Slow Cooker Peppermint Mocha Hot Cocoa (low carb options)
This Slow Cooker Peppermint Mocha Hot Cocoa features ultra rich hot chocolate spiked with peppermint extract and espresso!
Today I’m sharing one of my favorite holiday hacks, slow cooker hot chocolate! There is simply no better way to welcome loved ones into your home than with a piping hot cup of rich hot cocoa! By making this recipe in the slow cooker you can keep it warm for hours and allow your guests to serve themselves!
Just set up a quick little DIY hot chocolate bar with tops of toppings, festive mugs, spoons and napkins and you have the makings of a day they won’t soon forget!
Ingredients Needed for Slow Cooker Hot Cocoa
- Cocoa Powder
- Chocolate Chips: traditional or Lily’s sugar free for a keto friendly option
- Sweetener: traditional sugar or monkfruit for a low carb, keto friendly option
- Unsweetened Bakers Chocolate
- Vanilla extract
- Peppermint extract
- Heavy Cream
- Milk
- Espresso or very strongly brewed coffee
How do you make Peppermint Hot Cocoa?
This is truly the easiest recipe ever. You don’t need to spend a ton of time prepping or standing over this recipe. Simply combine all of the ingredients in a slow cooker, set the temperature too low and cover. Be sure to whisk the mixture every 20 minutes or so the first hour, that is about how long it takes to warm through and melt the chocolate.
Will hot cocoa burn in the crock pot?
If you are worried your hot chocolate will burn or curdle in the crock pot, don’t be. The temperature is kept on low, and you will be whisking the mixture occasionally. The hot chocolate will not get hot enough to burn or curdle, it will just be warm enough to enjoy with marshmallows and whipped cream!
Do I have to add the coffee?
No, you do not. If you prefer traditional hot chocolate simply leave out the peppermint extract and espresso for a delicious, rich drink. Alternatively, if you want a Peppermint Hot Cocoa, use the peppermint extract and skip the coffee only.
Can you make Keto Slow Cooker Hot Chocolate?
Of course! I have included recipe notes to make this amazing slow cooker hot chocolate low carb and keto friendly. Keep in mind the only changes you need to make are to use a keto friendly sweetener such as monkfruit, sugar free chocolate chips, such as Lily’s and almond milk in place of regular milk. Easy peasy!
What are some other holiday recipes?
If you are looking for other ways to simplify your holiday to do list I have several easy recipes that will fit the bill. This easy Overnight Breakfast Casserole is prepped the night before. Simply pop in the oven for about an hour the next morning and you have a hearty casserole that will feed a crowd! Some other recipes include:
- Low Carb Crock Pot Candy: this recipe makes about 50 pieces of candy, so great for a party or gifting.
- Cheesecake Stuffed Strawberries: always a hit at any party!
- Low Carb Peppermint Bark: keto friendly and great for gifting!
Get the Recipe: Slow Cooker Peppermint Mocha Hot Cocoa
Ingredients
- 1/4 cup unsweetened cocoa powder
- 1 cup chocolate chips or Lily's Sugar Free if low carb
- 1/2 cup granular sugar or monkfruit if low carb
- 2 ounces unsweetened Bakers chocolate, finely chopped
- 1 tablespoon vanilla extract
- 1 teaspoon peppermint extract
- 1 cup heavy cream
- 6 cups milk or almond milk if low carb
- 4 shots espresso or 1/2 cup strongly brewed coffee
Equipment
Instructions
- Combine all of the ingredients in the slow cooker, set the temperature to low and cover.
- Allow the mixture to warm for about 1 hour, wisking every 20 minutes.
- Serve when the mixture is warmed through.
- Garnish with your favorite toppings.
Looks like perfection in a mug! Delish!
Thanks Melanie!
All I want this time of year is cocoa. Love this idea of putting it in the slow cooker to just keep going back for more! Where is this grocery store you speak of with a Starbucks and cart cup holders?!!! Jealous!
Peppermint mocha’s from Starbucks are one of my favourites at this time of year too! But yes, so expensive, so I really have to force myself to ignore that lovely smell at the store! This version looks fantastic Annie!
This looks so delicious! I love the idea of a hot cocoa bar for the holidays 🙂
This peppermint mocha cocoa looks delicious! Love the flavours, so perfect! 😀
You have some serious will power! Coffee and chocolate are my weakness too, add in peppermint and I’m a goner… This peppermint mocha coffee is PERFECT for a party (or just for me). Pinned!
I’m trying to cut back on my coffee shop spending, too. This homemade peppermint mocha hot cocoa looks just as amazing as anything Starbucks has to offer, and I love that I don’t have to leave my house to enjoy it! I’m loving all of your slow cooker recipes, Annie!
Oh my, I totally hear ya on trying to resist that Starbucks temptation! This looks so delicious and way better since I don’t have to leave my home. I love peppermint mocha and making it in the slow cooker is such a great idea!
I love cocoa made in the slow cooker! This one looks especially good! Pinning!
Shopping carts without cupholders are the worst ever. Though they probably save me a ton of money! Lol. Peppermint mocha is probably my favorite winter drink ever — love this slow cooker version!
I love Starbuck’s holiday drinks, but holy cow are they expensive! Love that you made this version at home and it makes so much! Slow cookers are one of the greatest inventions ever. I need to find a reason to make this now 😉
Haha, that’s too funny–they just got cup holders at my Target recently. I was like, “This is the coolest thing!” This Slow Cooker Peppermint Mocha Cocoa also looks super cool! I don’t make drinks in my slow cooker as often as I should. 🙂
I cringe everytime I walk into Starbucks and order a ridiculously expensive drink! I’m loving that you made your own peppermint mocha cocoa! Such a great idea to make it in the slow cooker, too. Sounds like this would be perfect to serve on Christmas!
oh yes…this looks amazing
Hot cocoa makes me happy this time of the year. I love the peppermint flavor! It doesn’t get any better when you can heat it in the slow cooker too!
Peppermint mochas are my weakness this time of year! Pretty much every time I walk into Starbucks I end up ordering one. Whoooops. 🙂 I love that you combined it with hot cocoa! Perfect match for sure. 😉
What a great idea, Annie! Coffee and chocolate pair so well together! What a fabulous idea! Thanks Annie! Have a wonderful (and restful) holiday!
I’d much rather make my own drinks because most of the time Starbuck’s makes them too sweet, or too much milk, etc. It’s never just right, and for all that money, it’s just not right. This sounds great, and I love that you can make it in a crock pot! 🙂
I have a love/hate relationship with the grocery store starbucks. They rock … but they totally don’t 🙂 My wallet and my waistline are struggling as is! 😉 Loving this homemade version, especially since it’s slow cooker. Perfect for Christmas when everything is already being used. Pinned! And Merry Christmas Annie!
Perfect! and what a brilliant idea to make it in a slow cooker! 🙂 Happy Holidays!
Annie, I SO understand this inner conflict – I have to mentally prepare myself to walk away whenever I see a Starbucks sign 😀 Love this copycat recipe – it’s so much better and cheaper to make those drinks at home!
HAHA! Buggie! I cracked up reading this post because I went to school in Charleston and before that, I’d never called it a buggie or even heard that. I totally agree though about making this at home and sometimes it’s even better 🙂 Happy Holidays Annie!
I just tried my first crockpot hot chocolate last night. This one sounds so good too!