If you like hot chocolate, then you should try this easy crockpot hot chocolate with instant mix recipe.
It’s a creamy, rich, and highly customizable hot chocolate drink. And it is perfect for cold days, movie nights and holiday gatherings.
How to Make Crockpot Hot Chocolate with Instant Mix
Easy crockpot hot chocolate with Instant mix is a creamy, rich hot chocolate made in a slow cooker using instant cocoa mix and milk. It’s smooth, cozy, and perfect for holidays or gatherings.
Ingredients:
- Instant Hot Chocolate Mix (1 ½ cups): Use a high-quality mix for the best flavor, Some of the best brands that I recommend are…Swiss Miss, Ghirardelli, Nestlé, and Land O’Lakes, etc.
- Whole Milk (6 cups): You can use any milk, but I prefer whole milk because it is good for creamy. Other, like 2% milk for lighter versions or plant-based milk like almond milk or oat milk, are fine, too.
- Optional Add-Ins for Extra Flavor and Creaminess: Heavy Cream or Half-and-Half (½ cup), Sweetened Condensed Milk (¼ cup) F, Vanilla Extract (1 teaspoon) or a Pinch of Salt, Espresso Powder (½ teaspoon).
Instructions:
- Grease: You have to grease your crockpot with butter or non stick spray. This will prevent milk and chocolate from sticking on the crockpot bottom. And you can also clean it easier.
- Add Instant Hot Chocolate Mix: Pour some instant chocolate mix (1 ½ cups) into the crockpot. I recommend you to go with a high quality instant mix. Like Swiss Miss or Ghirardelli
- Pour in 6 Cups of Milk: Add your preferred milk (6 cups of whole milk is recommended for creaminess)
- Whisk Well to Dissolve the Mix Completely: Stir all these things using a whisk until all ingredients are not completely mixed. Make sure there is no clump of instant mix.
- Set Crockpot to Low Heat for 1–2 Hours: It will help all the flavors to meld together, which is good for creamy texture, without scorching the milk. Stir in every 30 Minutes.
- Adjust Thickness: If the texture gets a little bit thick, add a little milk (about 1/4 cup) and then again stir it. If it gets too thin, then simmer it for a longer time or just add a little more hot chocolate mix.
- Serve with Toppings: Pour hot chocolate into a mug and top it with a whipped Cream, Marshmallows, Pistachios, etc.
Ingredient Substitutes:
This easy Crockpot Hot Chocolate with instant mix is highly customizable. Here are some substitutes to suit your dietary needs and preferences.
- Milk: For dairy free option, use coconut, or soy milk. I prefer almond milk for mild nutty flavor and oat milk for more naturally creaminess.
- Heavy Cream: Substitute it with half and half, evaporated milk or full fat coconut milk. If you use half and half, it will give you a balance of milk and cream. While evaporated milk will give you cream-like depth flavor.
- Sweetened Condensed Milk: Replace it with milk and sugar mix, like 1 cup of milk plus 1⁄4 cup of sugar.
- Instant Hot Chocolate Mix: Use cocoa powder, sugar, and a pinch of salt as a DIY alternative. You’ll need 1⁄4 cup of cocoa powder, 1⁄4 cup of sugar, and a pinch of salt for a similar chocolaty test. Use nonfat dairy milk powder for a creamy texture.
Tips for Perfect Crockpot Hot Chocolate Every Time
- Use whole milk or a combination of milk and cream for a richer texture: Whole milk will give a creamy base, heavy cream or half-and-half will enhance the velvety consistency.
- Avoid overheating to prevent a grainy texture: High heat will scorch the milk or sometimes it can cause the chocolate to separate. So keep the crockpot on low heat and stir occasionally for a smooth, creamy drink.
- Keep it warm on the “warm” setting for hours without burning: Once your hot chocolate is ready, you need to switch your crockpot to the “warm” setting. It will drink at the right temperature without overcooking.
- Clean your crockpot immediately after use to avoid residue buildup: Leftover chocolate get stick to the sides and it becomes tough to clean. I recommend you clean it as soon as possible.
Troubleshoot Common Problem
- Is hot chocolate too thick? Add a little warm milk (about 1/4 cup) and stir until you get the perfect creamy hot chocolate consistency.
- Too thin? Simmer hot chocolate for a longer time, or you can stir in some more instant hot chocolate mix.
- Not sweet enough? Consider adding some sugar, sweetened condensed milk, or honey.
- Lumpy texture? Use a whisk to break up lumps or a blender for a smoother finish.
- Is milk scalding? Reduce the heat to warm or turn off the crockpot once the hot chocolate is ready. If you keep it on high for a longer, it will cause milk scorching.
