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Crock Pot Glazed Sweet Potatoes make a tasty, no-fuss side that's perfect for holiday meals or family get-togethers. This simple dish transforms fresh sweet potatoes into soft, mouthwatering bites swimming in a sweet mixture of butter, brown sugar, cinnamon and cloves. Free up your oven and wow everyone with this crowd-pleaser!
What Makes This Dish Special
When I first tried making glazed sweet potatoes in my crock pot, it totally changed my holiday cooking game. It doesn't just save valuable oven room - the slow, gentle heat creates the most amazing sweet sauce while keeping the potatoes just the right softness. And since they stay warm in the pot throughout the meal, I don't have to rush around reheating things when we're ready to eat.
Ingredients List
- Sweet Potatoes: Pick Jewel, Beauregard, or Garnet types for their extra sweetness and smooth, velvety texture.
- Butter: Gives the sauce its luxurious richness.
- Brown Sugar: Either dark or light works for that deep, caramel sweetness.
- Molasses: Brings extra depth and complexity to your sauce.
- Vanilla Extract: Adds subtle warmth and aroma.
- Spices: Cinnamon and cloves create those cozy, holiday flavors.
- Salt: Cuts through sweetness for perfect balance.
- Slurry: Water and cornstarch to give your sauce the right thickness.
Step By Step Instructions
- Get Your Sweet Potatoes Ready
- Peel sweet potatoes and cut them into rounds about 1-inch thick. Put them in your 6-quart crock pot.
- Create Your Sauce
- Mix water and cornstarch in a small bowl to form a slurry. Add melted butter, molasses, vanilla, cinnamon, cloves, and salt. Stir well and pour over your potato pieces, making sure they're all coated.
- Let Them Cook
- Put the lid on and cook on HIGH setting for 4 hours. Don't stir them during cooking.
- Finish With Sugar
- Once cooking time is done, carefully fold in your brown sugar. Let everything sit for a few minutes so the sugar can melt into the sauce.
- Ready To Eat
- Enjoy while warm as a tasty side dish. Add marshmallows on top if you want something extra special.
Tips For Success
After years of making these for family dinners, I've found that fresh sweet potatoes really do taste better and cook nicer than canned ones. My number one trick is to keep your hands off during cooking time - don't stir! This helps the potatoes stay whole instead of turning mushy. For anyone who likes marshmallows, just toss them on at the end and let them get soft under the lid without extra heat.
Tasty Twists
I'm always playing around with this basic recipe. Some days I'll throw in some nutmeg or use maple syrup instead of brown sugar. When we're celebrating something big, I'll finish them with mini marshmallows or sprinkle chopped pecans on top for some crunch. And on nights when I'm feeling fancy, a little splash of bourbon gives these sweet potatoes an amazing Southern flavor.
Leftovers Guide
These sweet potatoes stay good in your fridge for about five days if you keep them in a container with a tight lid. When you want to eat them again, just warm them up in your oven at 350°F for around 20 minutes. If you're in a rush, the microwave works too - just heat them in short 30-second bursts and stir between each one so they heat evenly all the way through.
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Frequently Asked Questions
- → How long can I keep them warm?
You can leave them on warm for about 2 to 3 hours. Stir now and then. Add a little water if they get too thick.
- → Can I toss marshmallows on top?
Sure! After they're cooked and you've added the sugar, sprinkle on marshmallows. Keep them warm until the marshmallows melt.
- → What's the best way to store leftovers?
Put them in a sealed container and stick them in the fridge for up to 5 days.
- → Why does sugar go in later?
Adding it later keeps it from burning or getting too sticky during the long cook time.
- → Why keep the lid shut while cooking?
Leaving the lid on ensures the yams cook evenly by holding the heat and moisture inside.
Conclusion
This crockpot dish makes sugary yams an effortless favorite for holiday meals. All it takes is 15 minutes to prepare, and in 4 hours, it's ready to serve.