Description
Warm comfort arrives with this slow cooker pumpkin hot chocolate, blending rich autumn flavors into a creamy seasonal delight. Spices and chocolate meld perfectly for a comforting drink that wraps you in sweet, spicy warmth.
Ingredients
Scale
- 4 cups (946 ml) whole milk
- 2 cups (474 ml) heavy cream
- 1 cup (170 g) semi-sweet chocolate chips
- ½ cup (120 g) pumpkin puree
- ⅓ cup (79 ml) maple syrup or brown sugar
- ¼ cup (25 g) cocoa powder
- 1 tsp vanilla extract
- 1 tsp pumpkin pie spice
- ¼ tsp salt
- whipped cream
- mini marshmallows
- cinnamon or nutmeg sprinkle
- chocolate shavings
Instructions
- Preparation: Combine milk, heavy cream, chocolate chips, pumpkin puree, cocoa powder, maple syrup, vanilla extract, pumpkin pie spice, and salt directly in the slow cooker, creating a rich and aromatic base for the hot chocolate.
- Blending: Whisk the ingredients thoroughly to achieve a smooth, homogeneous mixture, ensuring no dry pockets or ingredient clusters remain.
- Simmering: Set the slow cooker to low temperature and allow the liquid to gently meld together, stirring occasionally over 2-3 hours to prevent ingredient separation and promote even chocolate melting.
- Finishing: Once the chocolate has completely dissolved and the texture becomes velvety smooth, give a final vigorous whisk to guarantee a perfectly integrated, luxurious hot chocolate.
- Serving: Pour the decadent pumpkin hot chocolate into individual mugs and garnish with optional toppings like whipped cream, marshmallows, or a light dusting of ground cinnamon for an extra touch of indulgence.
Notes
- Prevent Ingredient Separation: Whisk thoroughly at the beginning and periodically during cooking to ensure chocolate chips and pumpkin puree blend seamlessly without lumps.
- Temperature Control Matters: Use low slow cooker setting to gently melt ingredients and prevent scorching, which can create unpleasant burnt flavors.
- Customize Sweetness Levels: Adjust maple syrup quantity based on personal preference or dietary needs, using alternatives like honey or sugar-free sweeteners for different health requirements.
- Dairy-Free Adaptation: Substitute dairy milk and cream with almond, oat, or coconut milk for lactose-intolerant or vegan preferences without compromising rich, creamy texture.
- Prep Time: 5 minutes
- Cook Time: 2-3 hours
- Category: Drinks, Snacks, Desserts
- Method: Slow Cooking
- Cuisine: American
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 9
- Calories: 400
- Sugar: 27 g
- Sodium: 200 mg
- Fat: 29 g
- Saturated Fat: 17 g
- Unsaturated Fat: 10 g
- Trans Fat: 0 g
- Carbohydrates: 31 g
- Fiber: 1 g
- Protein: 6 g
- Cholesterol: 90 mg