Creamy Homemade Hot Chocolate Recipe for a Crowd (2024)

Easy Large Batch Hot Chocolate Recipe

Want to know how to make REAL hot chocolate? I’m here to tell you it will change your whole view of the classic comfort beverage, and it’s SO EASY to make!

• This homemade hot chocolate recipe is rich, creamy and delicious. Just add your ingredients together and let the stove or slow cooker do the work for you.
• This is a big batch perfect for a party or casual celebrations. But, you could cut the recipe in half for a smaller group.
• It’s a great hot beverage for the holidays and seasonal gatherings. Share it with friends and enjoy the accolades when they tell you how good it is!

How to Serve Hot Chocolate At a Party

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There are a few different ways to serve hot chocolate for a party crowd. The length of time it will stay hot will vary according to the method.

• Keep a large pot on the stove.
• Use a slow cooker on low or warm setting, depending on how hot your model runs.
• I have a couple of these white thermos carafes that look pretty on a hot chocolate bar. Easy to pour and the white goes with all types of décor. These are also pretty and a little more modern and stylized.
• Pour it into a ceramic soup tureen and use a ladle to scoop it into cups.
• Serve in batches using a china coffee pot or vintage hot chocolate pot. You’ll need to refill the pot as necessary, but the “pretty” factor is worth it.
• Use a large chafing dish with sterno canned heat, on a buffet table. Use a ladle to serve.
• Use a stainless steel thermal server for convenience and to keep the hot chocolate hot!

Keep it Warm Outside

There’s something so nostalgic about enjoying a cup of hot chocolate outside. Whether you’re sitting on the patio around a fire pit, going to an outdoor ice skating rink, skiing, playing in the snow, sledding, or having an old fashioned sleigh ride or hay ride, here’s how to keep it warm in hand.

• This traditional thermos keeps it hot and adds the vintage look of plaid that we love.
• Use disposable cups with corrugated hand grips and lids.
• Bring along a travel mug to keep spills at bay.

How to Make Hot Chocolate

This recipe is as simple as adding ingredients into a pot or crockpot. Whichever method you use, it needs to be kept at a low temperature to insure you don’t scald the dairy products, or burn the chocolate.

Ingredient Tips

• Chocolate. Dark chocolate, bittersweet and semisweet are virtually the same. Just make sure you DON’T use sweetened candy bars or chips, or milk chocolate. Use a bag of baking chips or a baking bar and give it a rough chop so it melts easier.
• Sweet condensed milk. This is a super concentrated sweet product. You don’t want to add anything to the recipe that will elevate the sugar level or it can be overkill.
• Vanilla Extract. Add the vanilla at the end so it doesn’t dissolve and lose its flavor.
• Salt. A little salt helps bring out the sweet chocolatey goodness.

Substitutions & Variations

• Use peppermint extract instead of vanilla.
• Try almond extract as a substitute for the vanilla.
• Add ¼ cup instant coffee or espresso powder along with the other ingredients.
• Add some spicy heat with a little cayenne pepper, about 1 to 1¼ teaspoons.
• Use whole milk instead of half-and-half. It will be slightly less creamy. Note that any non-dairy substitute will alter the creaminess and taste of the finished drink.

Set up a Hot Cocoa Bar

Set up a hot chocolate bar with any of these add-ins and toppers.

• Peppermint Schnapps
• Kahlua
• Baileys Irish Cream
• Marshmallows – have a variety of sizes including miniature marshmallows, jumbo size, regular size. You can also get different shapes and flavors. Make them homemade or buy them.
• Whipped Cream or Cool Whip topping is a delicious topper.
• Chopped chocolate or shavings, or chocolate sprinkles.
• Crushed Candy Canes.
• Peppermint Sticks as a stir stick.
• Cinnamon Sticks as a stir stick.
• Crushed Cookie Crumbs – Oreos, Nutter Butters, or Biscoff cookies would be fantastic.
• Cinnamon powder
• Caramel drizzle
• Flaked Finishing Salt

What to do With Leftover Hot Chocolate

Store leftovers in an airtight container in the refrigerator for about 3 days. Reheat on the stove over low heat, or heat a cup at a time in the microwave for about a minute or until warm.

• The best thing about storing leftovers in the fridge is that it will thicken slightly, and you can eat it with a spoon. It’s like pudding!
• When the recipe is chilled completely you can make this frozen hot chocolate shake. It’s so good!

When to Serve It

This is a terrific drink for entertaining kids and adults alike. My family couldn’t stop raving about it.

• It’s perfect for fall holidays like a Halloween pumpkin carving party.
• Keep it in a slow cooker for Thanksgiving or Friendsgiving celebrations.
• This large recipe is most certainly apropos during Christmas parties.
• Make a batch for game day parties or Super Bowl.
• Chocolate and Valentines day go hand in hand so serve some for a ladies night Galentines party.