The only thing better than a big batch of rich, velvety hot chocolate in wintertime is one that stays warm hours after making—like Crock-Pot hot chocolate! This recipe skips the stovetop entirely—just add the ingredients to the slow cooker, head out for a walk (or a snowball fight!) then come back to a perfect mug of cocoa. One brilliant trick to keep the hot chocolate lump-free: Stir together the cocoa powder and sugar first, before adding the wet ingredients. Spike grown-up servings with Irish cream liqueur and add extra marshmallows for the kids (and kids at heart).
What’s the difference between semisweet and bittersweet chocolate?
Both semisweet and bittersweet are dark types of chocolate. Semisweet is a little sweeter, with about 60% cocoa to milk and sugar in the bar. Bittersweet is less sweet, with about 70% cocoa. Skip milk chocolate as a substitute here—it doesn’t have the strong flavor needed to balance out the sugar, milk, and cream in this recipe.
What heat should be used for Crock-Pot hot chocolate?
Stick to low heat for this Crock-Pot recipe; high heat could scald the milk and cream. Remember to turn your slow cooker to the warm setting once the hot cocoa is ready.
Why add instant espresso to hot chocolate?
Instant espresso or instant coffee makes chocolate taste more chocolatey—why it’s often added to chocolate cake and brownie recipes. It really takes this hot chocolate over the top, but feel free to leave it out if you like.
Collected by Cookingtom
Original Article
I’m Brian Danny Max, a chef and a writer at cookingtom.com. I’m here to talk about food and cooking, and to share some of my favorite recipes with you all! I’ve been interested in food and cooking since I was a child. My parents are both great cooks, and they taught me a lot about the kitchen. I’ve been cooking professionally for about 10 years now, and I’ve loved every minute of it! I specialize in healthy, flavorful recipes that are easy to make at home. I believe that anyone can cook a delicious meal, no matter their skill level. I’m here to help you learn how to cook, and to show you that it’s not as difficult as you might think! I hope you’ll check out my blog and my recipes, and I look forward to hearing from you!