Magical Christmas Eve Crockpot Hot Chocolate Recipe

Heavenly Christmas Eve Creamy Crockpot Hot Chocolate Recipe

Decadent winter nights call for a rich chocolate treat that warms every soul with its luxurious christmas eve crockpot hot chocolate.

Slow-cooking creates a velvety smooth drink that melts away the evening’s chill.

Marshmallows and whipped cream take this classic beverage to new heights of comfort.

Creamy and indulgent, this recipe promises to delight everyone gathered around the holiday table.

Simple ingredients blend together effortlessly in your trusty crockpot.

Each sip delivers pure warmth and nostalgic holiday cheer.

Quick Recipe Overview

Prep Time: 5 minutes

Cook Time: 2-3 hours

Total Time: 2-3 hours

Calories: 380 kcal

Servings: 11

Ingredients For Christmas Eve Creamy Crockpot Hot Chocolate

For Liquid Base:
  • Whole Milk: Provides a rich, creamy foundation that creates a luxurious texture for the hot chocolate.
  • Heavy Cream: Adds extra smoothness and depth, making the drink incredibly indulgent and velvety.
  • Sweetened Condensed Milk: Brings natural sweetness and helps create a thick, luscious consistency.
For Chocolate and Flavor Enhancers:
  • Chocolate Chips: Melts into a silky smooth base, delivering deep chocolate flavor and ultimate richness.
  • Vanilla Extract: Introduces a warm, aromatic undertone that elevates the entire chocolate experience.
  • Salt: Balances and intensifies the chocolate's natural sweetness, creating a more complex flavor profile.
For Garnishing and Topping:
  • Whipped Cream: Adds a cloud-like, airy texture that complements the rich hot chocolate.
  • Marshmallows: Provides a fluffy, sweet element that melts beautifully into the warm drink.
  • Candy Canes: Offers a festive peppermint crunch and decorative touch for holiday cheer.
  • Shaved Chocolate: Creates an elegant finishing detail with extra chocolate intensity.

Tools To Make Christmas Eve Creamy Crockpot Hot Chocolate

  • Crockpot (5-quart or larger): The essential slow cooker for creating creamy, dreamy hot chocolate.
  • Whisk: Perfect for stirring ingredients and ensuring smooth chocolate melting.
  • Ladle: Helps serve the hot chocolate evenly into festive mugs.
  • Measuring cups: Precise measurements for milk, cream, and other ingredients.
  • Wooden spoon: Great for occasional stirring during the cooking process.

How To Mix Christmas Eve Creamy Crockpot Hot Chocolate

  • Crockpot Preparation

Grab your large slow cooker and set it up for a cozy chocolate adventure. This magical kitchen tool will transform simple ingredients into a dreamy holiday beverage.

  • Chocolate Melting Magic

Pour all ingredients directly into the crockpot, letting them cuddle together. Stir gently to help chocolate chips start their smooth transformation, creating a rich and silky base.

  • Slow and Steady Warmth

Cover the crockpot and let the mixture simmer on low heat. Give occasional gentle stirs to ensure even melting and prevent any chocolate from sticking. This slow process develops deep, luxurious flavors.

  • Festive Serving

Once the hot chocolate reaches a velvety consistency, it’s ready to delight! Ladle the warm liquid into festive mugs and crown each serving with playful toppings like fluffy marshmallows, crunchy candy canes, or elegant chocolate shavings.

Tasty Tweaks For Christmas Eve Creamy Crockpot Hot Chocolate

  • Creamy Crockpot Hot Chocolate Magic Tricks
  • Chocolate Chip Perfection: Use high-quality chocolate chips like Ghirardelli or Guittard for richer, deeper flavor. Dark chocolate chips can add sophisticated depth while milk chocolate keeps it classic and kid-friendly.
  • Dairy-Free Delight: Swap whole milk and heavy cream with coconut milk or almond milk for a luscious lactose-free version. Coconut milk brings extra creamy richness that mimics traditional dairy.
  • Spice It Up: Add warming spices like ground cinnamon, nutmeg, or a pinch of cayenne pepper for sophisticated complexity. Mexican-style hot chocolate variations can transform this drink into a gourmet experience.
  • Boozy Adult Option: For grown-up gatherings, stir in a splash of Baileys, Kahlúa, or peppermint schnapps after cooking. These liqueurs blend seamlessly and elevate the hot chocolate into a festive cocktail.

Serve Christmas Eve Creamy Crockpot Hot Chocolate In Style

  • Cozy Fireside Sipping: Gather around the fireplace with mugs of this rich, creamy hot chocolate for the ultimate Christmas Eve comfort experience.
  • Festive Mug Bar Extravaganza: Set up a hot chocolate topping station with bowls of marshmallows, crushed candy canes, whipped cream, and chocolate shavings so guests can customize their drinks.
  • Winter Wonderland Pairing: Serve alongside classic holiday cookies like gingerbread or sugar cookies for a delightful sweet treat combination that captures the magic of the season.
  • Grown-Up Twist Option: For adult gatherings, offer a splash of peppermint schnapps or Bailey's Irish Cream as an optional boozy enhancement to the hot chocolate.

