Warm up your holiday season with a comforting mug of hot chocolate! I’ve gathered two of my favorite recipes for you, perfect for chilly evenings, festive gatherings, or just a quiet moment at home. These hot chocolate ideas are simple to make and taste so good.
Whether you like a classic minty treat or an easy slow-cooker option for a crowd, you’ll find a drink here to make your winter days brighter. I promise these will bring a cozy feeling to your kitchen.
Jump to Recipe:
Easy Christmas Eve Crockpot Hot Chocolate
This recipe is perfect for serving a crowd on Christmas Eve or any holiday get-together. It lets your slow cooker do all the work, keeping your hot chocolate warm and ready.
Key Ingredients & Tips
- Sweetened Condensed Milk: This ingredient makes the hot chocolate incredibly creamy and sweet without needing a lot of extra sugar.
- Chocolate Chips: I like to use a mix of milk chocolate and semi-sweet chocolate chips to get a balanced chocolate flavor.
What You Need
- 6 cups milk
- 1 cup heavy cream
- 1 (14-ounce) can sweetened condensed milk
- 1/2 cup unsweetened cocoa powder
- 1 cup chocolate chips (milk or semi-sweet)
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
⏱️ Time: 2 hours (on low)🍽️ Yields: 8-10 servings
How to Make It
Step 1: Combine All Ingredients
Pour the milk, heavy cream, and sweetened condensed milk into your slow cooker. Add the cocoa powder and chocolate chips. Stir everything together well until the cocoa powder is mostly mixed in.
Step 2: Cook and Serve
Cover the slow cooker and cook on the LOW setting for 2 hours, or until the hot chocolate is hot and the chocolate chips are fully melted. Stir well before serving to make sure it’s smooth. Add the vanilla extract just before serving.
📝 Final Note
Set up a topping bar next to your crockpot! Marshmallows, whipped cream, and chocolate sprinkles are always popular choices.
Homemade Christmas Peppermint Hot Chocolate
This hot chocolate tastes like a warm hug, full of rich chocolate and cool peppermint notes. It’s perfect for a chilly winter day.
Key Ingredients & Tips
- Real Peppermint Extract: Using a good quality peppermint extract will give you the best, clearest mint flavor in your drink.
- Whipped Cream Topping: A big dollop of whipped cream on top makes this drink feel extra special and looks festive.
What You Need
- 4 cups milk
- 1/4 cup granulated sugar
- 1/4 cup unsweetened cocoa powder
- 2 ounces dark chocolate, finely chopped
- 1/2 teaspoon peppermint extract
- Pinch of salt
⏱️ Time: 15 minutes🍽️ Yields: 4 servings
How to Make It
Step 1: Melt Chocolate and Mix
In a medium pot, combine the milk, sugar, cocoa powder, chopped dark chocolate, and salt. Heat this mixture over medium-low heat, stirring constantly, until the chocolate is fully melted and everything is smooth and hot. Do not let it boil.
Step 2: Flavor and Serve
Remove the pot from the heat. Stir in the peppermint extract until it is well combined. Pour the hot chocolate into mugs and serve it warm with your favorite toppings.
📝 Final Note
For an extra layer of warmth, you can add a tiny dash of cinnamon or a small pinch of cayenne pepper to the pot with the chocolate for a subtle kick.