This Instant Pot Hot Chocolate combines a few simple ingredients like cocoa powder, chocolate chips, cream, and milk, in the Instant Pot to make a comforting drink for a crowd.
The Instant Pot is a great way to make batch drinks for a crowd. Try this Instant Pot eggnog or apple cider for your next holiday gathering.
Why You’ll Love It
- You’ll be pleasantly surprised by how quick you can whip up a batch of hot chocolate; it takes just 10 minutes!
- You have full control over your recipe, allowing you to customize it to your preferences. Adjust the sweetness level or choose your favorite type of chocolate effortlessly.
- When you make homemade hot chocolate, anytime! Keep these ingredients on hand and make up a batch whenever you want.
» You might also like this Instant Pot Apple Cider.
Ingredients You’ll Need
- Cocoa powder – You can use any kind of cocoa powder. I personally like dark cocoa powder, the extra bitterness cuts the sweetness and adds a more complex flavor.
- Granulated sugar – Plain white granulated sugar.
- Semi-sweet chocolate – You can use chocolate chips or chocolate bars. Dark, semi-sweet, or milk chocolate will all work.
- Water
- Whole milk – I like whole milk for this recipe just because it helps with the creaminess. You could use whatever milk you like.
- Heavy cream – You can use heavy cream or half and half.
- Vanilla extract – Adds a mild vanilla flavor. You can leave it out if you want.
- Salt – A pinch of salt will enhance the chocolate flavor.
- Toppings – Optional. Whipped cream, chocolate shavings, cinnamon, marshmallows, and sprinkles.
Equipment Needed
For this recipe, we use the 6-quart Instant Pot Duo Plus, but you can use any electric pressure cooker.
- Instant Pot – I use a 6-quart Instant Pot Duo Plus to make all of my recipes, but you can use any size or brand of electric pressure cooker. If you’re using an 8-quart pot, you will need to adjust the amount of liquid accordingly, as it requires more water to build steam.
- Whisk
- Ladle
Tips & Notes
- For a sweet and slightly thicker consistency add sweetened condensed milk instead of sugar.
- You don’t want to boil the mixture in the Instant Pot. Hit the cancel button before that happens.
- Stir continuously to avoid scorching on the bottom.
- Taste the hot chocolate for sweetness. Add more sugar if you like.
- If you have chocolate or cocoa powder that doesn’t dissolve fully use a stick blender quickly to break it up.
- 6 servings will depend greatly on how large your mugs are.
How to Make Instant Pot Hot Chocolate
Step 1: Add the ingredients
Turn the Instant Pot on to saute mode.
Add the water, cocoa powder, salt, and granulated sugar. Whisk until the ingredients together until a paste forms and the cocoa powder is completey incorporated.
Add the milk, heavy cream, chocolate, and vanilla extract. Whisk continuously until chocolate is melted and mixture is creamy, about 5 minutes. Stir continuously to avoid scorching on the bottom.
Step 2: Heat
Don’t let the milk come to a boil. Hit the cancel button just before that happens and remember that there will be residual heat in the pot for a few minutes.
When you’re done, turn the Instant Pot on to keep warm mode for up to two hours and serve.
How to Serve and Store
Serve the hot chocolate directly out of the Instant Pot when we have guests over. Just switch your Instant Pot to keep warm mode and leave a ladle nearby so guests can serve themselves directly from the pot. You can also put it in an insulated carafe for easy serving.
Because this hot chocolate has milk and heavy cream in it, don’t allow the hot chocolate to sit in the Instant Pot on warm for more than two hours.
To store, refrigerate in a covered container for up to 5 days. Reheat it in a saucepan on the stove over medium-low heat or warm in the microwave taking care not to let it boil.
Make it part of a hot chocolate sharing board for a fun presentation for guests.
How to Make a Hot Chocolate Sharing Board
Why not build a beautiful sharing board around this delicious hot chocolate that is made for a crowd. It’s so easy! Okay, there’s a bit more to it than just adding piles of good food to a board, but it’s not much more difficult than that.
Once you’ve got a your hot chocolate made, half the job is done. What is left to do is to arrange your toppings.
- Arrange your hot chocolate in a central location along with the mugs.
- Arrange smaller items in bowls for easy access.
- Cut up chocolate bars or chocolate candy so that they melt quickly.
- Whip cream doesn’t hold its shape once it starts to warm up. You might want to use a stainless steal whip cream dispenser that keeps it cold.
- Add all of your favorite hot chocolate toppings but also cookies and candies you love. The move the merrier.
What is the Difference Between Hot Chocolate and Hot Cocoa?
Hot chocolate and hot cocoa are both comforting beverages, but they differ in their ingredients and flavors.
When you order a cup of hot chocolate, you’re in for a rich and indulgent treat. Hot chocolate is made by melting real chocolate into milk or cream, resulting in a rich and creamy concoction with a deep chocolate taste.
On the other hand, hot cocoa is a simpler drink created by mixing cocoa powder with sugar and hot milk or water, offering a lighter and more nostalgic cocoa flavor. Hot cocoa has a more subtle chocolate flavor compared to hot chocolate.
Variations and Add-ins
- Spice it up – Use spices such as cinnamon, nutmeg, chili powder, and even cayenne pepper.
- Add flavorings – Use peppermint or orange extract, flavored syrups, caramel sauce, or Dalgona whipped coffee.
- Make it boozie – Add peppermint schnapps, rum chata, or kahlua.
- Add your favorite toppings – There are so many great toppings such as whipped cream, marshmallows, mini chocolate chips, candy canes, and sprinkles.
Questions About the Recipe
Do you make Instant Pot hot chocolate with milk or water?
This recipe uses both. The combination of heavy cream, whole milk, and water along with the other ingredients makes a smooth and silky beverage.
Is this hot chocolate pressure cooked in the Instant Pot?
No. This hot chocolate is prepared using the saute function only. Boiling milk will change the texture and cause the milk to curdle.
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Instant Pot Hot Chocolate
Note: Made in a 6-qt Instant Pot
Equipment
- Whisk
- Ladle
Ingredients
- 1/2 cup (118 ml) water
- 1/2 cup (43 g) cocoa powder
- 1/4 teaspoon (1.5 g) salt
- 1/2 cup (100 g) granulated sugar
- 4 1/2 cups (1065 ml) whole milk
- 1/2 cup (118 ml) heavy cream
- 1/2 cup (118 ml) semi-sweet chocolate chocolate chips
- 1/2 teaspoon (2 ml) vanilla extract
Instructions
- Turn the Instant Pot on to saute mode.
- Add water, cocoa powder, salt, and granulated sugar. Whisk until incorporated.
- Add milk, heavy cream, chocolate, and vanilla extract. Whisk until chocolate is melted and mixture is creamy, about 5 minutes.
- Turn Instant Pot to warm mode.
Notes
- Stir continuously to avoid scorching on the bottom.
- Don’t boil the milk. Hit the cancel button just before it boils.
- Taste the hot chocolate for sweetness. Add more sugar if you like.
- For a sweet and slightly thicker consistency add sweetened condensed milk instead of sugar.
- If you have chocolate or cocoa powder that doesn’t dissolve fully use a stick blender quickly to break up the chunks.
- 6 servings will depend greatly on how large your mugs are.
Nutrition
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Angela is a talented home cook and an expert at creating delicious, nutritious meals that can be prepared quickly and easily using an Instant Pot.
I made this recipe so many times over the holidays. My family thanks you!!
Creamy and delicious.
Do you actually pressure cook it?
No, for this recipe you are only using the sauté function.
I added some milk chocolate chips and peanut butter chips. We loved it.
Sounds delicious!