This slow cooker peppermint white hot chocolate is perfect for a cozy holiday weekend, watching Hallmark Christmas movies, or enjoying a Christmas movie night with the family. Made with creamy white chocolate, milk, and peppermint candies, it’s a rich and delicious holiday treat.

It’s one of those wonderful, easy Christmas recipes you can prepare ahead of time for a cozy holiday gathering. There’s something special about knowing a slow cooker full of warm, sweet peppermint hot chocolate is waiting for everyone to enjoy.

Oh, how I love the Christmas holidays!

Choosing the Best White Chocolate for Hot Chocolate

Since white chocolate is the main flavour in this peppermint hot chocolate recipe, using good-quality chocolate makes a difference. Look for real white chocolate made with cocoa butter rather than white baking chips or candy melts made primarily with vegetable oils.

Good-quality white chocolate melts smoothly and gives the hot chocolate a rich, creamy flavour. You can use a chopped white chocolate bar or white chocolate chips, but check the ingredient list to make sure they contain cocoa butter.

White chocolate is naturally quite sweet, and the peppermint candies add even more sweetness. That’s why there’s no extra sugar added to this recipe.

Glass mug of creamy peppermint white hot chocolate topped with whipped cream and crushed peppermint candies.

How to Make Slow Cooker Peppermint White Hot Chocolate

This creamy peppermint hot chocolate could not be easier to make. Your slow cooker does almost all the work, leaving you free to enjoy the Christmas festivities.

Ingredients for White Chocolate Peppermint Hot Chocolate

You only need six simple ingredients to make this creamy Christmas hot chocolate in your slow cooker.

8 ounces white chocolate, chopped or white chocolate chips
2 cups whole milk
2 cups half-and-half cream

1 cup heavy whipping cream
8–10 peppermint candies, crushed, plus extra for topping
1 teaspoon vanilla extract

Ingredients for slow cooker peppermint white hot chocolate, including white chocolate, peppermint candies, whole milk, half-and-half, heavy cream, and vanilla extract.

Step 1: Add the White Chocolate and Peppermint

Chop the white chocolate into small pieces if you’re using a chocolate bar, or use white chocolate chips. Unwrap the peppermint candies and crush them into small pieces.

Add the white chocolate and crushed peppermint candies to the bottom of your slow cooker.

Chopped white chocolate and crushed peppermint candies added to a black slow cooker for peppermint white hot chocolate.

Step 2: Add the Milk and Cream

Pour the whole milk, half-and-half cream, and heavy whipping cream into the slow cooker.

Add the vanilla extract and give everything a gentle stir to combine.

Milk and cream added to chopped white chocolate and crushed peppermint candies in a slow cooker.

Step 3: Cook on Low

Cover and cook on LOW for 1½ to 2 hours, stirring approximately every 30 minutes to help the chocolate melt evenly.

The hot chocolate is ready when the white chocolate and peppermint candies have completely melted, and the mixture is hot and steamy. Avoid letting the mixture boil.

Step 4: Serve and Enjoy

Give the hot chocolate one final stir, then ladle it into your favourite Christmas mugs.

Top with a generous swirl of whipped cream and a sprinkle of crushed peppermint candies. Serve warm and enjoy!

Full glass mug of creamy peppermint white hot chocolate topped with whipped cream and crushed peppermint candies, surrounded by festive Christmas decorations.

Make It an Adult Christmas Hot Chocolate

By no means is adding alcohol necessary, but Hubs loves it when I surprise him with a spiked Christmas drink. If you’d like to try a little something extra in your white chocolate peppermint hot chocolate, here are three delicious options.

White Crème de Cacao: Adds a lovely chocolate flavour without changing the pretty white colour of the hot chocolate. Try 1 ounce per mug.
Peppermint Schnapps: Perfect if you love peppermint! Start with ½ ounce per mug since the hot chocolate already contains peppermint candies.
Amaretto: Adds a delicious almond flavour that pairs beautifully with creamy white chocolate. Try ½ to 1 ounce per mug.

Add the liqueur to individual mugs just before serving rather than directly to the slow cooker. That way, everyone can enjoy their hot chocolate exactly how they like it.

