There is nothing quite as awesome as coming home to a crock pot full of warm chili at the end of a long day at the office. The trusty crock pot has become an essential part of our daily lives. However, we have actually been ignoring another function of our slow cookers. Did you know that a crock pot is the perfect place to make hot chocolate and spiced apple cider? It's true.
For the same reasons we love to make meals in the crock pot, we can make hot beverages too. The low and slow heat is ideal for melting chocolate and steeping cider. The next time you head out for a day on the ski hill, a day at the rink or any old day, throw all the ingredients for crock pot hot chocolate or crock pot mulled apple cider in before you leave and come home and warm up with a mug of deliciousness.
Ingredients
2 litres whole milk (3.25% fat)
1 cup heavy cream or whipping cream
14 oz can of sweetened condensed milk
1 tsp vanilla
2 cups semi-sweet chocolate chips (or dark chocolate chips)
whipped cream or marshmallows
Directions
Pour all ingredients in a crock pot and whisk to combine.
Cover and cook on the low setting for a minimum of 2 hours. Hot chocolate can be left on low heat for as long as you need.
Whisk before serving. Top with whipped cream or marshmallows.
Enjoy.
Ingredients
2 litres pure apple cider
3 cinnamon sticks
1 tbsp whole cloves
1 tbsp whole allspice
2 clementine oranges, or 1 medium sized orange
Rum optional
Directions
Pour apple cider into slow cooker.
Wrap cinnamon sticks, cloves and allspice in a square of cheesecloth and tie with kitchen twine.
Drop spices into apple cider.
Slice clementines and add to apple cider.
Cover and cook on low setting for a minimum of 4 hours. Mulled apple cider can be left on low heat for as long as you need.
If you wish, add a shot of rum to each glass of spiced apple cider before serving.
Enjoy.
What the Kids Can Do: Crock pots are a fabulous tool for kids to use in the kitchen. Have the kids pour all the ingredients into the crock pot. The kids will be amazed at the transformation from chocolate chips and milk to steaming hot chocolate.
10 Surprising Things You Can Make In A Slow Cooker
Printer-friendly version