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Cozy Slow Cooker Hot Cocoa Bar with 10 Toppings

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This slow cooker hot cocoa bar is the kind of thing that makes you look like a hero with almost zero effort. It’s not just a drink—it’s an experience, with a rich, velvety cocoa base and a DIY toppings station that turns any gathering into a cozy event.

Ingredients

Scale
  • 8 cups whole milk (1.9 liters)
  • 1 cup heavy cream (240 ml)
  • 1 cup unsweetened cocoa powder (120 grams)
  • 1 cup granulated sugar (200 grams)
  • 2 teaspoons vanilla extract (10 ml)
  • 1/4 teaspoon salt
  • 1 cup semi-sweet chocolate chips (175 grams)
  • 2 cups mini marshmallows
  • 1 can whipped cream (or homemade)
  • 1/2 cup chocolate shavings or curls
  • 1/2 cup crushed candy canes
  • 1/2 cup caramel sauce
  • 1/4 cup sprinkles
  • Cinnamon sticks (for stirring)
  • Sea salt flakes (for sprinkling)
  • 1/2 cup mini chocolate chips
  • Peppermint or caramel extract (a few drops per mug)

Instructions

  1. Combine the dry ingredients. In a small bowl, whisk together the cocoa powder, sugar, and salt.
  2. Add the milk and cream to the slow cooker. Pour in the whole milk and heavy cream. Give it a quick stir to combine.
  3. Whisk in the dry ingredients. Slowly add the cocoa mixture to the milk while whisking constantly until no dry spots remain.
  4. Add the vanilla and chocolate chips. Stir in the vanilla extract and semi-sweet chocolate chips.
  5. Cook on low for 2 hours. Cover the slow cooker and set it to low. Let it cook for 2 hours, stirring occasionally.
  6. Stir and adjust sweetness. After 2 hours, give the cocoa a good stir. Taste and add sugar if desired.
  7. Switch to warm setting. Turn the slow cooker to warm to keep the cocoa at perfect drinking temperature for up to 4 hours.
  8. Set up the toppings station. Arrange toppings in small bowls with spoons, a ladle, and napkins.
  9. Serve and let everyone customize. Ladle hot cocoa into mugs and let everyone add their favorite toppings.

Notes

Don’t rush the heat—use low setting to prevent scalding. Whisk thoroughly at the start to avoid lumps. The cocoa tastes even better if left on warm for an hour or two before serving. For a dairy-free version, use oat milk and full-fat canned coconut milk instead of heavy cream, and dairy-free chocolate chips.

Nutrition

Keywords: slow cooker hot cocoa, hot chocolate bar, winter drink, party drink, cozy drink, hot cocoa toppings

Find it online: https://dinadishes.com/cozy-slow-cooker-hot-cocoa-bar-with-10-toppings/