Tips for Making Peppermint White Hot Chocolate

Make It a Little Lighter

If you prefer a lighter hot chocolate, simply omit the heavy whipping cream and increase the whole milk from 2 cups to 3 cups. Keep the half-and-half cream and all the other ingredients the same.

You’ll still have a delicious, creamy white chocolate peppermint drink, just a little less rich.

Keep the Hot Chocolate Warm for Serving

For Christmas entertaining, start the slow cooker approximately two hours before you plan to serve the hot chocolate.

Once it’s hot and the chocolate has completely melted, switch the slow cooker to the WARM setting. Stir occasionally to keep everything smooth and creamy. Avoid boiling or holding it at a high temperature.

Add Your Favourite Christmas Toppings

The hot chocolate is delicious on its own, but adding a few Christmas toppings makes it even more special. Try whipped cream, mini marshmallows, crushed peppermint candies, or white chocolate shavings.

For a Christmas movie night, set out a few different toppings and let everyone decorate their own mug.

Glass mug of peppermint white hot chocolate topped with whipped cream and crushed peppermint candies.

Storing and Reheating Leftover Hot Chocolate

Allow any leftover hot chocolate to cool slightly, then transfer it to a covered container and refrigerate promptly. Don’t leave dairy-based hot chocolate sitting out for more than two hours.

Refrigerate for up to 3 days. To reheat, warm individual servings in the microwave in 20–30 second intervals, stirring between each until hot.

For larger amounts, reheat gently in a saucepan over low heat, stirring frequently. Avoid boiling, as the white chocolate may separate.

The chocolate may settle slightly during refrigeration, so give the hot chocolate a good stir before reheating.

I hope you enjoy this peppermint white hot chocolate as much as we do. It’s an easy recipe to have ready for Christmas movie nights or when family and friends stop by during the holidays. Just set out a few toppings, keep the hot chocolate warm in the slow cooker, and let everyone help themselves.

Slow Cooker Peppermint White Hot Chocolate

A rich and creamy peppermint white hot chocolate made with white chocolate, milk, cream, and crushed peppermint candies. This easy slow cooker Christmas drink is perfect for holiday movie nights and family gatherings.

Print Recipe

Prep Time 5

Cook Time 1

Ingredients

8 ounces white chocolate chopped, or white chocolate chips
2 cups whole milk
2 cups half-and-half cream
1 cup heavy whipping cream
8 –10 peppermint candies crushed, plus extra for topping
1 teaspoon vanilla extract
Whipped cream optional, for serving

Instructions

Add the chopped white chocolate or white chocolate chips and crushed peppermint candies to the slow cooker.
Pour in the whole milk, half-and-half cream, and heavy whipping cream.
Add the vanilla extract and stir gently to combine.
Cover and cook on LOW for 1½ to 2 hours, stirring every 30 minutes, until the chocolate and peppermint candies are completely melted and the mixture is hot and steamy. Do not boil.
Stir once more and ladle into mugs. Top with whipped cream and additional crushed peppermint candies, if desired. Serve warm.

Notes

For a lighter version: Omit the heavy whipping cream and increase the whole milk to 3 cups. Keep the remaining ingredients the same.

Keeping warm: Once heated, switch the slow cooker to WARM and stir occasionally. Avoid overheating.

Storage: Refrigerate leftovers in a covered container for up to 3 days. Reheat gently in the microwave in 20–30 second intervals, stirring between each, or in a saucepan over low heat.

Pinterest pin for slow cooker peppermint white hot chocolate featuring a glass mug topped with whipped cream and crushed peppermint candies, with a Christmas recipe text overlay.

More Cozy Drink Recipes to Try

Two mugs filled with warm milk that's been covered with cinnamon sugar.

Warm Milk with Cinnamon and Honey

A sweet, cozy alternative to hot chocolate, made with milk, honey, cinnamon, and vanilla. Especially nice for families.

Christmas coffee bar for guests with coffee, hot chocolate, mugs, treats, and festive toppings.

Christmas Coffee Bar with Hot Chocolate for Holiday Gatherings

If you’re serving this peppermint hot chocolate for a Christmas gathering, check out my Christmas Coffee and Hot Chocolate Bar. It’s full of easy ideas for setting up a party-sized coffee and hot chocolate bar, including festive toppings and pretty display ideas.