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Easy Slow Cooker Spiked Hot Chocolate for Fall Parties

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This easy slow cooker spiked hot chocolate is the perfect warm and boozy drink for fall parties. Rich, velvety, and made with simple ingredients, it’s a crowd-pleaser that can be made ahead and kept warm for hours.

Ingredients

Scale
  • 6 cups whole milk
  • 1 cup heavy cream
  • 1 can (14 oz) sweetened condensed milk
  • 1/2 cup unsweetened cocoa powder
  • 4 oz semi-sweet chocolate, finely chopped
  • 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
  • 1/4 teaspoon salt
  • 1 cinnamon stick
  • 1/4 teaspoon nutmeg, freshly grated if possible
  • 1 cup spiced rum OR bourbon
  • Optional: 1/2 cup peppermint schnapps
  • Mini marshmallows or whipped cream for serving
  • Chocolate shavings or cocoa powder for dusting
  • Cinnamon sticks for stirring

Instructions

  1. Prep your slow cooker. Spray the insert lightly with non-stick cooking spray or rub it with a little butter.
  2. Whisk the cocoa powder. In a small bowl, whisk together the 1/2 cup cocoa powder with about 1/2 cup of the whole milk until it forms a smooth paste.
  3. Combine the base. Pour the remaining 5 1/2 cups of whole milk into the slow cooker. Add the sweetened condensed milk, the cocoa paste, the chopped semi-sweet chocolate, the vanilla extract, the salt, and the cinnamon stick. Stir well.
  4. Cook on low. Cover the slow cooker and cook on LOW for 2 to 2 1/2 hours. Do not cook on high. Stir halfway through.
  5. Check the consistency. After 2 hours, the chocolate should be fully melted and the mixture should be smooth and steaming. If too thin, let it go another 30 minutes. If too thick, thin with a splash of milk.
  6. Remove the cinnamon stick. Fish out the cinnamon stick before adding the cream and booze.
  7. Add the heavy cream and spices. Pour in the 1 cup of heavy cream and the freshly grated nutmeg. Stir gently until combined.
  8. Add the booze. Pour in your 1 cup of spiced rum or bourbon. Stir gently. Taste and adjust if desired.
  9. Keep warm. Switch the slow cooker to the WARM setting. This will keep the hot chocolate at the perfect serving temperature for hours without scorching. Stir every hour or so.
  10. Serve. Ladle the hot chocolate into heatproof mugs. Top with mini marshmallows or whipped cream. Dust with cocoa powder or chocolate shavings. Stick a cinnamon stick in each mug for stirring.

Notes

For a dairy-free version, use oat milk or full-fat canned coconut milk and dairy-free heavy cream. For a lower-sugar option, use unsweetened almond milk and replace sweetened condensed milk with 1/4 cup maple syrup or honey. The alcohol can be kept on the side for guests to add to their own mugs. This hot chocolate tastes even better the next day.

Nutrition

Keywords: slow cooker hot chocolate, spiked hot chocolate, fall party drink, bourbon hot chocolate, rum hot chocolate, easy hot chocolate recipe

Find it online: https://cooksyla.com/easy-slow-cooker-spiked-hot-chocolate-for-fall-parties/