This rich and creamy Instant Pot Hot Chocolate will be the best hot chocolate you've ever tasted! It’s easy to make and is perfect for holidays, parties and fun time with the kids! See below for the full recipe and tips and ideas on how to make a Hot Chocolate Bar.
Why You Will Love This Recipe:
- It’s quick. You can have this delicious hot chocolate ready in less than 10 minutes.
- You can make this ahead of time and use the “Keep Warm” setting on the Instant Pot to keep it warm until you are ready to serve.
- This is perfect for serving a crowd, holidays and family traditions.
Watch How To Make This Recipe Here!
Ways You Can Use:
There are so many events and gatherings that this hot chocolate would be perfect for:
- Christmas parties and other holiday parties and get togethers
- Birthday parties
- Fall parties
- Sleepovers
- Halloween parties
- Christmas Eve or Christmas morning
- Fun New Years Eve activity with the kids
- Baby showers
- After looking at Christmas lights
- Having friends over
- Tailgates
- Potlucks
- Cookie decorating party
Q&A:
No, this recipe does not use the "Pressure Cook" function. You will only need to use the “Sauté” function on your Instant Pot.
Yes, you can make this hot chocolate in your slow cooker. Just pour all of the ingredients into the slow cooker and slow cook on low for 3 hours. Once done, stir and put the slow cooker on “warm” mode.
Equipment Needed:
- Instant Pot
- Whisk
Ingredients:
- Hot Cocoa Mix - I used Starbucks instant cocoa mix but you can use any instant mix, such as Swiss Miss.
- Milk Chocolate Chips - I prefer milk chocolate. Semi sweet chocolate chips are okay as well.
- Heavy Whipping cream - you can also use half and half.
- Milk - I like to use whole milk for the creamiest hot chocolate but you can use whatever milk you like, including almond milk.
- Vanilla extract
Instructions:
1. Turn the Instant Pot on "Sauté" mode and add the milk, heavy whipping cream, chocolate chips and hot cocoa mix.
2. Give the ingredients a good stir and then wait for the chocolate to melt, about 5 minutes. Once the chocolate has melted, stir again.
3. Stir in the vanilla extract. Turn off the "Sauté" mode and turn on the "Keep Warm" mode. Do not boil. Serve and enjoy!
Hot Chocolate Bar - Toppings and Ideas:
You can also build your own hot chocolate bar! It’s so fun and is a party hit! Here is how you do it:
First, gather different sized jars, small bowls and dishes to put your toppings in. For my bar, I used whatever I could find around the house.
Next, choose your toppings. You can get super creative with this. Here are some ideas:
- Whipped Cream
- Marshmallows - Large, small and different flavors.
- Candy Canes - Crush them up or keep them whole. I like to use a variety of flavors. Peppermint candy canes stirred into hot chocolate makes the perfect peppermint hot chocolate.
- Chocolate Sauce Drizzle
- Caramel Sauce Drizzle
- Cinnamon Sticks
- Chocolate Whipped Cream
- Crushed Chocolate Bar
- Peppermint Patties
- Crushed Graham Crackers
- Sea Salt - To sprinkle on top.
- Vanilla Ice Cream - This is so good! Place a scoop of vanilla ice cream on top of your hot chocolate and top with chocolate or caramel drizzle. Yum!
Lastly, make your hot chocolate by using the recipe below and put your bar together like this:
You can put your bar together any way you'd like. Hopefully I have provided you with the inspiration to make the most AMAZING hot chocolate bar.
Pro Tips:
- This recipe was made in a 6 quart Instant Pot but can be made in an 8 quart without making any changes.
- This recipe can be doubled.
- Be sure to give your hot chocolate a stir before serving if it's been sitting to blend in all of the ingredients that may have settled at the bottom.
- I recommend not keeping your Instant Pot Hot Chocolate on "Keep Warm" mode for longer than 5 hours.
- I did not add any extra sugar to this recipe because the milk chocolate chips and the hot cocoa mix I used was enough.
- Store leftovers in the refrigerator in an air tight container for up to 4 days.
Easy Instant Pot Hot Chocolate + Bar Idea
Equipment
- Instant Pot
- Whisk
Ingredients
- 5 cups whole milk
- 1 cup heavy whipping cream
- 1 cup milk chocolate chips
- ½ cup hot cocoa mix
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
Toppings Ideas:
- Marshmallows
- Whipped Cream
- Candy Canes
- Chocolate Sauce Drizzle
- Cinnamon Sticks
- Chocolate Whipped Cream
- Crushed Chocolate Bar
- Peppermint Patties
- Crushed Graham Crackers
- Sea Salt
- Vanilla Ice Cream
Instructions
- Turn the Instant Pot on "Sauté" mode and add the milk, heavy whipping cream, chocolate chips and hot cocoa mix.
- Give the ingredients a good stir and then wait for the chocolate to melt, about 5 minutes. Once the chocolate has melted, stir again.
- Stir in the vanilla extract. Turn off the "Sauté" mode and turn on the "Keep Warm" mode. Do not boil. Serve and enjoy!
Notes
Nutrition
Nutritional information is approximate. For accurate nutritional information you should refer to the nutritional labels on the packages of the specific ingredients that you used.
Laura
I was tasked as the "hot chocolate mom" in church this week, and I was so lucky to find this recipe! Instead of using MULTIPLE packets, I was able to make a HUGE batch in just ONE pan! I set up a small bar with marshmallows and candy canes, and it was a total hit! And so easy!
Ivory
Yay! So glad you enjoyed! We just made a big batch today! My kids always request is after a fun day out in the snow.