Cozy Slow Cooker Salted Caramel Hot Chocolate (Easy)
This slow cooker salted caramel hot chocolate is the kind of recipe that makes you wonder why you ever bothered with the powdered stuff. It’s simple enough to throw together without thinking, but impressive enough that people ask for the recipe.
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 2-3 hours
- Total Time: 2 hours 10 minutes to 3 hours 10 minutes
- Yield: 8 servings 1x
- Category: Beverage
- Cuisine: American
Ingredients
Scale
- 6 cups (1.4 liters) whole milk
- 1 cup (240 ml) heavy cream
- 2 cups (340 grams) semi-sweet chocolate chips
- 1/4 cup (20 grams) unsweetened cocoa powder
- 1/2 cup (100 grams) granulated sugar
- 1/2 cup (160 grams) caramel sauce
- 2 teaspoons (10 ml) vanilla extract
- 1 teaspoon sea salt flakes (plus more for garnish)
- Optional toppings: whipped cream, extra caramel drizzle, more sea salt flakes, chocolate shavings, or marshmallows
Instructions
- Combine the Base: Pour the 6 cups of whole milk and 1 cup of heavy cream into your slow cooker. Turn it on low heat. Let it warm up for about 10 minutes while you prepare the other ingredients.
- Whisk in the Cocoa: In a small bowl, whisk the 1/4 cup of unsweetened cocoa powder with about 1/2 cup of the warm milk mixture from the slow cooker. Make a slurry—this prevents lumps. Pour it back into the slow cooker and whisk to combine.
- Add the Chocolate and Sugar: Stir in the 2 cups of semi-sweet chocolate chips and 1/2 cup of granulated sugar. Whisk until the chocolate starts to melt.
- Incorporate the Caramel and Vanilla: Add the 1/2 cup of caramel sauce and 2 teaspoons of vanilla extract. Stir everything together.
- Slow Cook on Low: Cover the slow cooker and cook on low for 2 to 3 hours. Stir every 30 minutes if possible.
- Season with Salt: About 15 minutes before serving, stir in 1 teaspoon of sea salt flakes. Taste and adjust if desired.
- Serve Warm: Ladle the hot chocolate into mugs. Top with whipped cream, a drizzle of caramel sauce, and a pinch of sea salt flakes. Serve immediately.
Notes
Don’t let the mixture boil; keep on low. Whisk cocoa powder with warm milk first to avoid lumps. Taste and adjust salt level. Keep on warm setting for serving. Doubles easily.
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 8 ounces
- Calories: 320
- Sugar: 30
- Sodium: 220
- Fat: 18
- Saturated Fat: 11
- Carbohydrates: 38
- Fiber: 2
- Protein: 6
Keywords: slow cooker hot chocolate, salted caramel hot chocolate, easy hot chocolate, party drink, winter beverage