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Easy Crockpot Peppermint Hot Chocolate: Best Holiday Drink

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Rich, creamy hot chocolate infused with real peppermint bark, made effortlessly in a slow cooker. Perfect for holiday gatherings, this set-it-and-forget-it recipe delivers a festive, crowd-pleasing drink with minimal effort.

Ingredients

Scale
  • 6 cups whole milk
  • 1 cup heavy cream
  • 1/2 cup granulated sugar
  • 1/3 cup unsweetened cocoa powder
  • 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
  • 1/4 teaspoon salt
  • 6 ounces peppermint bark, roughly chopped
  • Optional for serving: whipped cream, crushed candy canes, mini marshmallows, chocolate shavings, extra peppermint bark pieces

Instructions

  1. Prep the crockpot (2 minutes): Plug in your slow cooker and set it to low. Give the inside a quick spray with nonstick cooking spray if you’re worried about the milk sticking, though it’s usually not necessary if you whisk occasionally.
  2. Combine the dry ingredients (3 minutes): In a small bowl, whisk together the cocoa powder, granulated sugar, and salt. This step prevents lumps from forming when you add it to the liquid.
  3. Add the liquids (2 minutes): Pour the whole milk and heavy cream into the crockpot. Add the cocoa-sugar mixture and whisk until the dry ingredients are fully dissolved. The milk will look a little grainy at this point, but don’t worry—it will smooth out as it heats.
  4. Add the peppermint bark (1 minute): Drop in the chopped peppermint bark pieces. Give everything one more stir. The bark will float around at first, but it will melt beautifully as the mixture warms up.
  5. Cook on low (45 minutes to 1 hour): Cover the crockpot and cook on low for 45 minutes, stirring every 15 minutes or so. You’ll know it’s ready when the peppermint bark has completely melted and the hot chocolate is steaming and smooth.
  6. Add the vanilla (30 seconds): Stir in the vanilla extract just before serving. This brightens the chocolate flavor and rounds out the sweetness.
  7. Taste and adjust (1 minute): Ladle a small amount into a mug and taste it. If you want it sweeter, stir in a tablespoon of sugar at a time. If you want more peppermint kick, you can add 1/4 teaspoon of peppermint extract—but go slowly, it’s potent stuff.
  8. Switch to warm setting (10 seconds): If you’re not serving immediately, switch the crockpot to the ‘warm’ setting. It will stay perfect for up to 3 hours. Just give it a quick stir every 30 minutes or so.
  9. Serve and garnish (5 minutes): Ladle the hot chocolate into mugs and let everyone top their own. I like to set out small bowls of whipped cream, crushed candy canes, mini marshmallows, and extra peppermint bark pieces.

Notes

For best results, chop peppermint bark into small, uniform pieces (pea-sized) for even melting. Cook on low and stir every 15 minutes to prevent scorching. If the hot chocolate gets too hot and the cream separates, whisk vigorously for a minute or two to bring it back together. This recipe can be made up to 2 days in advance; store in the refrigerator and reheat on low in the crockpot for 30-45 minutes.

Nutrition

Keywords: crockpot hot chocolate, peppermint hot chocolate, slow cooker hot chocolate, holiday drink, peppermint bark hot chocolate, easy hot chocolate recipe

Find it online: https://novanosh.com/easy-crockpot-peppermint-hot-chocolate-best-holiday-drink/