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Best Easy Crockpot Christmas Hot Chocolate Bar Recipe

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This budget-friendly crockpot hot chocolate is thick, dreamy, and so simple the kids can make it themselves. Perfect for holiday gatherings, it creates a festive hot chocolate bar that everyone will love.

Ingredients

Scale
  • 8 cups whole milk (1.9 liters)
  • 2 cups semi-sweet chocolate chips (340 grams)
  • 1 can sweetened condensed milk (14 ounces / 397 grams)
  • 1/4 cup unsweetened cocoa powder (20 grams)
  • 2 teaspoons vanilla extract (10 ml)
  • Pinch of salt
  • Mini marshmallows (for serving)
  • Whipped cream (optional, for topping bar)
  • Crushed candy canes or peppermint sticks (optional)
  • Chocolate shavings or sprinkles (optional)
  • Caramel or chocolate syrup (optional)
  • Mini pretzel sticks or saltine crackers (optional)

Instructions

  1. Prep the Crockpot: Spray the inside of a 6-quart or larger slow cooker with non-stick cooking spray.
  2. Combine Dry Ingredients: In a small bowl, whisk together the unsweetened cocoa powder and pinch of salt.
  3. Add Everything to the Crockpot: Pour the whole milk into the slow cooker. Add the semi-sweet chocolate chips, sweetened condensed milk, vanilla extract, and sprinkle the cocoa powder and salt mixture over the top.
  4. Whisk It All Together: Use a whisk to stir everything together until the cocoa powder is mostly incorporated and the chocolate chips are starting to get wet.
  5. Cook on Low: Put the lid on the crockpot and set to LOW. Cook for 2 to 3 hours, whisking every 45 minutes, until the chocolate chips are completely melted and the mixture is smooth, hot, and steamy.
  6. Keep Warm for Serving: Once ready, turn the crockpot to the ‘WARM’ setting to keep it hot for hours.
  7. Set Up Toppings Bar: While the hot chocolate simmers, prepare toppings: pour mini marshmallows into a bowl, put whipped cream in a serving dish, crush candy canes, and set everything out in small bowls.
  8. Serve and Enjoy: Ladle the hot chocolate into mugs and let everyone customize their drink with the toppings bar.

Notes

Cook on LOW only to prevent scorching. Whisk every 30-45 minutes to prevent a skin from forming. For a make-ahead option, prepare the day before, cool, refrigerate, and reheat on LOW for about an hour. For a dairy-free version, use oat milk or canned coconut milk, dairy-free chocolate chips, and vegan sweetened condensed milk.

Nutrition

Keywords: crockpot hot chocolate, Christmas hot chocolate, hot chocolate bar, slow cooker hot chocolate, budget-friendly hot chocolate, holiday drink

Find it online: https://dinadishes.com/best-easy-crockpot-christmas-hot-chocolate-bar-recipe/