How to Host a Hot Chocolate Bar Party + The Most Luxurious Hot Chocolate
It's the most wonderful time of the year -- Hot Chocolate season! Let's talk about how to throw a hot chocolate bar party with everything that you need and a recipe for the most luxurious hot chocolate that requires you to just toss everything into the slow cooker! Spread that holiday cheer!
Servings: 18
Calories: 427kcal
Equipment
Ingredients
- ¼ cup cocoa powder
- ½ cup hot water
- 20 ounces chopped semi-sweet chocolate
- 10 cups milk whole or 2%
- 2 ½ cups heavy cream
- 1 (12-ounce) can evaporated milk (not fat-free)
- ½ cup sugar optional
- ¼ teaspoon salt
toppings:
Instructions
- Start by adding the cocoa powder to a bowl, pour in the hot water, and whisk until mixed.
- Add the cocoa mixture along with the chopped chocolate, milk, heavy cream, evaporated milk, and salt to a 6-quart slow cooker or larger. If you're serving this with a hot chocolate bar and toppings, consider leaving out the sugar to avoid the hot chocolate being too sweet. If you're serving the hot chocolate solo, add in the sugar.
- Cook the hot chocolate on the high setting for 3-4 hours or on low for 6 hours. Low for 6 hours is what I prefer. Make sure to stir the hot chocolate every hour to keep the chocolate from settling to the bottom.
- Keep on the warm setting if you're serving it hot chocolate bar style with toppings on the side. Leftover hot chocolate can be refrigerated for up to one week and warmed in the microwave before serving.
Notes
- Once the hot chocolate cooks, you want to try and serve this within 1 hour. After making it several more times, I find that If you let it sit for too long, and your slow cooker runs hot, you run the risk of it curdling the cream or the heavy cream sticking to the bottom.
- You can also make this on the stove if you don’t have a slow cooker. Just whisk the water and cocoa powder together over medium heat until it begins to simmer, add in the remaining ingredients, and whisk until the chocolate melts. Make sure the hot chocolate doesn’t boil. You want it to just barely reach the simmer point. It’ll take you in the ballpark of 15 minutes altogether. Then, you can pour it into a carafe. This one keeps drinks hot for 12 hours!
- Oh please don't make hot chocolate with anything less than 2% milk, it just won't give you that deliciousness. Also a no-no, fat-free evap milk.
- You can halve this recipe to serve 7-10 guests.
Nutrition
Calories: 427kcal | Carbohydrates: 32g | Protein: 9g | Fat: 30g | Fiber: 3g | Sugar: 27g
