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Lightened-Up Crockpot Peppermint Hot Chocolate

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A rich and creamy hot chocolate made with simple ingredients in a crockpot, perfect for holiday gatherings or cozy nights in. This lightened-up version uses almond milk and maple syrup for a guilt-free indulgence.

Ingredients

Scale
  • 2 cups semi-sweet chocolate chips (340g)
  • 6 cups unsweetened almond milk (1.4 liters)
  • 3 tablespoons maple syrup (60ml)
  • 1 teaspoon peppermint extract
  • 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
  • Optional: pinch of sea salt
  • For serving: crushed candy canes, mini marshmallows, coconut whipped cream

Instructions

  1. Prep your crockpot: rinse and dry. Optionally spray with non-stick spray.
  2. Add 6 cups almond milk to the crockpot.
  3. Sprinkle 2 cups chocolate chips evenly over the milk. Do not stir yet.
  4. Drizzle 3 tablespoons maple syrup over everything.
  5. Add 1 teaspoon vanilla extract and 1 teaspoon peppermint extract. Measure carefully.
  6. Whisk gently to combine. The chocolate won’t be melted yet.
  7. Cook on LOW for 2 hours. Do not rush. After 90 minutes, whisk to help chocolate incorporate.
  8. Check texture: should be smooth, silky, and deeply chocolatey. If too thin, it will thicken as it cools. If too thick, whisk in a splash more milk.
  9. Taste and adjust: add more maple syrup for sweetness or more peppermint extract (1/4 teaspoon at a time) if desired.
  10. Switch to WARM setting. It will stay perfect for hours. Whisk before serving.

Notes

Don’t let the milk boil. Use room temperature ingredients if possible. Crush candy canes in a ziplock bag with a rolling pin. Scale up or down easily. For smoothest texture, blend with an immersion blender before serving. Leftovers keep in the fridge for up to 5 days. Can be frozen in ice cube trays for single servings.

Nutrition

Keywords: hot chocolate, crockpot, slow cooker, peppermint, lightened-up, dairy-free, gluten-free, holiday, easy, 5-ingredient

Find it online: https://dahliadishes.com/lightened-up-crockpot-peppermint-hot-chocolate-easy-5-ingredient-recipe/