How to Make White Hot Chocolate (+ Flavors| Toppings| Crockpot Option)
How to make white hot chocolate on the stove or in a crockpot with just 3 base ingredients (dairy-free/vegan optional) and tons of optional add-ins and toppings. This sweet and creamy white chocolate hot cocoa makes for a super easy warming drink, perfect for Christmas and the chilly winter months!
First, cut the white chocolate down into small pieces (to make it easier to melt).
Then, heat the milk in a saucepan over medium heat. Once warm, add the white chocolate and the vanilla.
Whisk the mixture well until the white chocolate has completely melted into the white hot chocolate mixture. Heat the mixture for between 5-8 minutes, bringing it to just under a boil (WITHOUT BOILING), then remove from the heat.If you’re adding any extras, do so with the chocolate. Then, at the end, taste and adjust any of the flavors to personal preference.
Transfer the white hot cocoa to mugs, top with your toppings of choice (recommendation below) and enjoy!
Crock Pot White Hot Chocolate
Add all the ingredients to the slow cooker and cook on LOW for 2-2 ½ hours, stirring every 30 minutes, until the chocolate is melted.Then, either serve the white chocolate hot cocoa immediately OR change the crockpot to the KEEP WARM setting.
How to Store?
Store: Allow the white chocolate hot cocoa to cool and then store in an airtight bottle in the refrigerator for up to 3 days.Reheat: You can reheat the hot chocolate either in the microwave or on the stovetop, whisking/stirring well until warm.
Notes
Use high-quality white chocolate: It’s the main flavor in this drink, so it’s essential not to use the stuff that’s ‘cheap and nasty.’
For an even creamier white hot chocolate: you can use half and half or evaporated milk instead of some or all of the milk.
Creating a hot chocolate bar for events/parties: Check out my hot chocolate bar post for everything you’ll need, including optional add-ins, toppings, and accessories!
To keep the drink warm: If you’re making a large batch of white hot cocoa for an event, you can keep it warm either in a coffee carafe (thermos/flask) OR in a crockpot on the LOW/KEEP WARM setting.
Adjust the sweetness: Most white chocolate is already sweet enough that I don’t feel the need to add any additional sweetener. However, do so if preferred.
For frothy white hot chocolate: Either use a hand-held milk frother or whisk into the saucepan OR transfer the mixture to a blender and pulse until frothy.
For vegan white hot chocolate: Use dairy-free white chocolate and milk.
White Hot Chocolate ToppingsMy favorite part about making homemade hot chocolate is being able to go crazy with the toppings (especially when entertaining). Here are some of my favorite hot chocolate toppings (and better yet, most work for regular and white hot chocolate!).
Berries: I love serving this homemade white hot chocolate with raspberries (fresh or freeze-dried). You can also add a sprinkle of any freeze-dried berry powder to garnish.
Marshmallows: or vegan marshmallows. Regular or mini.
Chocolate shavings/chips: dark chocolate, milk, or white – dairy-free if necessary.
Peppermint candy: candy canes, crushed peppermint candy, or peppermint sticks work REALLY well when creating a peppermint white hot chocolate (with peppermint extract).
Cookies: Oreos, gingerbread (like this mug topper), Biscoff, etc., can be placed whole in whipped cream or crushed over the top of the drink.
Coarse Sea Salt: Just a pinch to enhance the flavors and balance the sweetness.