Hot Cocoa Bar

INGREDIENTS

• ¼ cup cocoa powder

• ½ cup hot water

• 20 ounces chopped chocolate bars

• 10 cups whole milk

• 3 cups heavy cream

• ½ cup sugar (unless using sweet toppings)

• ¼ teaspoon salt

TOPPINGS

Marshmallows, toffee bits, coarse sea salt, mini chocolate chips, crushed peppermints, candy canes, soft peppermint sticks, whoppers, lindt truffles, pirouette cookies, whipped cream, dark chocolate syrup, caramel sauce ... or anything else that sounds good to you!

INSTRUCTIONS

1. Start by adding the cocoa powder to your 4 qt Rockcrok Dutch Oven, pour in the hot water and whisk until mixed.

2. Add the cocoa mixture along with the chopped chocolate, milk, heavy cream and salt to a 6 quart slow cooker or larger. If you’re serving this with a hot chocolate bar and toppings, consider leaving out the sugar to avoid the hot chocolate being too sweet. If you’re serving the hot chocolate solo, add in the sugar.

3. Heat the hot chocolate on your stovetop on medium high heat until it is very hot, but not boiling. You'll need to stir it frequently. Remove from stove & place in slow cooker stand on low setting. Turn down to warm if it gets too hot. You can also heat it on the high setting for 4 hours or on low for 6 hours. Make sure to stir the hot cocoa every hour to keep the chocolate from settling to the bottom.

4. Keep on the warm setting if you’re serving it hot chocolate bar style with toppings on the side. Leftover hot chocolate can be refrigerated for up to one week and warmed in the microwave before serving.

COOK'S TIPS

You can find paper cups & sleeves on Amazon. Wooden boxes, jars, tags, scoops & other fun decorating items can often be found at thrift stores or Hobby Lobby.