Espresso Slow Cooker Hot Chocolate

Jump to Recipe

Espresso Slow Cooker Hot Chocolate is the richest, creamiest, most delicious hot chocolate you’ll ever taste! Made with just 6 ingredients, it’s perfect for snow days, movie nights, holiday parties, and more. Top it off with marshmallows or whipped cream for the best cold-weather drink!

Why We Love this Slow Cooker Hot Chocolate

There’s nothing more comforting than a warm cup of hot chocolate on a cold day. In fact, our families love it so much, we often find ourselves making multiple batches! Until now. We took standard hot chocolate recipes and took them to the next level with this decadent espresso slow cooker hot chocolate! Here are just a few reasons why we love it (and know you will, too):

It comes together with just 6 simple ingredients
All you have to do is dump the ingredients in your slow cooker and come back later. No standing over the stovetop required!
Featuring espresso, it has an elevated flavor and provides a boost of caffeine for extra energy.
One batch is perfect for feeding a big crowd!

Ingredients You’ll Need

You’ll be surprised at how just a handful of simple ingredients can create the richest, most decadent slow cooker hot chocolate! Here’s everything you’ll need:

Whole Milk – Making hot chocolate with milk, particularly whole milk, is the secret to creating a rich taste.
Heavy Cream – Included for an even creamy texture.
Cocoa Powder – Unsweetened cocoa powder forms the base of the chocolate flavor and provides a boost of antioxidants!
Sugar – Adjust the sugar to suit your flavor preferences. For a lower-calorie option, swap it out with Stevia or Swerve instead.
Dark Chocolate – Melted into the mixture, dark chocolate makes for an even more indulgent flavor. Just make sure it’s a high-quality brand like Lindt or Ghiradelli!
Espresso – Use a fully brewed espresso shot. Regular or decaf both taste great.

How to Make Slow Cooker Hot Chocolate

This espresso slow cooker hot chocolate is so easy, we can barely call it a recipe. However, it’s so good not sharing it would be selfish! Here’s what to do:

Create the Hot Chocolate Base. Add the whole milk, heavy cream, cocoa powder, sugar, and espresso to your slow cooker. Whisk until they are well combined and smooth.
Add the Dark Chocolate. Stir in the chocolate.
Cook. Cover the slow cooker, and cook on high for 1 hour.
Serve. Whisk the ingredients again, divide the slow cooker hot chocolate into mugs, add your favorite toppings, and enjoy warm!

Serving Suggestions

You could definitely serve this slow cooker hot chocolate on its own, but we like to make it a little extra with all the best toppings! Some of our favorites include:

Marshmallows
Whipped Cream
Cinnamon
Chocolate Sauce
Caramel Sauce
Chocolate Chips
Candy Canes
Sprinkles
Chocolate Shavings

Then, pair it with dipping options like:

Chocolate Truffles
S’mores Cookies
Cookies ‘n Cream Double Chocolate Chunk Cookies
Chocolate Chip Cookies
Andes Mints
Wafer Cookies

close up image of a mug of slow cooker hot chocolate topped with mini marshmallows and chocolate shavings

Frequently Asked Questions

Will the milk curdle in the slow cooker?

Nope! The slow cooker will be set to low to allow the ingredients to heat up together without actually cooking the milk.

Can I leave out the heavy cream?

Yes. Your slow cooker hot chocolate will still be delicious, it just won’t be as creamy or as rich.

Can I make this recipe without a slow cooker?

Sure! If you don’t have a slow cooker, you can make this recipe in a large dutch oven or pot. Just add all of the ingredients, and let them cook on low until they are melted and well combined, stirring frequently.

More Recipes Perfect for the Holidays

If you’re preparing this slow cooker hot chocolate for festive celebrations, you won’t want to miss out on more of our favorite holiday recipes below!