Yep, that's a real thing! A real and really delicious thing. If you want to learn how to make hot chocolate in a slow cooker, you're in the right place!

At Cocoba, we're hot chocolate lovers through and through. There's not much else that we love more, especially when the days get shorter and warming your hands with a steaming mug of hot chocolate becomes the only thing on your mind.

But boiling milk on the stovetop or heating it in the microwave, and then simply adding some cocoa powder and some semi-sweet chocolate chips, can feel a bit basic after a while - as seasoned hot chocolate professionals and lovers! That's why we love slow cooker hot chocolate and have created this guide just for you!

How does it work? It's quite simple, really.

HOW TO MAKE HOT CHOCOLATE IN A SLOW COOKER

Using a slow cooker is a great, relaxed way to cook meals in batches. There's nothing better than filling the house with the scent of a stew, soup, or curry - why not do the same with hot chocolate? This slow cooker hot chocolate recipe comes with a creamy texture and the comforting smell of chocolate drifting through your home.

Perfect for parties, get-togethers, or just a quiet night inside after a cold day, try making hot chocolate in a slow cooker.

INGREDIENTS FOR SLOW COOKER HOT CHOCOLATE

• Milk (either regular full-fat milk, semi-skimmed, condensed milk, or a non-dairy alternative such as oat milk)
• 300ml double cream (or a non-dairy alternative or sweetened condensed milk)
• 200g Cocoba signature chocolate flakes (or vegan chocolate)
• 100g Cocoba milk chocolate flakes (again, feel free to use vegan chocolate instead)

STEP 1 - THROW EVERYTHING IN THE SLOW COOKER

To make this tasty crock pot hot chocolate, simply throw everything into the slow cooker! Set your slow cooker to low heat for two hours and let the cooker do its magic. Remember to give it a good stir halfway through, but otherwise, you can now enjoy the slow simmering scent of hot chocolate. Not only is this the best slow cooker hot chocolate recipe we've ever heard of (and the easiest), but it really benefits when you get creative with it.

STEP 2 - GET CREATIVE!

With such a simple hot chocolate recipe, it's easy to get creative with the ingredients. The prep time and overall flavour will remain, so now it's time to create your perfect cup of hot chocolate made in the slow cooker. You can basically create a whole new recipe!

• Add in a sprinkle of a bit more sugar.
• Some dark chocolate chips or shavings.
• Use cashew milk for a nutty twist.
• A few drops of vanilla extract, or a tablespoon of caramel sauce.
• Peppermint extract, orange zest, or a teaspoon of nutmeg.
• Salt and caramel, if you're into that.
• Add in whipped cream or extra milk for a creamier texture.
• Mix in some mini marshmallows towards the end of the cooking time.
• Use heavy cream, or top with whipped cream.
• Garnish with candy canes, marshmallows or sprinkle with cinnamon.

Personalising your homemade hot chocolate with some hot chocolate toppings is a great way to start a new Christmas Eve tradition, it's perfect on Christmas morning, or a nice winter treat that the kids will love...

SLOW COOKER HOT CHOCOLATE (WITH ALCOHOL)!

...But this version of the recipe is definitely just for the grown-ups.

Once you've thrown your ingredients into the slow cooker, customised the recipe to your preferences, and found the overall flavour to be to your liking, experimenting a bit further with your favourite liqueurs or alcoholic beverages is an extra layer of warmth and comfort.

Feel free to experiment, but here's a list of booze we think goes well with our easy crockpot hot chocolate:

• Dark or spiced rum
• Brandy
• Whisky
• Amaretto
• Bailey's Irish Cream
• Peppermint schnapps (pairs great with peppermint candy canes!)

Feel free to skip this if alcohol isn't for you but, for those who like to mix childhood and adulthood, adding alcohol into your slow cooker hot chocolate is a great way to feel warm during those winter evenings.

For all your hot chocolate choices, head on over to our shop page and have a gander.

SLOW COOKER HOT CHOCOLATE FAQS

WILL ANY LEFTOVER HOT CHOCOLATE KEEP?

Any leftover slow cooker hot chocolate (if you've even got any left over) should keep for 2-3 days in the fridge. Remember to give it a good stir while heating it back up, just in case the chocolate has sunk to the bottom.

CAN YOU USE PLANT-BASED MILK ALTERNATIVES?

Yes! Non-dairy and plant-based alternatives to cow milk can definitely be used when making hot chocolate in the slow cooker.

IS A SLOW COOKER GOOD FOR MELTING CHOCOLATE?

Definitely. Simply add your chocolate (we recommend using milk chocolate chips) to the slow cooker and stir until smooth. Remember to set the slow cooker at a low heat while slowly melting the chocolate.

WHAT KIND OF MILK IS BEST FOR HOT CHOCOLATE IN A SLOW COOKER?

Aside from cow milk, cream, or condensed milk, there's plenty of other choices. Almond milk, cashew milk, oat milk, or even rice milk can bring their own flavours to slow cooker hot chocolate. Any type of milk can be used in the slow cooker, so it all depends on your cocoa preferences!

HOW DO YOU KEEP HOT CHOCOLATE HOT FOR A LARGE CROWD?

Using a coffee pot, large thermos, or insulated carafe is a great way to keep your slow cooker hot chocolate warm and tasty. Keeping your hot chocolate slowly warming in the slow cooker works great too!

We hope you give our slow cooker hot chocolate a try and love it just as much as we do. It's a great way of getting the family involved as they can all add their own toppings and get as creative as they like. Don't forget to check out the rest of our blog for more tasty hot chocolate recipes, and our amazingly tasty hot chocolate when you want to give them a try!