Big Batch Crockpot Hot Chocolate with Pepperminty Marshmallows

When you want to serve a crowd something warm and chocolatey delicious there's nothing quite like Hot Chocolate with Pepperminty Marshmallows. Because you serve it from a crockpot, it can be available over a period of hours. You can even walk away from it and there it is welcoming everyone to stop for a moment and enjoy a quick treat. Rich and tasty, it works quite well when its your turn to provide snacks for the staff at work. This recipe serves around 25 (6 oz. serving). 

In addition to the peppermint candies, I also dipped some in sprinkles.

Pepperminty Marshmallows
The Pepperminty Marshmallows can be made a day or two in advance if needed and stored in an airtight container. Peppermint candies or canes are coarsely crushed in a food processor. (No food processor? Take a hammer or rolling pin to them!) Simply melt some chocolate bark (6 oz. is enough for 1 bag of marshmallows) in a shallow bowl in the microwave, dip one end in the chocolate and then in the peppermint crumbs. Place on plastic wrap and allow to set up. Store until needed.

Big Batch Crockpot Hot Chocolate
The cocoa has a great chocolate flavor that is rich, but not overly so. Here's how I made it:
In a saucepan combine
2/3 cup cocoa
2/3 cup sugar
Gradually add
2 cups water
Bring to a boil while stirring constantly and allow to boil for two minutes. Remove from heat and add:
1 14-oz. can of sweetened condensed milk
1 12 oz. package of semi-sweet chocolate chips
Stir until chips are melted and everything is combined. 

(I did this the night before, because I was bringing it to work quite early in the morning. I stored it in covered container in the refrigerator and warmed it slightly in the microwave before combining it with milk.)

Put chocolate mixture into a 5 quart crockpot and gradually stir in:
1 gallon whole milk

For a printable copy of the recipe, please click here.

Heat on low until warm. Serve with Pepperminty Marshmallows and enjoy!