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Crowd-Pleasing Slow Cooker Salted Caramel Hot Chocolate

Crowd-Pleasing Slow Cooker Salted Caramel Hot Chocolate - featured image
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This rich, velvety slow cooker hot chocolate combines semi-sweet and dark chocolate with caramel and a touch of sea salt for the perfect crowd-pleasing drink. With just five minutes of prep, your slow cooker does the work, making it ideal for holiday parties, cookie exchanges, or cozy gatherings.

Ingredients

Scale
  • 6 cups whole milk
  • 2 cups heavy cream
  • 2 cups semi-sweet chocolate chips
  • 1 cup dark chocolate chips
  • 1 cup caramel sauce (store-bought or homemade)
  • 1 teaspoon vanilla extract (pure)
  • 1/4 teaspoon fine sea salt
  • Flaky sea salt (for garnish, like Maldon)
  • Whipped cream (optional, for serving)
  • Extra caramel drizzle (optional, for serving)
  • Mini marshmallows (optional, for serving)

Instructions

  1. Prep your slow cooker: Spray the inside with non-stick cooking spray or wipe with butter for easy cleanup.
  2. Add the milk and cream: Pour in 6 cups whole milk and 2 cups heavy cream. Stir to combine.
  3. Add the chocolate chips: Pour in semi-sweet and dark chocolate chips. Let them sit on top without stirring for a few minutes to soften.
  4. Add the caramel and salt: Drizzle in caramel sauce and sprinkle 1/4 teaspoon fine sea salt. Stir gently with a whisk until combined.
  5. Cook on low for 2 hours: Set slow cooker to low. After 90 minutes, whisk to incorporate any chocolate that has settled.
  6. Add the vanilla: After 2 hours, stir in vanilla extract. The hot chocolate should be smooth, glossy, and steaming.
  7. Taste and adjust: Add more caramel for sweetness or a pinch more salt if desired.
  8. Keep warm for serving: Switch slow cooker to ‘warm’ setting. Stir every 30 minutes. Serve ladled into mugs with garnishes like whipped cream, extra caramel drizzle, flaky sea salt, and mini marshmallows.

Notes

For a dairy-free version, use full-fat oat milk and canned coconut cream instead of heavy cream, and dairy-free chocolate chips. For a spiked adult version, add 1/2 cup bourbon, dark rum, or Baileys Irish Cream after cooking. Leftovers keep in the refrigerator for up to 3 days and can be frozen for up to 2 months. Reheat gently on the stovetop or in the microwave, adding a splash of milk if too thick.

Nutrition

Keywords: slow cooker hot chocolate, salted caramel hot chocolate, crockpot hot chocolate, hot chocolate for a crowd, holiday drink, party drink, chocolate caramel drink

Find it online: https://fizzlefork.com/crowd-pleasing-slow-cooker-salted-caramel-hot-chocolate/