Ditch The Packets — Make Unforgettably Rich Hot Chocolate In Your Crock-Pot

While you can certainly make a quick, sweet beverage with one of many popular hot chocolate mixes available, nothing beats a full mug of hot cocoa made from scratch. There is something extra special about combining real chocolate, milk, cream, cocoa powder, and select spices to craft one of winter's most rewarding sweet treats. What's more, if you don't want to spend a good chunk of your afternoon constantly stirring these ingredients over the stove, you can make ultimate slow cooker hot chocolate instead and let your Crock-Pot do the bulk of the work for you.

Thanks to the self-heating properties of a slow cooker, you can safely ditch packaged hot chocolate with ease. All you need to do is plan ahead and make sure you have all the necessary ingredients. Specifically, to prepare rich slow cooker hot chocolate, you need solid milk chocolate, whole milk, heavy cream, sugar, cocoa powder, vanilla, and salt. You can also add in some cinnamon sticks for a more complex taste.

Once you add all of these ingredients to the slow cooker, set it to the low setting, and whisk everything together, all you need to do is stir the combined ingredients once every hour for four hours until perfectly creamy and ready to serve. Alternatively, if you want to prepare a recipe that takes only two hours, combine regular milk with sweetened condensed milk, chocolate chips, heavy whipping cream, and vanilla. Then, simply stir the mixture intermittently for two hours before serving.

First, to give slow cooker hot chocolate a more noteworthy flavor than instant hot cocoa packets, make sure to use quality ingredients. Aside from the usual milk and heavy cream, opt for Dutch-processed cocoa powder instead of conventional varieties. Dutch cocoa is less acidic than natural cocoa powder and ultimately has a smoother, more distinct chocolate flavor. Also, aim to use quality chocolate bars or chips for hot cocoa that has a rich, more developed taste. A good rule of thumb is to choose a variety that has a short ingredient list with little additives.

As long as you remember to stir your hot chocolate so it doesn't stick to the bottom of your slow cooker, this (mostly) hands-off preparation method is simple to follow and is ultimately the best way to serve hot chocolate to a crowd. Instead of using multiple instant hot cocoa packets to prepare separate mugs of hot chocolate for friends and family, all you need to do is add a ladle to your slow cooker so everyone can fill their own mug. Better yet, if you have some extra time before enjoying this recipe, you can prepare a buffet-style bar with optional toppings. Feel free to fill small bowls with miniature marshmallows, chocolate shavings, and crushed peppermints. Also, include a few cans of whipped cream on the side along with mugs, spoons, and stir-sticks for easy assembly.