1. In a 3 1/2- or 4-qt. slow cooker combine half-and-half, heavy cream, and chocolate. Cover and cook on low 4 hours or high 2 hours, vigorously whisking once halfway through.

2. Whisk well. Stir in vanilla. Serve immediately or keep warm, covered, on warm or low up to 2 hours. If desired, top servings with marshmallows or whipped cream.

Raspberry Hot Chocolate

Prepare as directed in Step 1. Stir in 1/2 cup raspberry beverage flavoring syrup or 1/4 cup raspberry liqueur with the vanilla. If desired, top servings with whipped cream, raspberries, and chocolate curls.Nutrition analysis per serving: same as above except 460 calories, 30 g carbohydrate, 25 g total sugar

Spicy Hot Chocolate

Prepare as directed, except add 1 tsp. each ground ancho chile pepper and ground cinnamon and 1/4 tsp. cayenne pepper to mixture in Step 1. If desired, top servings with whipped cream and additional ground ancho pepper and/or cinnamon. Nutrition analysis per serving: same as above except 431 calories, 23 g carbohydrate, 22% Vitamin A, 2% Vitamin C

Pumpkin Spice Hot Chocolate

Prepare as directed, except add 3 Tbsp. canned pumpkin and 2 tsp. pumpkin pie spice to mixture in Step 1. If desired, top servings with whipped cream and broken gingersnaps.Nutrition analysis per serving: same as above except 432 calories, 23 g carbohydrate, 32% Vitamin A, 2% Vitamin C, 86 mg sodium

Joyful Almond Hot Chocolate

Prepare as directed in Step 1, except substitute one 14-oz. can unsweetened coconut milk (not light) for 2 cups of the half-and-half. Stir in 1 to 1 1/2 tsp. almond extract with the vanilla. If desired, coat rims of mugs with toasted coconut and top servings with toasted sliced almonds.Nutrition analysis per serving: same as above except 437 calories, 5 g protein,. 21 g carbohydrate, 39 g total fat (26 g sat. fat), 74 mg cholesterol, 15 g total sugar, 18% Vitamin A, 77 mg sodium, 10% Calcium, 14% Iron

Peanut Butter Hot Chocolate

If desired, microwave 3 Tbsp. creamy peanut butter in 10 second intervals until melted and smooth, stirring after each interval. Prepare as directed, except whisk in the melted peanut butter or 3 Tbsp. chocolate-hazelnut spread with the vanilla. If desired, top servings with whipped cream, chopped peanuts, and cut-up chocolate-covered peanut butter cups. Nutrition analysis per serving: same as above except 454 calories, 23 g carbohydrate, 40 g total fat (25 g sat. fat), 3 g fiber, 102 mg sodium

Espresso Hot Chocolate

Prepare as directed in Step 1. Stir in 1 to 2 Tbsp. instant espresso coffee powder with the vanilla. If desired, top servings with whipped cream and chopped chocolate-covered coffee beans.Nutrition analysis per serving: same as above except 431 calories, 23 g carbohydrate