How much to make
Plan on 1½ mugs per adult and 1 per child for a two-hour party (a mug here is 8 oz). Our slow cooker hot chocolate makes about 12 mugs per batch, so:
| Adults | Mugs | Batches | Whole milk | Chopped semisweet chocolate | Sweetened condensed milk |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 10 | 15 | 1½ | 15 cups (about 1 gallon) | 12 oz | 1 can |
| 20 | 30 | 2½ | 25 cups (about 1½ gallons) | 20 oz | 2 cans |
| 30 | 45 | 4 | 40 cups (2½ gallons) | 32 oz | 3 cans |
| 50 | 75 | 6½ | 65 cups (about 4 gallons) | 52 oz | 5 cans |
Counting kids or using bigger mugs? Our hot chocolate party calculator works out the exact shopping list for any number of cups, cup size and milk.
Keep it warm
A 6-quart slow cooker holds one batch with room to whisk. For 20 or more guests, run two slow cookers, or keep a second batch warming in a pot on the stove and top up as you go. Set it to WARM once it is hot and whisk every 30 minutes so a skin does not form.
20 toppings and stir-ins
The classics
- Mini marshmallows
- Whipped cream
- Chocolate shavings or chips
- Sprinkles
Holiday favorites
- Crushed candy canes and peppermint sticks
- Gingerbread or shortbread cookies for dunking
- Caramel sauce and a pinch of flaky salt
- Toffee bits
Spice and flavor
- Cinnamon sticks
- Ground nutmeg
- A tiny pinch of cayenne (Mexican-style)
- Orange zest
- Peppermint or vanilla extract (one drop is plenty)
Something different
- Peanut butter
- Nutella
- Crushed pretzels
- Mini chocolate chip cookies
- Espresso shots for the grown-ups
- Flavored syrups (hazelnut, vanilla, caramel)
- Oat milk for a dairy-free mug
Rule of thumb per 10 guests: one 10-oz bag of mini marshmallows, one can of whipped cream and two or three other toppings in small bowls. More choices look generous, but five or six good ones are easier to restock.
Make it work for everyone
- Dairy-free: keep a small pot of hot chocolate made with oat milk and label it clearly.
- Caffeine-free: white hot chocolate has no cocoa solids, so no caffeine. Regular hot chocolate has a little. See our caffeine guide.
- Allergies: label every topping and keep nut toppings (peanut butter, Nutella, toffee with nuts) at the end of the table with their own spoons.
Timeline
- The day before: shop, print the labels and menu, and set out mugs, spoons and bowls.
- Morning of: chop the chocolate, crush the candy canes and fill the topping bowls (cover them).
- 2½ hours before guests arrive: start the slow cooker on LOW. It needs about 2 hours.
- When guests arrive: switch to WARM, put out the whipped cream and let everyone help themselves.
Free printables
Download our hot chocolate bar checklist, topping labels and holiday menu. Print the labels on card stock, fold them in half and stand one in front of each bowl.
More ideas: holiday hot chocolate recipes, best cocoa powder and the best milk for hot chocolate.
