The Easiest Slow Cooker Peppermint Hot Cocoa

Holiday entertaining season is in full swing, which means we'll have several opportunities to gather and celebrate. Aside from spending time with my friends and family, I relish the chances to get fierce and festive for holiday parties. And doesn't everybody enjoy the food and drinks? Being the hostess with the mostest can get stressful, though, so any hack that saves me time in the kitchen and gets me out into the party is golden in my book. Today, I'm going to teach you how to make creamy, dreamy hot chocolate with just the right touch of refreshing peppermint flavor for a crowd...in your slow cooker. Does it get any easier than that? Whether you're hosting or going to a potluck type of party, this slow cooker peppermint hot cocoa will be a hit with everyone who sips and will be so easy for you to make!

How to Make Hot Cocoa for a Crowd

Hot chocolate is such a comforting, festive treat during the holiday season but not something most of us think to prepare for large groups, especially when travel is involved. I first created this slow cooker hot chocolate recipe for an office potluck and the process was easier than you might imagine. If you're heading to a party already in swing, make this peppermint hot cocoa in your slow cooker at home then transport it with a locking lid.

And if you'll have ample time to set up before the party starts, just tote your ingredients (there are only six) along with your slow cooker. After only five minutes of prep, let the slow cooker peppermint hot cocoa do its thing for a couple of hours and you'll soon have hot holiday drinks for a crowd with minimal effort and very easy cleanup. This slow cooker cocoa recipe is even easier to make than my popular red wine hot cocoa and, undoubtedly, more office appropriate. 🙂

Notes on Making Slow Cooker Peppermint Hot Cocoa

• Feel free to use the dairy-free or plant-based milk and cream of your choice in this hot chocolate recipe. I have used dairy, almond, and coconut milks, each with great results.
• For obvious reasons, room temperature milk works fastest in this recipe.
• You can substitute the peppermint extract with peppermint candies in a pinch or with vanilla extract for traditional hot chocolate flavor.

What to Put in Hot Cocoa to Make it Even Better

• Candy canes
• Chocolate shavings
• Chocolate syrup
• Crushed peppermint
• Festive sprinkles
• Liquor  (Wondering what alcohol is good in hot cocoa? Bourbon, spiced rum, raspberry liqueur, and red wine all go well with chocolate.)
• Marshmallows
• Whipped cream

So what's your hot holiday drink of choice? Got any questions on how to make hot cocoa? Let me know below. And sharing is caring so be sure to pin this slow cooker peppermint cocoa recipe on Pinterest. Thanks for reading!

P.S. More popular potluck recipes:

• Deviled Egg Dip
• Skillet S'more's Dip
• Trader Joe's Cheese Board

5 from 9 votes

Print

Slow Cooker Peppermint Hot Cocoa

Prep Time

5 mins

Cook Time

2 hrs

 

Course: Dessert, Drinks

Cuisine: American

Keyword: hot chocolate for a crowd, hot holiday drinks recipe, how to make hot chocolate, peppermint hot chocolate, peppermint hot chocolate with cocoa powder, slow cooker hot chocolate recipe, slow cooker hot cocoa

Servings: 10 servings

Author: Jazzmine from Dash of Jazz

Ingredients

• ½ gallon milk
• 2 cups heavy cream
• 1 ½ tablespoon peppermint extract
• 1 teaspoon sea salt
• ¾ cup sugar
• 1 cup unsweetened cocoa powder or unsweetened dark cocoa powder

Instructions

1. Add cocoa powder, sugar, sea salt, and heavy cream to crock of slow cooker. Mix vigorously until dry ingredients are dissolved and mixture is uniform.

2. Add milk and peppermint extract and stir until uniform.

3. Cover and allow to cook for about two hours on high or four hours on low.

4. Stir before serving and enjoy carefully.