As Fall approaches my kids remind me it’s time to make hot chocolate. I have a small but legit Starbucks habit (don’t hate) that started when I lived in Vancouver. Whenever I indulge my habit here, the kids seem to be with me and always request hot cocoa. I may or may not have turned them into hot chocolate monsters.
We spend a lot of time outdoors in the winter, sledding, skating, playing in the snow. The promise of warm hot cocoa topped with marshmallows is never far from their minds. It’s easier most days to grab a premade mix. These days I want the kids to experience home made hot chocolate and learn to love it.

This hot chocolate was ready two hours before they came home from school. I was surprised it thickened as it sat on low in the crockpot. They were not used to it being so thick and weren’t sure if they liked it or not.

Ingredients
- 4 cups milk
- 1/4 cup cocoa
- 1 cup chocolate chips
- 1 tsp vanilla
- 2 cinnamon sticks
- 2 tbsp maple syrup
- pinch of salt
Instructions
- Toss all ingredients into a smaller, round (mini) crockpot. Stir in the cocoa powder, put lid on and let it cook for 2 - 2.5 hours.
- Around the 2 - 2.5 hour mark, remove lid and stir. Pour into a mug, top with marshmallows or whipping cream.
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