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The ultimate winter drink is here! Make a big batch of this peppermint white hot chocolate recipe right in your slow cooker so everyone can have a mug or two. The rich creamy white hot chocolate with a wintry peppermint kick will have you and your loved ones feeling all the warm fuzzies from the inside out.
White Chocolate Mint Hot Cocoa
When it comes to holiday recipes, you can’t get much more classic than hot chocolate. The rich flavors, the sugary steam, the floating mini marshmallows – it’s the ultimate drink of the holiday season. And with this easy slow cooker recipe, you can make enough for your entire family to enjoy while watching your favorite Christmas movie.
Instead of the super-rich dark or milk chocolate, this recipe is made with smooth white chocolate. I love finding new ways to use white chocolate because it reminds me of snow days and frosted windows!
It perfect on no-bake Ritz cracker cookies, as the shell for no-bake snowman Oreo balls, and is the perfect topping for white chocolate dipped peppermint cookies. So, naturally, it would be amazing melted in a creamy drink too.
Everyone will love a mug of white chocolate peppermint cocoa made from scratch so much that you might not go back to the powdered packets again! Thankfully, it’s just as easy to make in a crockpot!
Why you’ll love Slow Cooker Peppermint White Hot Chocolate
Perfectly Balanced Flavor – The milk, heavy whipping cream, and white chocolate chips are enhanced by the vanilla and peppermint extracts. It’s the perfect balance of sweet and rich flavors.
Smooth Texture – Since this white peppermint hot chocolate recipe doesn’t use any powdered packets, you will get a super smooth cup of cocoa every time.
Enough for a Crowd – This recipe makes at least 7 cups, but you can easily make more for a large gathering!
Easy – All you do is stir the ingredients together in the slow cooker and then let it cook slowly for two hours. The perfect way to warm up during the winter months!
Equipment you’ll need
Ingredients
Below is a list of the ingredients you’ll need to gather to make this recipe, why you need them, and possible substitutions. Scroll all the way down for the full recipe card with measurements.
- White Chocolate Chips – This is the base of the entire peppermint white hot chocolate, so be choosy and use the highest-quality white chocolate that you can. Ghirardelli is what I use.
- Whole Milk – For the biggest flavor and creamiest texture, use full-fat milk.
- Heavy Whipping Cream – This makes the hot cocoa extra creamy and thickens it easily.
- Vanilla – Pure vanilla extract will deepen the flavor of the white chocolate.
- Peppermint Extract – A bit of peppermint extract is what makes it taste like peppermint hot cocoa.
- Whipped Cream – Use as much as you want as a topping for your drink.
- Mini Marshmallows – These are optional, but fluffy marshmallows are a classic way to add sweetness and texture to your drink.
- Crushed Peppermint – This is optional but I love to garnish with crushed peppermint candies or crushed candy cane for a pop of color. It makes it look extra fun!
How to make Peppermint White Hot Chocolate in the Slow Cooker
This section shows you how to make this recipe, with process photos showing the steps to help you visualize it. For full instructions, including amounts and temperatures, see the recipe card below.
- Step One: Add the chocolate chips, milk, heavy cream, vanilla, and peppermint extract to the slow cooker.
- Step Two: Stir it together and cover it with the lid. Cook on LOW for 2 hours, whisking every 30 minutes.
- Step Three: Once fully combined, turn the slow cooker to the WARM setting for serving.
- Step Four: Ladle the slow cooker white hot chocolate into mugs and garnish with whipped cream, mini marshmallows, and candy canes. Enjoy!
What to serve with Peppermint White Hot Chocolate
Whether you’re hosting a Christmas party or about to cozy up with a good book, hot white chocolate with a touch of peppermint should be enjoyed with your favorite Christmas cookies and desserts!
It’ll taste extra-delicious with more peppermint recipes, but any desserts are perfect.
For something light, make M&M Christmas cookie bars. If you’re in the mood for something really rich, then hot chocolate cookies are what you want! Or have fun with it and serve some Grinch Christmas cream cheese mints!
Tips & Suggestions
- Choose a high-quality white chocolate for the best results. I prefer Ghirardelli. A white chocolate baking bar can also be used, just break it into pieces before adding to the slow cooker.
- Semi-sweet chocolate chips can be used in place of white chocolate. Now we’re in the traditional hot chocolate territory.
- If you want to make it without the peppermint flavor, omit the peppermint extract.
- To make a white mocha hot chocolate, add a splash of espresso.
- This is a non-alcoholic version, but it doesn’t have to be. For a fun adult drink, add a splash of peppermint schnapps or white chocolate liqueur. A warm drink after putting up Christmas lights on a chilly winter night sometimes requires some extra holiday spirit. If you catch my drift!
How to reheat and store Peppermint White Hot Chocolate
How to store leftovers
Place any leftover hot chocolate in a spill-proof and airtight container in the refrigerator.
How long will peppermint white hot chocolate last in the fridge?
This easy peppermint white cocoa recipe will stay fresh in the refrigerator for about four days.
How to reheat it
It’s best to reheat the peppermint hot cocoa in your crock pot over low heat. Heat it just until it is warmed through.
FAQs
To make the cup look extra fun and fancy, you can add a bit of vanilla frosting to the rim of the glass, stick crushed peppermint to the rim, and place a mini candy cane in the drink. You can also add festive sprinkles or white chocolate shavings on top of the whipped cream. If you can find peppermint marshmallows those would be neat too!
Yes, you can! Use your favorite type of unflavored and unsweetened milk as a 1:1 ratio to replace the whole milk.
Yes, you can use half and half instead of heavy whipping cream. Just make sure that you cook it with low heat so it doesn’t curdle.
Need more easy holiday drink recipes? Try these:
Homemade Hot Cocoa Mix with Printable Gift Tag
Click here for my entire collection of Christmas recipes.
Slow Cooker Peppermint White Hot Chocolate
Equipment
Ingredients
- 12 ounces white chocolate chips use a high quality like Ghirardelli
- 5 cups whole milk
- 2 cups heavy whipping cream
- 1 teaspoon vanilla
- 1 ½-2 teaspoons peppermint extract
- whipped cream for topping
- mini marshmallows and crushed peppermint for garnish
Instructions
- To the basin of a 6 quart slow cooker, add the chocolate chips, milk, heavy cream, vanilla, and peppermint extract. Stir together.
- Cover and cook on LOW for 2 hours, whisking every 30 minutes.
- Once fully combined, turn the slow cooker to WARM for serving.
- Ladle into a mug and garnish with whipped cream, mini marshmallows, and candy canes.
Notes
- Choose a high quality white chocolate for the best results. I prefer Ghirardelli. A white chocolate baking bar can also be used, just break it into pieces before adding to the slow cooker.
- Semi-sweet chocolate chips can be used in place of white.
- To simply make white hot chocolate, omit the peppermint extract.
- To make a white mocha hot chocolate, add a splash of espresso.
Nutrition
Nutritional information is an estimate and provided to you as a courtesy. You should calculate the nutritional information with the actual ingredients used in your recipe using your preferred nutrition calculator.
Can I make it without peppermint
Yes
Can it be doubled?
Yes, as long as your slow cooker size can accommodate it.