White Hot Chocolate: Creamy-Dreamy White Cocoa

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If you’re looking for the best cup of cozy, white-chocolatey bliss, look no further than this White Hot Chocolate in the Slow Cooker! Made with two types of white chocolate, sweet maple syrup, pure vanilla extract, and warming cinnamon, this recipe for hot white cocoa is crafted for the white chocolate lover in your house. Skip the mix, you’ll need just 5 minutes of hands-on preparation and simple ingredients to make this creamy-dreamy white cocoa.

If you’re a lover of hot chocolatey drinks, be sure to try this ultra-decadent hot chocolate with cocoa powder too!

About this white hot chocolate recipe

Making white hot cocoa in the crock pot or slow cooker is your ticket to a culinary world where rich, creamy decadence meets simplicity and convenience. Here’s why this simple crockpot white cocoa will become a family favorite during the cooler months:

• Simple and Easy: Requiring just 5 minutes of preparation, this fuss-free easy white hot chocolate recipe is perfect anytime you want a sweet treat. Simply add the ingredients to your slow cooker and let the crock pot do all the work.
• Layered White Chocolate Nirvana: Using two types of white chocolate with a combination of milk, heavy cream, sweetened condensed milk, and warming, inviting spices creates the riches, most decadent white cocoa you could ever imagine. Just prepare yourself for hot cocoa greatness!
• Easy to Customize: Whether you like classic cocoa, like Starbucks white hot chocolate, or not-so-kid-friendly boozy cocoa, this recipe has got something for everyone! I encourage you to experiment with different spices, extracts, and even liqueurs if you’re feeling adventurous.
• Perfect for Entertaining and Holidays: I love serving a big batch of homemade cocoa at parties, but let’s get real – who has the time? Well, now you do! The slow cooker and this super simple white hot cocoa recipe are your ticket to spreading the white chocolatey love, one cup at a time. 😉

Ingredients for hot chocolate white

• Whole Milk – Using whole milk ensures your crockpot white hot chocolate has a creamy body.
  • Sub: Use any full-fat, creamy plant-based milk instead. I often use oat milk or almond milk. You’re also welcome to swap in 2% milk if you prefer; however, please note it will affect the mouthfeel.
• Heavy Cream – Cream gives this cocoa a thick body and exceptionally rich mouthfeel.
  • Sub: Swap in slightly lighter whipping cream, which can range from 30-36% milkfat. Alternatively, use vegan whipping cream or coconut cream if you need.
• Sweetened White Chocolate Powder – You can find this online and at specialty grocers.
  • Sub: You can swap in vanilla powder, which is made from vanilla beans, while white chocolate powder is made from cocoa butter, sugar, and vanilla. However, please note your white chocolate hot drink won’t be quite as creamy.
• Sweetened Condensed Milk – A can of this pantry staple lends a delightful trifecta of sweetness, creaminess, and beautiful viscosity.
  • Sub: Swap in vegan condensed milk if you need to.
• Pure Vanilla Extract – For inviting warmth.
  • Sub: Swap for an equal amount of vanilla paste, or half as much ground vanilla bean.
• White Chocolate – Use a good-quality brand of white chocolate. I use Lindt white chocolate bars, but Guittard or ghirardelli white chocolate chips work too.
  • Sub: I typically do 2/3 white chocolate chunks and 1/3 swiss white chocolate with caramel flavor. The combination is truly extraordinary!!
• Pure Maple Syrup – You’ll need just 2 tablespoons for cozy sweetness.
  • Sub: Feel free to use honey if you prefer.
• Spices and Seasonings: To round out your white-hot cocoa you’ll need a little kosher salt for overall flavor, cinnamon sticks for comforting warmth, allspice for slightly peppery, savory flavor, and star anise for complex sweetness

Recipe variations

Whether you’re looking to add a boozy twist or need to accommodate a dietary preference, there are numerous ways you can easily customize this white hot cocoa slow cooker recipe. Here are a few tasty ideas to make this the absolute best hot chocolate with white chocolate in all the land:

