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Cozy Slow Cooker Spiked Hot Chocolate for Fall Parties

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This easy slow cooker spiked hot chocolate is rich, velvety, and infused with warm spices and bourbon. Perfect for fall parties, it’s a set-it-and-forget-it crowd-pleaser that tastes like you spent hours on it.

Ingredients

Scale
  • 6 cups whole milk (1.4 liters)
  • 1 cup heavy cream (240 ml)
  • 2 cups semi-sweet chocolate chips (340 grams)
  • 1/4 cup unsweetened cocoa powder (30 grams)
  • 1/2 cup granulated sugar (100 grams)
  • 2 teaspoons vanilla extract
  • 3 whole cinnamon sticks
  • 6 to 8 whole cloves
  • 2 whole star anise pods
  • 1/2 teaspoon freshly grated nutmeg
  • 1 to 1 1/2 cups bourbon (240 to 360 ml)
  • Mini marshmallows (for garnish)
  • Whipped cream (for garnish)
  • Chocolate shavings or cocoa powder dusting (for garnish)
  • Cinnamon sticks for stirring (for garnish)

Instructions

  1. Prep your slow cooker. Give the insert a quick rinse and dry it. Set it to LOW heat.
  2. Combine the dairy. Pour in the whole milk and heavy cream. Stir to combine.
  3. Add the chocolate and cocoa. Dump in the semi-sweet chocolate chips and unsweetened cocoa powder. Don’t stir yet.
  4. Add the sugar and vanilla. Sprinkle the granulated sugar over everything, then add the vanilla extract.
  5. Add the whole spices. Drop in the cinnamon sticks, whole cloves, star anise pods, and freshly grated nutmeg.
  6. Whisk everything together. Make sure the cocoa powder is fully incorporated.
  7. Cook on LOW for 2 hours. Resist the urge to lift the lid.
  8. Stir and taste. The chocolate should be fully melted and the liquid smooth. Adjust sweetness or spice if needed.
  9. Add the bourbon. Pour in the bourbon and stir gently. Start with 1 cup and add more to taste.
  10. Keep warm on LOW or WARM setting. Switch to WARM if available, or keep on LOW and check every 30 minutes.
  11. Serve and garnish. Ladle into mugs, top with marshmallows or whipped cream, and garnish as desired.

Notes

Don’t rush the low heat—cooking on HIGH can scald the milk. Use whole spices for best infusion; ground spices can create a gritty texture. Taste the base before adding bourbon. For a crowd, strain through a fine-mesh strainer to remove whole spices. If making ahead, prepare the base without bourbon up to 24 hours in advance, then reheat and add bourbon before serving.

Nutrition

Keywords: slow cooker hot chocolate, spiked hot chocolate, fall party drink, bourbon hot chocolate, slow cooker drink

Find it online: https://evabake.com/cozy-slow-cooker-spiked-hot-chocolate-for-fall-parties/