How To Store Christmas Eve Creamy Crockpot Hot Chocolate

Transfer leftover hot chocolate to airtight glass containers, storing in the refrigerator for up to 3-4 days. Gentle Reheating Trick: Warm slowly in the microwave or crockpot, stirring occasionally to maintain creamy consistency and prevent separation. Freezing Friendly: Pour cooled hot chocolate into freezer-safe containers, leaving slight space for expansion, lasting up to 1 month. Make-Ahead Magic: Prepare chocolate mixture 24 hours in advance, refrigerating ingredients and assembling just before serving for maximum flavor development.

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Magical Christmas Eve Crockpot Hot Chocolate Recipe

Magical Christmas Eve Crockpot Hot Chocolate Recipe


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4.6 from 18 reviews

  • Total Time: 2-3 hours
  • Yield: 11 1x

Description

Homemade Christmas eve creamy crockpot hot chocolate delivers rich, indulgent comfort perfect for winter celebrations. Warm chocolate goodness mingles with marshmallows and holiday cheer, inviting festive spirits to savor each delightful sip.


Ingredients

Scale
  • 2 cups milk chocolate chips (or semi-sweet chocolate chips)
  • 1 (14 oz/397 g) can sweetened condensed milk
  • 6 cups whole milk
  • 1 ½ cups heavy cream
  • 1 tsp vanilla extract
  • 1 pinch of salt
  • whipped cream
  • mini marshmallows
  • candy canes
  • shaved chocolate

Instructions

  1. Preparation: Combine whole milk, heavy cream, sweetened condensed milk, chocolate chips, vanilla extract, and salt in a spacious crockpot, ensuring thorough initial mixing.
  2. Slow Infusion: Cover crockpot and set to low temperature, allowing ingredients to meld gently and create a luxurious chocolate base while stirring occasionally to prevent chocolate from settling.
  3. Temperature Management: After 2-3 hours, verify complete chocolate dissolution and smooth consistency, then transition crockpot to warm setting to maintain perfect drinking temperature.
  4. Festive Finishing: Adorn each serving with optional garnishes like whipped cream, marshmallows, crushed candy canes, or chocolate shavings to elevate the holiday beverage experience.
  5. Serving: Carefully ladle the creamy, rich hot chocolate into inviting mugs, presenting a comforting and indulgent drink that captures the essence of Christmas Eve celebrations.

Notes

  • Choose High-Quality Chocolate: Select premium chocolate chips or chopped chocolate bars for richer, more complex flavor profiles that elevate the entire drink’s taste experience.
  • Prevent Scorching Technique: Stir mixture occasionally to distribute heat evenly and prevent chocolate from burning or sticking to crockpot bottom, ensuring smooth consistency.
  • Customize Dairy Options: Substitute whole milk with alternative milks like almond, oat, or coconut for dietary restrictions while maintaining creamy texture and delicious taste.
  • Adjust Sweetness Levels: Experiment with chocolate chip varieties or add extra sweetened condensed milk to control sweetness, accommodating different palate preferences and making the hot chocolate more personalized.
  • Prep Time: 5 minutes
  • Cook Time: 2-3 hours
  • Category: Drinks, Desserts
  • Method: Slow Cooking
  • Cuisine: American

Nutrition

  • Serving Size: 11
  • Calories: 380
  • Sugar: 30 g
  • Sodium: 100 mg
  • Fat: 22 g
  • Saturated Fat: 14 g
  • Unsaturated Fat: 8 g
  • Trans Fat: 0 g
  • Carbohydrates: 37 g
  • Fiber: 1 g
  • Protein: 6 g
  • Cholesterol: 70 mg
Liam O’Sullivan

Liam O’Sullivan

Founder & Culinary Content Creator

Expertise

Recipe Development​, Traditional Irish and European Cuisines, Food Styling and Photography, Culinary Education​

Education

Dublin Institute of Technology (DIT) – School of Culinary Arts and Food Technology

  • Degree: Bachelor of Arts in Culinary Arts
  • Focus: Comprehensive training in classical and modern cooking techniques, kitchen management, and menu development.​

Ballymaloe Cookery School

  • Program: 12-Week Certificate Course
  • Focus: Intensive, hands-on experience emphasizing farm-to-table cooking and sustainable practices.​

Isabella brings a global spark to the Craft Meats table. Born in Florence and trained at the Apicius International School of Hospitality, she blends classic Italian flavor with modern writing that’s easy to follow and hard to forget. 

Her additional training at the Italian Chef Academy fueled her love for well-crafted dishes, especially ones that spotlight beautiful cuts of meat.

She’s a food writer with heart, and a deep love for storytelling through single recipes. Her goal? To help you cook with more confidence and a little more joy, no matter where you start.

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