Does shuffling around your dishes in and out of the oven get complicated during a big holiday meal? We like to have several desserts, so that usually means something's got to come out of the oven so the desserts can start going in. Why not put your crockpot to work for you this year? Transform your old favorite dessert recipes into crockpot dessert recipes and free up your oven for what it was meant for... the turkey and Green Bean Casserole!
So, how am I going to turn my old favorite dessert recipes into crockpot dessert recipes? I chose three of my family's favorite desserts to make this year in my crockpot in order to free up my oven space and stove top for other dishes. Let's see how we can put my crockpot to work!
Apple Crisp: This dessert is one where the timing is most important. You want to serve this dessert hot with a little scoop of ice cream or whipped topping. The melting topping is what makes this dessert wonderful! Use your basic recipe, but add a touch more butter, then cook it on low for a couple hours or until the apples get soft, but not all mushy. Figure out your timing so that you turn off the heat just before serving.
You can add a crunchy topping just before serving if you wish. Just mix the ingredients together in a small saucepan and heat until butter is incorporated. Sprinkle on your mixture either just before serving or after you scoop the apples into dessert bowls.
Peanut Butter Chocolate Brownies: Regular brownies are good, but this chocolate brownie dessert with peanut butter swirled in is a special treat. Very moist and yummy! This dessert is made with brownie mix, but it's spooned into dessert bowls, not cut into squares. Serve while the dessert is still hot so you can add some ice cream or whipped topping and it gets all nice and melty!
Top this brownie dessert with some sprinkles of Reese's Pieces or other candy topping that you like. Cut a peanut butter cup in quarters and garnish with one quarter for each serving. You want to time the cooking and serving of this so that you are ready to scoop up your dessert just minutes after you shut off the heat.
Classic Pecan Cheesecake: If you have a favorite cheesecake recipe you might as well use it. I make a graham cracker crust with some finely chopped pecans added. The filling I use is pretty classic. The tricky part of this dessert is that you'll have to make sure a 7" springform pan will fit. Usually a 5 quart or 6 quart size will work, but make sure before you begin.
You'll need to put a small rack in the bottom to hold the springform pan off the bottom. If you don't have a rack that fits, just pull a good length of aluminum foil off the roll and form a donut shape out of it to support the pan. Put that on the bottom and put your pan in. Just be sure the pan is at least an inch off the bottom. Use enough foil to get a good support. You want to cook your cheesecake on high for several hours, then shut off the heat and let it sit in there for another hour or until it's cool enough to handle. Then you'll let it cool completely on a rack on the counter before you remove the pan from the cheesecake. Because you serve cheesecake either room temperature or cold, you can actually get this prepared ahead of time. Remember to refrigerate any leftovers... like you're going to have any!
You shouldn't have to spend your holiday shuffling food all over your kitchen! Leave your main dishes alone to cook in peace and quiet and turn to your trusty crockpot for the answer to your struggles. Rather than having to sacrifice your favorite holiday treats for lack of room in your oven, put your crockpot to work for you. Re-creating your old favorite dessert recipes into new crockpot dessert recipes will save you time and stress, and will get everything on the table as planned... hot, bubbly, and delicious! Sounds good to me!
So, how am I going to turn my old favorite dessert recipes into crockpot dessert recipes? I chose three of my family's favorite desserts to make this year in my crockpot in order to free up my oven space and stove top for other dishes. Let's see how we can put my crockpot to work!
Apple Crisp: This dessert is one where the timing is most important. You want to serve this dessert hot with a little scoop of ice cream or whipped topping. The melting topping is what makes this dessert wonderful! Use your basic recipe, but add a touch more butter, then cook it on low for a couple hours or until the apples get soft, but not all mushy. Figure out your timing so that you turn off the heat just before serving.
You can add a crunchy topping just before serving if you wish. Just mix the ingredients together in a small saucepan and heat until butter is incorporated. Sprinkle on your mixture either just before serving or after you scoop the apples into dessert bowls.
Peanut Butter Chocolate Brownies: Regular brownies are good, but this chocolate brownie dessert with peanut butter swirled in is a special treat. Very moist and yummy! This dessert is made with brownie mix, but it's spooned into dessert bowls, not cut into squares. Serve while the dessert is still hot so you can add some ice cream or whipped topping and it gets all nice and melty!
Top this brownie dessert with some sprinkles of Reese's Pieces or other candy topping that you like. Cut a peanut butter cup in quarters and garnish with one quarter for each serving. You want to time the cooking and serving of this so that you are ready to scoop up your dessert just minutes after you shut off the heat.
Classic Pecan Cheesecake: If you have a favorite cheesecake recipe you might as well use it. I make a graham cracker crust with some finely chopped pecans added. The filling I use is pretty classic. The tricky part of this dessert is that you'll have to make sure a 7" springform pan will fit. Usually a 5 quart or 6 quart size will work, but make sure before you begin.
You'll need to put a small rack in the bottom to hold the springform pan off the bottom. If you don't have a rack that fits, just pull a good length of aluminum foil off the roll and form a donut shape out of it to support the pan. Put that on the bottom and put your pan in. Just be sure the pan is at least an inch off the bottom. Use enough foil to get a good support. You want to cook your cheesecake on high for several hours, then shut off the heat and let it sit in there for another hour or until it's cool enough to handle. Then you'll let it cool completely on a rack on the counter before you remove the pan from the cheesecake. Because you serve cheesecake either room temperature or cold, you can actually get this prepared ahead of time. Remember to refrigerate any leftovers... like you're going to have any!
You shouldn't have to spend your holiday shuffling food all over your kitchen! Leave your main dishes alone to cook in peace and quiet and turn to your trusty crockpot for the answer to your struggles. Rather than having to sacrifice your favorite holiday treats for lack of room in your oven, put your crockpot to work for you. Re-creating your old favorite dessert recipes into new crockpot dessert recipes will save you time and stress, and will get everything on the table as planned... hot, bubbly, and delicious! Sounds good to me!
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Get out your favorite crockpot dessert recipes for the holidays, search for a few new recipes, and brush up on your slowcooker cooking methods! It's time to get started and get serious saving money with your slowcooker!
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