Toppings for the Best Crockpot Hot Chocolate
Making crockpot hot chocolate with instant mix is easy, but one thing that will make it even more appealing and flavorful is topping.
I have used most of these things which I mentioned down below, and I highly recommend you must add these things too.
Classic & Creamy Toppings:
- Whipped Cream (Classic or Flavored) – You must want to have it if you want a creamy chocolate. I recommend you try the flavor of whipped cream like caramel, peppermint, or cinnamon.
- Mini Marshmallows or Marshmallow Fluff – They will give an extra smooth and frothy texture, so you can melt them into your hot chocolate.
Chocolate Lover’s Toppings:
- Chocolate Shavings or Cocoa Powder – If you add a little bit dark, milk or even white chocolate shavings, it will make every sip more decadent.
- Chocolate Syrup Drizzle – If you want to deepen your drink richness, you can use a thick swirl of chocolate syrup.
Festive & Fun Toppings:
- Crushed Peppermint or Cinnamon Sprinkles – this is good, if you want to give your drink a holiday flair and a touch of spice.
- Crushed Cookies (Oreos, Biscoff, or Graham Crackers) – They’re good if you want a crunchy contrast to the creamy drink.For inspiration, you can check out my Chocolate Covered Graham Crackers or Copycat Chocolate Covered Oreos.
Crunchy & Nutty Additions:
- Toasted Coconut Flakes – It gives your drink a subtle tropical, nutty flavor.
- Chopped Nuts (Almonds, Pecans, or Hazelnuts) – A bit of crunch makes every sip interesting (I love pistachios, so I use them in more of my recipes)
Caramel & Sweet Extras:
- Caramel Drizzle or Butterscotch Sauce – You want to add this for a buttery and rich sweetness that pairs beautifully with your Crockpot hot chocolate recipe.
- Toffee Bits or Crushed Heath Bars – They’ll crunch some crunch with a deep caramelized flavor.
Presentation Ideas
- Rim your chocolate mug with some hot chocolate and crushed candy cans to add festive touch and extra flavor in every sip.
- You can also drizzle in some Low-Calorie White Chocolate Sauce for an elegant look without too many calories.
- Use a clear glass mug to show off the white cream drizzle and toppings layers. It will give a beautiful look to your drink.
What to Serve with Crockpot Hot Chocolate
Best Desserts:
- Girl Scout Caramel Chocolate Chip Cookies – soft, chewy, and perfect for dunking.
- Chocolate Fudge with Marshmallow Fluff – rich and indulgent with every sip.
- Brownies or Dark Chocolate Sweet Potato Fudge – a healthier and rich twist.
- Chocolate-Dipped Biscotti
Savory Pairings:
- Soft Pretzels with Cheese Dip
- Popcorn with a Sweet-and-Salty Seasoning
- Salted Nuts (Almonds, Cashews, or Pecans)
- Buttered Crostini with Brie
Perfect Breakfast Pairings:
- Flaky Croissants or Muffins
- Pancakes or Waffles
- French Toast Sticks
- Bakery Style Oatmeal Chocolate Chip Muffins
- Granola Bars or Oatmeal Cookies
Nutritional Value
Here’s a nutritional breakdown per serving (8 oz):
- Calories: 200-250 (depending on milk and add-ins).
- Fat: 8-10g (It also vary on cream and milk type you using).
- Sugar: 20-25g (you can adjust it based on mix and toppings).
- Protein: 6-8g.
Healthier Options:
- You can use low-fat milk or unsweetened almond milk.
- Opt for a sugar-free instant mix.
- If you don’t to consume too much calories, skip heavy cream and whipped cream for a lighter version.
Remember that it’s approximate nutrition value; the actual value will depend on the quantity of our ingredients, brands, etc.
Conclusion
This was the easy crockpot hot chocolate with instant mix recipe, which is a perfect cozy drink that you can make on any special occasion.
Especially when you’re hosting birthday parties, celebrating anniversary, valentine, etc. I mean it’s good for all types of gathering.
Besides this, it is highly customizable, and on top of that, you can serve too many things.
Now, I encourage you to try this easy crockpot hot chocolate recipe and serve it with your favorite toppings and mix-ins.
Let me know in the comments how it turned out, what ingredients you used, and your favorite hot chocolate variations!
All the best!
FAQs About the Crockpot Hot Chocolate with Instant Mix Recipe
Here are few questions and their answers to clear all your doubts:
Can I use water instead of milk?
Yes, you can use that, but I haven’t used it because using milk gives the drink a creamy and flavorful texture, which is important for hot chocolate.
