This past weekend my husband Clif had an actual Saturday off from work so we thought it would be a good idea to spend an hour on Saturday morning bundling up the kids in snowsuits, coats, warm hats, mittens and snow boots to take them all sledding. If you have kids, you know how much work is involved in getting out the door once cold weather hits. Somedays it's just no fun at all but if our agenda is to head to our nearest giant snow-laden hill than we are cool with it. This was our first sledding adventure this winter if you can believe it. We finally had a big snowfall here in Illinois last week and the snow was just perfect for sledding and building snowman.
Before we headed out the door I made my favorite hot chocolate in my crockpot so when we came back from our snowy day out it would be ready and waiting for us to warm up our bellies. I don't know about you but my kids immediately ask for hot chocolate the minute they come in from playing out in the cold. If you have never made hot chocolate in a crockpot you must! It is so nice to come home and have a warm cup of chocolatey goodness just waiting for you after you spent a good 20 minutes getting everyone out of their snow gear...just one less thing to do!
I love this recipe because it makes really creamy hot chocolate and it used 3 types of chocolate so the (pregnant) chocolate lover in me is satisfied. I hope you love it too and make some before your next cold-weather gathering!
Crockpot Hot Chocolate (serves 4-6)
1/4 cup unsweetened cocoa powder
1/3 cup sugar
1/4 tsp salt
3/4 tsp vanilla
3 cups milk
1 cup heavy cream
1 tbsp white chocolate chips
1 tbsp semi-sweet chocolate chips
whipped cream
mini chocolate chips for serving
Combine the cocoa powder, sugar, and salt together in your crockpot. I used my mini crockpot to make this! Add in the milk and whisk everything together until smooth and well-combined. Cover and cook on low for 2 hours. After 2 hours, add in the heavy cream, white and semi-sweet chocolate chips. Stir until chips are melted. After about 10 minutes, pour into mugs and serve with a dollop of whipped cream and a sprinkle of mini chocolate chips. Enjoy!
First up, grab 1/4 cup of unsweetened cocoa powder and add it to your crockpot. I used my little 'mini' crockpot, the one you usually use for warm dips, I find it is just perfect for this recipe.
Then add in 1/3 cup of white granulated sugar.
And a 1/4 teaspoon of salt.
Pour in 3 cups of milk, any variety will do although the more milk fat the creamier your hot chocolate will be...and more fattening...but hey, this is hot chocolate and it is winter so it's worth it! I personally like to go with 1% as we will be adding in heavy cream a bit later ;-)
Grab your whisk and whisk all that goodness up....Yum! Place the cover back on your crockpot and cook on LOW for about 2 hours. Now, go sledding!
After 2 hours your hot chocolate will look a little like this...frothy on top!
Now go ahead and pour in 1 cup of heavy cream...
And add in your tablespoon each of white and semi-sweet chocolate chips. Who's hips are getting fat just thinking about this?
Stir it all up until those chips are melted. Wait about 10 minutes for the cream to warm up a bit and then ladle it out dude.
I love serving it with whipped cream and mini chocolate chips, my kids love it this way. I think it has to do with the thought of more candy getting into their bellies. Of course whatever your favorite toppings and add-ins you enjoy are perfect too.
Mmm...one for me and one for you.
Enjoy....and stay warm out there!
XOXO,