• Caramel White Chocolate Delight: Swap out the white chocolate for white chocolate with caramel flavor. Garnish your cup of cocoa with salted caramel sauce, mini marshmallows, crushed graham crackers, and a sprinkle of cinnamon sugar. You’ll be amazed at how just flavorful and inviting a cup of white cocoa can be!
• Pumpkin Spice or Apple Spice: Add a teaspoon (or more) of pumpkin spice or apple pie spice for a cozy cup of cocoa especially perfect for a cold day.
• Vegan and Dairy Free Cocoa: Embrace the creamy sweetness without any unpleasant lactose-related side effects. Simply switch to a creamy “barista blend” plant-based milk product, like oat, soy, almond, or coconut milk.
• Boozy, Spiked Twist: If you’re looking for an extra cozy cup of white cocoa, add a splash or two of white chocolate liqueur and vanilla vodka to the white hot chocolate in the slow cooker. Or try a splash of caramel vodka and Baileys salted caramel Irish Cream or simply a shot of Kahlua if that’s what you have on hand.
• Coffee Cocoa: Need a little pick-me-up? Add a shot of espresso or strong brewed coffee to create a white hot cocoa drink that will put some pep in your step.

How to make hot chocolate with white chocolate

This sweet and smooth hot white chocolate is incredibly simple to make thanks to the trusty crock pot or slow cooker. Here’s how:

1. Stir Milk, Cream, and White Chocolate Powder: To the insert of a slow cooker or crock pot, add the milk, cream, and white powder. Then use a whisk and stir all the ingredients together until smooth and thoroughly combined.
2. Add Remaining Ingredients: Next, whisk in the condensed milk, vanilla, white chocolate chunks or chips, maple syrup, salt, cinnamon sticks, cloves, allspice, star anise, and any optional spices into the hot chocolate mixture in the crockpot.
3. Cover and Slow Cook: Cover and cook on LOW for 30 minutes. Remove the lid and give the hot vanilla chocolate a good stir. Return the lid and continue to cook the hot white cocoa for 1 and ½ hours, stopping and stirring the hot white chocolate every 45 minutes to prevent the chocolate from scorching on the bottom of the slow cooker
4. Taste and Adjust: Uncover the vanilla hot cocoa and give it a good stir. If using alcohol, add it into the slow cooker now. Taste and adjust for flavor, adding more maple syrup for sweetness, or kosher salt to enhance overall flavor
5. Ladle, Garnish, and Serve: Once the white cocoa is perfect flavored, use a ladle to transfer the white chocolate hot drink to insulated mugs. Finally, top your rich and white chocolatey cocoa with mini and regular marshmallows, a few shakes of ground cinnamon, a generous drizzle of salted caramel sauce, and a few dollops of whipped cream, if using. Enjoy!

Expert tips for the best hot cocoa white chocolate

Here are some pro-tips and tricks to help you make the most delicious slow cooker white chocolate hot cocoa drink ever:

• Safety First. While not required, I recommend making a sachet pouch out of cheesecloth and twice. Placing the star anise and cloves inside the sachet will prevent someone from accidentally swallowing them!
• Quality Matters:The quality of white chocolate hot cocoa you use will make a world of difference. Select high-quality chocolate bars or chips for a more luxurious, rich taste. It makes sense: the better the chocolate, the better the hot vanilla cocoa.
• Slow and Steady: Resist the urge to crank up the heat on your slow cooker. Low and slow is the key to ensuring the white chocolates don’t burn and ensures that all the ingredients meld together smoothly.
• Stir Occasionally:While the slow cooker does most of the work, giving your hot cocoa white chocolate a good stir every now and then helps to blend the flavors and textures, ensuring a silky-smooth consistency.
• Froth It: If you have a milk frother or immersion blender, I highly recommend using it here. Give the white hot chocolate a blitz before serving for the most frothy, luscious white cocoa experience.
• Prep Your Mugs:Warm your coffee mugs before serving by pouring in some boiling water or warming them in the oven. This small step keeps the white cocoa warm longer and adds an extra touch of coziness to the experience.
• Don’t Forget the Toppings:A dollop of whipped cream, a drizzle of caramel sauce, or a handful of sprinkles on top can take your crockpot white cocoa from delicious to divine. These toppings add texture and enhance the overall flavor.