While if you use water, just because you want to experiment with that, it will make your drink thinner and it won’t be rich too.
However, if you still want to use water, I highly recommend that you use some heavy cream or non-dairy creamer for extra body.
How long can I keep it in the crockpot?
You want to use the warm setting in your crockpot if you do, so you can keep your hot chocolate with instant mix warm for around 4 hours.
But you need to stir it occasionally to maintain smooth consistency.
You will especially want to use this feature when you are organizing a party or a dinner.
Can I make this recipe ahead of time?
Yes, you can prepare the hot chocolate with an instant mix around 3 days before serving it.
But you will want to keep that in a cold place like a refrigerator and reheat it in a crock pot on low. And stir occasionally until it’s warm enough to serve.
Can I use cocoa powder instead of instant mix in crockpot hot chocolate?
Yes, you can do that; you will have to mix ¼ cup of cocoa powder, ¼ cup of sugar, and a pinch of salt as a DIY alternative to instant mix. Besides this, you should add dry milk powder for creaminess.
How to keep hot chocolate warm in crockpot for a party?
After cooking your drink, set the crockpot to “warm” and stir it occasionally. By doing so, you can keep it warm for up to 4 hours.
What’s the best way to reheat crockpot hot chocolate made ahead of time?
You can store it in the fridge for up to 3 days. Ans, Reheat on low in the crockpot, also keep stirring it until fully warm.
What’s the best instant hot chocolate mix to use?
I like Swiss Miss, Ghirardelli, crockpot hot chocolate with instant mix.
You can also use homemade mix made from cocoa powder, sugar, and powder milk for customized flavor.
CrockPot Hot Chocolate with Instant Mix – Creamiest Copycat Ever!
Ingredients
Essential Ingredients
- Instant Hot Chocolate Mix – 1 ½ cups choose high-quality brands like Swiss Miss, Ghirardelli, Nestlé, or Land O'Lakes
- Milk – 6 cups whole milk for creaminess, or dairy-free options like almond or oat milk
Optional Add-Ins for Extra Flavor & Creaminess
- Heavy Cream or Half-and-Half – ½ cup for a thicker, indulgent texture
- Sweetened Condensed Milk – ¼ cup for extra sweetness and smoothness
- Vanilla Extract – 1 teaspoon enhances the chocolate flavor
- Pinch of Salt – 1/8 teaspoon balances the sweetness
- Espresso Powder – ½ teaspoon for a deeper chocolate flavor
- Coconut Cream – ¼ cup for a dairy-free rich texture
- Caramel Sauce or Dulce de Leche – 1 tablespoon for a buttery-sweet touch
- Peanut Butter or Nutella – 1 tablespoon for a nutty depth
- Cinnamon or Pumpkin Spice – ½ teaspoon for a warm, spiced flavor
Instructions
Step 1: Prepare the Crockpot
- Grease the crockpot with non-stick spray or butter to prevent sticking.
Step 2: Add the Instant Hot Chocolate Mix
- Pour the instant hot chocolate mix directly into the crockpot.
Step 3: Pour in the Milk & Additional Ingredients
- Add 6 cups of your preferred milk.
- If using add-ins like heavy cream, vanilla extract, or espresso powder, add them now for extra richness.
Step 4: Stir Well to Combine
- Use a whisk to mix everything thoroughly and ensure there are no lumps.
Step 5: Set the Crockpot to Low Heat
- Cook on low heat for 1-2 hours, allowing flavors to meld and develop a creamy texture.
Step 6: Stir Occasionally & Adjust Consistency
- Stir every 30 minutes to prevent clumps and adjust consistency.
- If too thick, add warm milk; if too thin, stir in more hot chocolate mix.
Step 7: Serve Warm with Your Favorite Toppings
- Pour into mugs and top with whipped cream, marshmallows, chocolate shavings, or crushed cookies.
Notes
- Keep crockpot on "warm" after cooking to maintain temperature for up to 4 hours.
- Clean the crockpot immediately after use to prevent residue buildup.
- For a homemade mix, replace store-bought instant mix with ¼ cup cocoa powder, ¼ cup sugar, and a pinch of salt.
I’m a self-taught home cook who turns everyday ingredients into comforting, café-style recipes. I test everything in my own kitchen (sometimes more than once), tweak flavors how I like them, and share only what I actually enjoy.
Most of my recipes are chocolate-based or have a creative twist, and I keep them preservative-free, beginner-friendly, and fun to make.
If you love cozy drinks, healthier desserts, or bold flavor combos — you’re in the right place. [Read full story]
I’ll cut the mix by ¼ cup and add a splash of espresso