Chocolate Covered Cherry Hot Chocolate
Jan 16, 2025Updated Feb 13, 2025
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This Slow Cooker Chocolate Covered Cherry Hot Chocolate blends rich chocolate and sweet cherries into the ultimate indulgence. It’s perfect for any celebration, but it’s an especially sweet treat for Valentine’s Day!😍
You may also like my slow cooker Nutella hot chocolate or slow cooker hot buttered rum coffee.

Table of Contents
I have many hot chocolate recipes on the website, but this one is very special! The cherry flavor with the chocolate is a treat and your guests won’t expect it. We love recipes with maraschino cherries (try my slow cooker cherry chip cake), it would be great with this cocoa recipe too!
What you need:
This Slow Cooker Chocolate Covered Cherry Hot Chocolate is a cozy treat packed with delicious ingredients. It starts with creamy whole milk and rich semi-sweet chocolate chips for a perfectly smooth base. The star of the show is a jar of maraschino cherries, juice and all, adding that sweet cherry flavor that pairs perfectly with chocolate. (You can find maraschino cherries on the canned fruit aisle usually on the top shelf). A little cocoa powder and sugar bring it all together. Top it off with whipped cream and extra cherries for a fun and festive finish—perfect for sipping and sharing! 🍒☕
Variations
- You can substitute whole milk or half-and-half—even nonfat milk will work in a pinch, but it won’t be as creamy.
- Dark chocolate chips are a great option, but taste the cocoa before serving and decide if more sugar is needed.
- Luxardo cherries (the darker Marciano cherry). These are a great option, if you don’t want food coloring. (Find Luxardo cherries here)
- You can use grenadine if you don’t have enough cherry juice.
- Add the chocolate chips, sugar, maraschino cherries, and cocoa powder to the slow cooker.
- Pour in the milk. Stir.
- Cook on HIGH for 2 hours or until hot. The cherry flavor comes out better if the cocoa is heated to a high temperature.
Serving ideas
- Aerosol whipped cream makes a light and creamy topping for this hot chocolate.
- You can also drizzle it with chocolate sauce (or cherry juice) and garnish with extra maraschino cherries for a sweet and festive touch.
- Marshmallows are another classic option, melting perfectly into the warm drink for added coziness.
Recipe FAQs
Yes, you can double this recipe in a 6 quart slow cooker.
You can store the hot chocolate in the fridge for up 5 days. Or freezer for up to 2 months. Best choice for reheating is in the microwave or in a saucepan on the stove.
More hot chocolate recipes:
- Slow Cooker Hot Chocolate (classic)
- White Christmas Hot Chocolate
- Slow Cooker Boozy Hot Chocolate
- Slow Cooker Pumpkin Spice Hot Chocolate
Slow Cooker Chocolate Covered Cherry Hot Chocolate
Ingredients
- ½ gallon whole milk
- 11 oz. semi-sweet chocolate chips
- 12 oz. jar maraschino cherries, juice and all (this is about 23 cherries and 3/4 cup juice).
- ⅓ cup unsweetened cocoa powder
- ¼ cup sugar
FOR SERVING
- whipped cream (canister is fine)
- additional cherries for garnish
Instructions
- Add the whole milk, chocolate chips, the entire jar of cherries (with juice), cocoa powder and sugar. Stir.
- Cook on HIGH For 2 hours. The cherry flavor comes out better if the cocoa is heated to a high temperature.
- Stir and serve with whipped cream and additional cherries for garnish.
How to Video
Sarah’s Notes
- You can substitute whole milk or half-and-half—even nonfat milk will work in a pinch, but it won’t be as creamy.
- Dark chocolate chips are a great option, but taste the cocoa before serving and decide if more sugar is needed.
- Luxardo cherries (the darker Marciano cherry). These are a great option, if you don’t want food coloring. (Find Luxardo cherries here)
- You can use grenadine if you don’t have enough cherry juice.
- Aerosol whipped cream makes a light and creamy topping for this hot chocolate.
- You can also drizzle it with chocolate sauce (or cherry juice) and garnish with extra maraschino cherries for a sweet and festive touch.
- Marshmallows are another classic option, melting perfectly into the warm drink for added coziness.
Nutrition
Nutrition info is auto-generated. This information is an estimate; if you are on a special diet, please use your own calculations.