FAQs: frequently asked questions

What is the difference between white hot chocolate and white chocolate chip hot cocoa?

Generally speaking, white hot chocolate typically uses white chocolate bars, cocoa butter, white chocolate powder, or a combination of two. On the other hand, white chocolate chip hot cocoa typically just uses white chocolate chips; however, it can also include a touch of cocoa butter.

This white chocolate cocoa recipe uses a combination of sweetened white chocolate powder and white chocolate bars or chips, which technically classifies this drink as a “hot chocolate”.

What type of white chocolate should I use?

I recommend using a high-quality brand of white chocolate bars with a high cocoa butter content for the smoothest, richest white chocolate hot cocoa.

What can I add to my hot white chocolate for extra flavor?

Honestly, the sky is the limit when it comes to customizing this white hot cocoa recipe. I recommend checking out the recipe variations I list above. However, some tasty additions include almond extract, ground nutmeg, liquors like vanilla vodka, and liqueurs like white chocolate cream liqueur.

Serving white hot chocolate

This slow cooker white cocoa recipe is superb on its own, but I’ve got a few serving suggestions if you’re looking to take your cup of comfort to the next level:

• Classic Comfort: Go classic and serve this luxurious white chocolate hot drink in your favorite mugs and top with a generous swirl of whipped cream or a homemade marshmallow. It’s a classic for a reason!
• DIY Cocoa Bar: Set up a DIY white hot cocoa bar for family gatherings or parties. Lay out various toppings like crushed graham crackers, sprinkles, candy canes, mini marshmallows, cinnamon sticks, white chocolate sauce or caramel sauce, and flavored dessert syrups. Don’t forget different stir-ins like hazelnut spreads. Let everyone have fun creating their unique, Instagram-able white cocoa masterpiece!
• Adults-Only Version: For an adult gathering, offer plenty of options to spike their hot white cocoa alongside all the delightful toppings.
• Pair with Eggs, Breakfast Treats, or Pastries: Up the cozy factor by pairing it with eggs and delicious pastries. Think breakfast egg muffin, eggs with avocado, coffee mug cakes, cinnamon sugar donuts, powdered sugar donut holes, or cream cheese danishes. The combination of warm vanilla cocoa and sweet treats is a match made in heaven.
• Try it with Cookies or Confections: Same concept applies to cookies and desserts. I particularly love this rich white vanilla cocoa with almond sugar cookies, white chocolate macadamia cookies, white chocolate chex mix, or cake bites.
• Hot Cocoa Float: Add a scoop of vanilla, caramel, or butter pecan ice cream to your hot white chocolate for a decadent twist on an Italian affogato. The warmth of the cocoa with the cool creaminess of ice cream is super dreamy.

Storing white chocolate hot cocoa

• Let the white cocoa cool completely to room temperature before storing in an airtight container.
• Place in the fridge and store for up to 3-4 days.
• You can also store this vanilla hot chocolate in the freezer for up to 6 months. Try making hot cocoa ice cubes for your next iced coffee fix!
• To reheat, allow to defrost as needed, then gently warm over low heat on the stovetop, in the microwave, or in the crockpot until warm through. Make sure you whisk well as it’s reheating to revive the creamy consistency. (Also, I like to hit it with the immersion blender or milk frother before serving.)

Well, there you have it, friends – a slow cooker hot white chocolate recipe that truly special and mug-nificent! Whether you’re wanting to whip up a batch for a romantic night or ready to entertain friends, this recipe is guaranteed to please. So, grab your slow cooker or crock pot and get your white chocolate chug on.

Until next time, stay cozy! Cheers!

Cheyanne

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More drinks with white chocolate!

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