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. The best part, you’ll need just 5 minutes of hands-on preparation and simple ingredients to make it.Recipe can be scaled up or down by using the slider if you hover your mouse over the number of Servings.
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.
Add Remaining Ingredients: Next, add the condensed milk, vanilla, white chocolate chunks or chips, maple syrup, salt, cloves, star anise, cinnamon sticks, allspice, and any optional spices to the crockpot. Then whisk the ingredients again until fully combined. (Note: if you are wanting to use alcohol in this recipe, DO NOT it yet!).
Cover and Slow Cook: Cover the crock pot and cook on LOW for 45 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 ½ to 2 hours, stopping and stirring the hot white chocolate every 45 minutes to prevent the chocolate chips from scorching on the bottom of the slow cooker. (Tip: If you want to hold the hot chocolate and save it for later, turn the slow cooker to the WARM setting and make sure you stir occasionally.)
Taste and Adjust: Uncover the vanilla chocolate and give it a good stir. If using alcohol, add it into the slow cooker now. Taste the white hot chocolate and adjust for taste, adding more maple syrup for sweetness, or kosher salt to enhance overall flavor. (Optional: While entirely optional, if you like a super creamy, frothy white cocoa, use an immersion blender or milk frother to blend the hot white cocoa right in the slow cooker.)
Ladle, Garnish, and Serve: Once the hot white chocolate is perfect flavored to your liking, use a ladle to transfer the white cocoa drink to insulated mugs. Finally, top your rich and white chocolatey drink with mini and regular marshmallows, a few shakes of sprinkles and ground cinnamon, a generous drizzle of salted caramel sauce, and a few dollops of whipped cream, if using. Enjoy!
Notes
Whole Ingredients: If you're serving little ones, I recommend making a sachet pouch out of cheesecloth and adding the whole cloves and star anise pods to the pouch (secure it closed with kitchen twine) - this will prevent someone from accidentally swallowing them whole.
Recipe Variations: I will always encourage you to make a recipe YOUR OWN. Below are a few ideas to help inspire:
Boozy Twist: If you’re looking for an extra cozy cup of white cocoa, add some white chocolate liqueur and vanilla vodka to the white hot chocolate in the slow cooker (start with a 3/4 cup total addition). Or try caramel vodka and Baileys salted caramel Irish Cream, or simply add a shot of Kahlua if that’s what you have on hand.
Caramel White Chocolate Delight: Swap out the white chocolate for white chocolate with caramel flavor. (This is my all time favorite variation - I typically use 2 bars of caramel white chocolate and one bar of white chocolate.)
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: Simply switch to a creamy “barista blend” plant-based milk product, like oat, soy, almond, or coconut milk.
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.
Storage: Let hot vanilla cocoa cool completely to room temperature before storing in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 3-4 days.
Nutritional information is provided as a courtesy and the nutrition facts are an estimate based upon 8 servings. Exact information will depend upon the brands of ingredients and precise measurements used.