Slow Cooker White Christmas Hot Chocolate


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Slow Cooker White Christmas Hot Chocolate is the perfect hot cocoa to serve at a holiday party or enjoy with the kids all winter season long. This delicious drink is so easy to make with just four ingredients; even your kids can do it!

Make a hot chocolate drink bar with a few of my other hot cocoa recipes like this Slow Cooker Pumpkin Spice Hot Chocolate or Slow Cooker Baileys Irish Cream Hot Chocolate.

Hands holding a mug of hot chocolate.
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Why you should make slow cooker white hot chocolate

Starbucks white hot chocolate quickly becomes one of the most popular hot drinks of the season, and rightfully so. But with this homemade white hot chocolate recipe, you can make your own for a fraction of the cost. White chocolate chips are slowly melted with heavy cream, milk, and vanilla in a crock pot for the perfect warm drink to enjoy on a cold day and taste just as good as a coffee shop cocoa.

If you are looking for a cider type recipe, you will LOVE my Warm Christmas Punch Recipe.

Recipe Ingredients

Ingredients for white hot chocolate on a table.
  • White Chocolate Chips: When mixed with other ingredients, completely melted chocolate chips make the perfect drink. You don’t need to add sugar, for the white chocolate chips are already very sweet.
  • Heavy Cream: This is a thickener and will not curdle when heated. The cream also acts as an enrichment of flavor.
  • Whole Milk: Milk helps what would be white chocolate sauce become a creamy beverage that’s not too thick.
  • Vanilla Extract: Adds the perfect vanilla flavor to the white chocolate.

Step-by-Step Directions

4 images showing how to make white hot chocolate in a slow cooker.

Step One – Add white chocolate chips to the bottom of the slow cooker.

Step Two – Pour heavy cream, milk, and vanilla extract and stir.

Step Three – Cook on LOW for 3 hours (stirring halfway through the cooking time).

Step Four – Ladle a scoop or two into mugs and add the toppings of your choice. Serve and enjoy!

overhead shot of warm white hot chocolate.

How to Serve

  • Cocoa toppings have always been the highlight of the drink. I love hearing about the different toppings people like to serve on their white hot chocolate. A few favorites are marshmallows, a dollop of whipped cream, shaved white chocolate to make it a “White Christmas” hot chocolate. This white cocoa is great to serve when watching the movie White Christmas.
  • When it comes to switching up the flavor a bit, you can add a mini candy cane at the bottom of the mug and add a drop of peppermint extract for a minty flavor. Adding a cinnamon stick and a dash of ground cinnamon on top will give you another seasonal taste.
mug of white hot chocolate in front of a slow cooker.

Recipe FAQs

Can I use almond milk instead of whole milk?

Yes. If you prefer almond milk, simply substitute it at a 1:1 ratio.

Can I use half and half instead of heavy cream?

Half and half would usually curdle when warmed; however, because this recipe also uses milk, you should be okay with using it instead of heavy cream and don’t use the high setting on your slow cooker.

How do I keep this beverage warm?

Once cooking time is complete, turn your crock pot to the warm setting. As the beverage gets low, it’s best to turn the pot completely off so the remaining cocoa doesn’t burn.

How do I store leftover cocoa?

Pour any leftover hot chocolate into glass mason jars with secured tops. If you don’t have mason jars, you can use any kind of airtight container. It’s best to allow the drink to cool to a warm temperature, then put it in the fridge.

What is the best way to reheat leftover hot cocoa?

Reheat any leftover white hot chocolate on the stovetop over medium heat.

Mug of white hot chocolate.

More Slow Cooker Hot Chocolate Recipes

overhead shot of warm white hot chocolate.

Slow Cooker White Christmas Hot Chocolate

5 from 28 votes
Prep Time: 5 minutes
Cook Time: 3 hours
Total Time: 3 hours 5 minutes
Servings: 8
A festive white hot chocolate perfect for Christmas. Don't forget the white toppings; marshmallows, whipped cream and white chocolate curls.

Ingredients 
 

  • 12 oz. white chocolate chips
  • 2 cups heavy cream or half & half
  • 5 cups whole milk
  • 1 tsp. vanilla extract

Topping ideas

  • mini marshmallows
  • whipped cream
  • shaved white chocolate

Instructions 

  • In a 4 quart or larger slow cooker add all the ingredients (excluding the toppings) starting with the chocolate chips.
  • Cook on LOW for 3 hours, stirring at least once halfway through cooking.
  • Stir and serve warm, top with whipped cream, mini marshmallows and shave chocolate if desired. Enjoy!

Sarah’s Notes

  • Nutritional values do not include toppings.
  • You can double the recipe if needed for more guests.
  • Once cooking time is complete, turn your crock pot to the warm setting. As the beverage gets low, it’s best to turn the pot completely off so the remaining cocoa doesn’t burn.
  • To store: Pour any leftover hot chocolate into glass mason jars with secured tops. If you don’t have mason jars, you can use any kind of airtight container. It’s best to allow the drink to cool to a warm temperature, then put it in the fridge.

Nutrition

Calories: 524kcal | Carbohydrates: 34g | Protein: 9g | Fat: 40g | Saturated Fat: 25g | Polyunsaturated Fat: 2g | Monounsaturated Fat: 10g | Cholesterol: 94mg | Sodium: 112mg | Potassium: 408mg | Fiber: 0.1g | Sugar: 34g | Vitamin A: 1134IU | Vitamin C: 1mg | Calcium: 312mg | Iron: 0.2mg

Nutrition info is auto-generated. This information is an estimate; if you are on a special diet, please use your own calculations.

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Recipe Rating




29 Comments

  1. Fred says:

    5 stars
    Great hot chocolate. 2 questions. Can milk chocolate bits be substituted for white chocolate and can the hot chocolate be frozen for later use. Thank you

    1. Sarah Olson says:

      You may need to add some sugar if you use milk chocolate bits, white chocolate is much sweeter than milk or dark chocolate.

      1. Fred says:

        Tks for your reply

  2. Fred says:

    The white hot chocolate is great. What can be done to mske it less sweet. Thank you

    1. Sarah Olson says:

      Add a little more milk and a small pinch of salt.

  3. Heather says:

    5 stars
    I am not a huge white chocolate fan but this was very good. I had many complaints on how amazing it was!!!! Definitely a must

  4. Karen says:

    Sugar free version?

    1. Sarah Olson says:

      I’m unsure how to go about that unless you can find sugar free white chocolate chips.

  5. Jules says:

    Can I use evaporated milk instead of heavy cream?

    1. Sarah Olson says:

      If you are used to the taste, I would do more milk instead myself.

  6. Teresa says:

    Could you do this in an insta pot and how would that work?

    1. Sarah Olson says:

      I’m worried that it would get too hot for hot chocolate. I personally would use the sear button and stir often, then set to warm for the party.

  7. Anonymous says:

    What about a milk substitute. Can not have dairy.

    1. Sarah Olson says:

      I have not tested it, but I’m sure you could use your favorite non-dairy alternative.

  8. Gloria J Bienek says:

    WHAT ABOUT The Addition of eggnog & at what point? Leaving out What Other Ingredient??

    1. Sarah Olson says:

      Really hard to say without testing it, though I think if you just do half milk and half egg nog (at the beginning) it would be good!

  9. LaurieHempstead says:

    Have you tried adding espresso? It’s on my “to do” list, yum!

    1. Sarah Olson says:

      Iโ€™m sure it would work well!

  10. Joyce says:

    5 stars
    Cannot wait to make the white hot chocolate.