Slow Cooker Mint Hot Chocolate

Ingredients:

• 3 cups sifted powdered sugar
• 2 tbsp. unsweetened cocoa powder
• 12 cups whole milk
• 2 tsp vanilla extract
• 1 teaspoon coarse salt
• 220 g dark chocolate, finely chopped
• 24 red and white peppermint candies, crushed (about 1 cup), for serving
• 3 cups mini marshmallows, for serving
• 2 cups peppermint schnapps, for serving

Preparation:

1. In a 6-quart slow cooker, combine the sugar and cocoa powder. Turn the slow cooker on high and gradually whisk in the milk until there are no lumps. Add the vanilla and salt, cover, and cook for 1.5 hours. The sugar and cocoa powder should be completely dissolved.
2. Stir in the chopped chocolate little by little until completely melted. Close the lid and simmer for another 30 minutes, until the hot chocolate thickens.
3. Turn the slow cooker to auto-keep warm and serve the hot chocolate with bowls of crushed candy canes and mini marshmallows, and a small decanter of schnapps, if using.
4. To serve, place a couple of spoonfuls of candy canes into a mug of hot chocolate and let them melt, or add 2 tablespoons of schnapps and garnish with mini marshmallows.