting. If starting from cold, it may take up to two hours on low heat or 45 minutes to an hour on a high heat setting. Be sure to stir occasionally to prevent scorching and, once it's ready, switch to the 'keep warm' setting to maintain the perfect temperature.

Crockpot hot chocolate with alcohol

Ingredients

• 1/4 cup unsweetened cocoa powder
• 1 1/2 cup semi-sweet chocolate chips
• 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
• 14 ounces sweetened condensed milk (1 can)
• 1 cup heavy whipping cream
• 1 cup alcohol of choice (e.g. Baileys, Kahlua, bourbon, rum, etc.)
• Mini marshmallows, for garnish

Method

• Set up your crock pot and add the cocoa powder, chocolate chips, vanilla, heavy whipped cream, and milk.
• Whisk everything together, focusing on getting the cocoa powder to blend into the milk.
• Cover and cook on LOW for 2 to 3 hours, stirring occasionally.
• When ready, remove the cover and stir in your alcohol of choice.
• Give the hot chocolate a final stir, whisking away any chocolate that might have filmed over.
• Ladle into mugs, top with marshmallows, and serve.

Tips

• For an extra special touch, use cinnamon sticks or a pinch of ground cinnamon to the crockpot for extra flavour.
• If you're short on time, heat the milk in the microwave first before adding it to the crockpot. This will help melt the chocolate chips faster.
• If you don't want to use heavy cream, you can substitute it with half-and-half or evaporated milk.
• If you're making this for a party, you can keep the crockpot on warm for up to 3 hours, but be sure to stir often.
• Store leftovers in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 4 days. Reheat on the stovetop over medium-low heat.

How to make hot chocolate in a crockpot

Ingredients

• Milk (whole milk is recommended for the best texture and flavour, but 2% milk will work too)
• Cream (heavy/whipping cream is best, but half-and-half is an acceptable substitute)
• Granulated sugar (white sugar, organic cane sugar, or honey can also be used)
• Chocolate (use a high-quality variety; semi-sweet or bittersweet chocolate bars or chips are best, but milk chocolate can be used for a less intense flavour)
• Vanilla extract (optional, but it adds a nice touch of warmth)
• Toppings of your choice (e.g. marshmallows, whipped cream, chocolate chips, caramel sauce, crushed peppermint, cinnamon)

Method

• Add all your ingredients (except the toppings) to your crockpot/slow cooker. The general recommendation is to use a 5- or 6-quart crockpot, but if you're making a larger batch, you may need a bigger crockpot or an additional one.
• Whisk the ingredients together, focusing on getting the cocoa powder (if using) to blend into the milk. Stirring the cocoa powder into the liquid before adding the chocolate chips can help ensure that everything melts together perfectly.
• Cover and cook on low heat for 2-3 hours, or on high heat for 45 minutes to 1 hour, stirring occasionally. The low heat setting is recommended, as high heat could scald the milk and cream.
• Once the chocolate is melted and the mixture is hot and well combined, it's ready to serve! Ladle the hot chocolate into mugs and add your desired toppings.
• If you're not serving the hot chocolate right away, you can keep it warm in the crockpot on a low or warm setting. It should stay warm for several hours, but be sure to stir it occasionally to prevent scorching.

Tips

• If you're short on time, heat the milk in the microwave first before adding it to the crockpot. This will help the chocolate melt faster.
• If you're making this for a party, you can prepare the hot chocolate in advance and reheat it over low heat when needed. It can be stored in the refrigerator for up to 3-5 days.
• To add a little extra kick to your hot chocolate, you can spike it with alcohol (e.g. Baileys Irish Cream, peppermint schnapps, Kahlua, Frangelico hazelnut liqueur, or whiskey) or a dash of instant espresso/coffee powder.

How long to heat hot chocolate in a crockpot

A crockpot is a great way to make a large batch of hot chocolate that stays warm for hours, making it perfect for chilly movie nights, holiday gatherings, or winter parties.

The time it takes to heat up hot chocolate in a crockpot depends on several factors, such as the initial temperature of your ingredients and the crockpot model. If your ingredients are already warm, it can take about 30 minutes to an hour on a low heat setting to reach serving temperature. If starting from cold or room temperature, it may take up to two hours on low heat or one to two hours on a high heat setting.

It's important to stir the mixture occasionally to ensure even melting and prevent scorching. Once the chocolate is melted and the mixture is smooth, you can turn the crockpot to a low or warm setting until you are ready to serve.

• Heat the milk in the microwave first before adding it to the crockpot. This will help melt the chocolate faster and reduce the chance of clumping.
• If using cocoa powder, whisk it into the liquid before adding the chocolate to ensure it blends properly.
• Stick to low heat to avoid scalding the milk and cream.
• If your crockpot tends to get very hot, check periodically to ensure the chocolate isn't burning or curdling, especially as the amount of hot chocolate in the crockpot lessens.

With these tips, you can enjoy a delicious and warm cup of hot chocolate straight from your crockpot!

Hot chocolate toppings

The best thing about a hot chocolate bar is that you can customise your cocoa with treats, flavours, and sprinkles! So, it's entirely up to you what you put in your hot chocolate. Here are some topping ideas to get you started:

Classic Toppings

• Marshmallows – Regular, Mini, and Fruit-Flavoured
• White, Dark, and Milk Chocolate Chips
• A Variety of Chocolate Bars – Orange, Chilli, Salted Caramel, etc.
• Flavoured Coffee Creamer – Vanilla, Pumpkin Spice, Gingerbread, etc.
• Hot Tamales or other candies
• Sweetened Coconut Shavings
• Crushed Peppermint Sticks
• Crushed Gingerbread Cookies

Other Toppings

• Vanilla whipped cream
• Mini chocolate chips
• Crushed peppermints or candy canes or soft peppermint sticks
• Milk chocolate truffles
• White chocolate shavings
• Dark chocolate syrup
• Caramel syrup or caramel sauce
• Wafer cookies
• Paper straws
• Toffee bits
• Coarse sea salt
• Cinnamon
• Sprinkles
• Sliced Almonds
• Butterscotch Chips
• Mini Peanut Butter Cups
• Crushed Oreos
• Hot Fudge Sauce
• Ice Cream

For Adults-Only

• Spirits: Vodka, bourbon, and whiskey
• Flavoured vodkas: cherry, whipped cream, and caramel
• Liquors: Bailey’s Irish cream, Amarula, and Frangelico

How to store and reheat leftover hot chocolate

When storing leftover hot chocolate, it is important to let it cool to room temperature before transferring it to a sealed container. Glass jars with lids or airtight food storage containers are ideal for this purpose. Make sure to keep the container in the refrigerator, where the leftover hot chocolate should stay good for up to four days.

When you're ready to enjoy your leftover hot chocolate again, simply transfer it to a small saucepan and heat it slowly over medium-low heat. Stir the hot chocolate occasionally to prevent it from scorching or sticking to the bottom of the pan. You can also reheat it in the microwave until it is hot but not boiling.

It's worth noting that hot chocolate should not be left out at room temperature for more than two hours, as perishable foods should not remain in the "danger zone" of temperatures for extended periods. If you're keeping the hot chocolate in a crockpot, you can extend this time to four hours by keeping the crockpot on warm. However, be careful not to overheat the chocolate, as this can ruin its texture and taste.

Additionally, if you're making hot chocolate in a crockpot, it's recommended to heat the milk in the microwave first before adding it to the crockpot. This speeds up the melting process and helps the chocolate chips melt more evenly.

Frequently asked questions