White Hot Chocolate

The perfect winter treat, especially during the holidays! This Slow Cooker or Stovetop White Hot Chocolate is rich, creamy and a great alternative to traditional hot cocoa! 

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This recipe was photographed and updated 10/2022. 

I was today years old when I learned that while hot chocolate and hot cocoa are terms that are used interchangeably, they are actually two separate types of drinks! Hot chocolate is made from melted bars of chocolate containing cocoa, sugar, and cocoa butter. It is then mixed with milk, water, or cream. Hot cocoa, on the other hand, is made with cocoa powder, which is dried and ground cocoa solids. Natural cocoa powder has an acidic, bitter taste with a concentrated chocolate flavor. It’s what’s left after you press cocoa butter out of cocoa beans. Most of the hot cocoa mixes you see on supermarket shelves are alkalized to help it mix better, and contain added sugar and milk powder.

So basically hot cocoa is made from what is left when the ingredients for hot chocolate are taken out of the cocoa bean. Both are still pretty tasty. The preference is in the thickness and the level of chocolate flavor. 

For this recipe, thick, chocolatey goodness that isn't too overpowering is exactly what we need for the perfect winter treat. Especially during the holidays, this Slow Cooker or Stovetop White Hot Chocolate is rich, creamy and great for warming up after ice skating or playing outside. 

Everyone will be raving about this amazing hot chocolate! My sister in law first made this a few years ago for Christmas and I totally fell in love. This isn’t Starbucks' white hot chocolate, but it's a great at home replacement that I can have anytime, rain or snow, while skipping the hassle of a drive thru. 

We make smaller batches for a night at home on the stovetop, but we double or even triple the batch and make it in the slow cooker for holiday drinks with the family.

This hot chocolate is smooth, creamy and so unique. It has a touch of vanilla which makes each sip a warm treat. 

It's such a family friendly party drink that when we make it we even include a hot chocolate bar with toppings like marshmallows, freshly whipped cream, sprinkles, cinnamon, and even crushed up candy canes. You could even spike it for the adults with your favorite creamy liquor. 

The prep is so fast for the slow cooker and when making it on the stovetop, it's ready in just a few minutes! 

Keep scrolling for tips, process photos, additional holiday drink recipes and more! 

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What are the ingredients in this recipe?

• milk
• white chocolate chips
• vanilla extract
• whipped cream, crushed candy canes, marshmallows, sprinkles, for garnish (optional)

How to make:

Scroll down to the printable recipe card for measurements and instructions!

Recipe tips:

• We usually double or triple this recipe when using the slow cooker and serve it for parties or the holidays.

• This hot white chocolate will thicken upon cooling. If a film forms on the top of the liquid in the pan, turn the heat back on low and whisk until smooth again.

More holiday drink recipes you might like:

• Christmas Sorbet Punch
• Mocha Eggnog
• Creamy Sugar Cookie Christmas Cocktail
• Christmas Margarita
• Golden Swirl Cranberry Apple Cocktail
• Christmas Punch
• Cranberry Mojito

You can add or substitute with these ingredients:

• use bars of white or vanilla baking chocolate instead of chips. Chop roughly before adding to the saucepan with the rest of the ingredients to ensure that the chocolate melts evenly. 

• replace 1-2 cups of the milk with heavy cream or half & half for a thicker consistency.

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Our favorite kitchen supplies used with this recipe:

• OXO Good Grips 2-Piece Silicone Whisk Set
• Hamilton Beach Portable 6-Quart Set & Forget Digital Programmable Slow Cooker
• OXO Good Grips 7-Piece Nesting Measuring Beaker Set
• White Paper Hot Cups

I hope you enjoy this recipe as much as we did!

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Yield 4 servings

Author Hot Eats and Cool Reads

Prep time

5 Min

Cook time

5 Min

Total time

10 Min

Slow Cooker or Stovetop White Hot Chocolate

Ingredients

• 4 cups milk
• 1 1/2 cups white chocolate chips
• 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
• whipped cream, crushed candy canes, marshmallows, sprinkles, for garnish (optional)

Instructions

1. Stovetop:
2. In a saucepan over medium heat, combine all of the ingredients.
3. Cook, whisking constantly, until the white chocolate chips are completely melted and all of the ingredients have become silky smooth.
4. Ladle equally into four mugs and top as desired before serving.
5. Slow Cooker:
6. Place all ingredients in a slow cooker.
7. Cover and cook on low for 2- 2 1/2 hours stirring occasionally until chips are melted.

Notes

We usually double or triple this recipe when using the slow cooker and serve it for parties or the holidays.

This hot white chocolate will thicken upon cooling. If a film forms on the top of the liquid in the pan, turn the heat back on low and whisk until smooth again.

Nutrition Facts

Calories

513.12

Fat

29.48

Sat. Fat

17.64

Carbs

51.48

Fiber

0.14

Net carbs

51.35

Sugar

51.7

Protein

11.96

Sodium

153.56

Cholesterol

43.45

Hot Eats and Cool Reads is not responsible for the outcome of any recipe you try from this blog/website. You may not always have the same results I do due to variations in ingredients, humidity, altitude, cooking temperatures, typos, errors, omissions, or individual cooking abilities. 

You are solely responsible for ensuring that any nutritional information provided is accurate, complete, and useful. I am not a certified nutritionist and make no claims to the contrary. Each individual's dietary needs and restrictions are unique to the individual.

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