Cozy Crockpot Peppermint Hot Chocolate: Easy Homemade Recipe
This rich and creamy crockpot peppermint hot chocolate is the ultimate winter comfort drink. Made with simple pantry ingredients, it’s perfect for snow days, holiday parties, or cozy nights in.
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 2 hours
- Total Time: 2 hours 10 minutes
- Yield: 8 servings 1x
- Category: Beverage
- Cuisine: American
Ingredients
Scale
- 6 cups whole milk
- 1 cup heavy cream
- 1 cup granulated sugar
- 1 cup unsweetened cocoa powder
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
- 1/4 teaspoon salt
- 1 teaspoon peppermint extract
- 4–6 full-sized candy canes, crushed (for garnish)
- Whipped cream (optional, for topping)
- Additional crushed candy canes (optional, for topping)
- Chocolate shavings (optional, for topping)
- Mini marshmallows (optional, for topping)
Instructions
- In your crockpot, whisk together the cocoa powder, granulated sugar, and salt until no lumps remain.
- Slowly pour in the whole milk and heavy cream, whisking constantly to dissolve the dry ingredients.
- Stir in the vanilla extract and peppermint extract.
- Cover the crockpot and cook on low for 2 hours (or on high for 1 hour). Stir halfway through to prevent sticking.
- Taste and adjust: add more peppermint extract (1/4 teaspoon at a time) if desired, or a pinch of salt to balance sweetness.
- While the hot chocolate cooks, place the candy canes in a zip-top bag and crush them with a rolling pin into a mix of fine powder and small chunks.
- Ladle the hot chocolate into mugs. Top with whipped cream, crushed candy canes, chocolate shavings, or mini marshmallows as desired. Serve immediately.
Notes
For a dairy-free version, use oat milk and full-fat coconut cream. For a lower-sugar option, use monk fruit sweetener or coconut sugar. The hot chocolate can be stored in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3 days. Reheat on the stovetop or microwave, adding a splash of milk if too thick.
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 cup
- Calories: 320
- Sugar: 35
- Sodium: 180
- Fat: 16
- Saturated Fat: 10
- Carbohydrates: 40
- Fiber: 3
- Protein: 8
Keywords: peppermint hot chocolate, crockpot hot chocolate, slow cooker hot chocolate, homemade hot chocolate, winter drink, holiday drink, cozy drink