Crockpot Hot Chocolate

Ingredients (9)

• 3 cups whole milk must be whole for the best texture!
• 1 cup half-and-half or heavy cream if you want to make this outrageously decadent
• 6 ounces dark or bittersweet chocolate* coarsely chopped (between 62% and 70%; the darker, the more intense the chocolate flavor will be; I used 66%)
• 3 tablespoons granulated sugar
• 1 tablespoon unsweetened cocoa powder or Dutch process cocoa powder
• 2 teaspoons pure vanilla extract
• 1 teaspoon instant espresso powder or coffee powder optional for a more intense flavor
• Pinch kosher salt
• Toppings of choice: marshmallows whipped cream, a drizzle of caramel, a handful of extra chocolate chips