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I get a kick out of making our holiday gatherings feel extra fun, and whipping up this Grinch-inspired hot chocolate always does the trick. The base is super rich and creamy thanks to white chocolate, and once you mix in the playful green color, everyone goes wild for it. Watching the kids get so excited honestly makes the whole season for me. It's our go-to for cozy Christmas movie marathons.
Unforgettable Holiday Fun
Once this cocoa starts bubbling away in my slow cooker, the house smells amazing and everyone winds up in the kitchen. Whether we're coming in from playing outside or hosting friends for a holiday bash, this drink never fails to make us all happy. It's the perfect way to warm up chilly days and sweeten up winter nights.
Stuff You'll Use
- Food coloring: Blend yellow and green drops to get the iconic shade.
- 2 teaspoons vanilla extract: Just a splash totally lifts the flavor.
- 2 cups white chocolate chips: Go for the good kind so they melt like a dream.
- 1 can sweetened condensed milk: This is my trick for that extra-thick, dreamy texture.
- 2 cups heavy cream: Makes your drink super luxurious and rich.
- 4 cups whole milk: Stick with full-fat for the best creamy results.
How to Make It Magical
- Time to Share
- Keep your cocoa hot and let everyone top their mugs just how they like. Go wild with toppings—anything goes.
- Add That Color
- Once your chocolate is all melty and smooth, start mixing in food coloring until you hit that epic green shade.
- Let It Warm
- Put your slow cooker on low and let everything meld for around 2 hours, stirring here and there so nothing sticks.
- Start the Base
- Toss all the main ingredients—minus the coloring—right into the slow cooker and mix well to get things going.
Extra Festive Ideas
I love crushing candy canes to sprinkle over the top for a minty touch. My kids are all about dropping Christmas marshmallows into their mugs. Sometimes we even coat the rim with red sugar to make every cup look super special.
Leftovers? No Sweat
Stash any extra hot chocolate in a sealed container in the fridge—it'll hold up for a good three days. When you're ready for another mug, just warm it up slowly on the stove or dump it back in the slow cooker. Stir it up and it'll be as velvet-smooth as before.
Hot Chocolate Wisdom
If you want that Grinchy green to really pop, you need both yellow and green coloring. Give it a stir every now and then as it heats so you don't end up with a burned mess. We always set out a batch of these drinks alongside Grinch cookies—it’s a huge hit every time.
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Frequently Asked Questions
- → Why is it bad to use high heat?
Cream can break down when heated too fast. Low heat keeps the texture smooth and rich.
- → How do I make the perfect green color?
Mix a bit of yellow and green food coloring slowly. The yellow brightens the green for that special shade.
- → What's the fix if it turns too thick?
Add milk slowly, about 1/4 cup at a time, and stir until it reaches the texture you like.
- → Is this doable on the stove top?
Sure! Let it simmer on medium heat for 5-10 minutes, stirring often. Just avoid boiling to prevent splitting.
- → How long can I keep it warm?
You can leave it on the warm setting for up to 3 hours. Give it a stir every so often, adding milk if needed to thin.