I would like to make my favorite desserts this holiday season, but I know the cooking is going to be more a task of strategy than of cooking. Juggling desserts in and out of the oven is a struggle. So, this year I've decided to develop some crockpot dessert recipes to free up my oven for the main course and avoid all the struggle of shuffling dishes around. Now my turkey can stay in the oven where it belongs!
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 Betty: You always want this dessert to come out of the oven just before you serve it because when you top this hot dessert with a dollop of ice cream or whipped cream it turns heavenly! You can use similar ingredients, but I add a touch more butter. You'll cook it on LOW for about two hours, maybe a little less if the apples start to get mushy. Time it so you're serving it right after it's cooked and still nice and bubbly hot.
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.
Chocolate Peanut Butter Brownies: A simple pan of brownies is okay, but a really chocolatey brownie dessert swirled together with peanut butter is the perfect holiday treat. I make this dessert with brownie mix, but it's not cut into traditional squares like brownies. This is actually spooned out and into dessert bowls. Do this while the dessert is still hot so you can put a scoop of ice cream or a dollop of whipped topping on top and it will get all melty. Very tasty!
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.
Pecan Crust Cheesecake: One of my favorite desserts is cheesecake. It's fun using what can be considered a mini oven. Basically, you use the same recipe you normally would. The important thing to keep in mind is you'll be using a 7" springform pan so you need to make sure it will fit . A 5 or 6 quart size is usually big enough, but measure to be sure. Then, make a simple graham cracker crust with some finely chopped pecans added, form the crust in the bottom and up the sides a little in your pan. Make the filling according to the recipe you normally use, then fill your pan.
The pan needs to be supported off the bottom a little, so you will want to insert a small rack into the bottom. If you don't have a rack you can devise a little "donut" out of some aluminum foil by just rolling up a bunch and forming a circle. Be sure when you put the pan in, that the pan does not sit directly on the bottom. This cheesecake is cooked on high for a couple hours. Then, the heat is turned off and left covered for about an hour more. Once you can handle the pan, you can lift it out and place it on a rack to cool completely. Remove the springform pan from the cheesecake and you're done. Cheesecake is served either room temperature or cold so you can make this a day or so ahead if you'd like. Don't forget to refrigerate any leftover cheesecake.
If you've been struggling year after year trying to arrange cooking times in your oven, this may be the perfect solution for you to leave your dinner cooking away in your oven undisturbed! If you don't want to sacrifice any of your favorite desserts, get out your crockpot and re-create your old dessert recipes into new crockpot dessert recipes. Who knows, you may end up with some new favorites this holiday season!
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 Betty: You always want this dessert to come out of the oven just before you serve it because when you top this hot dessert with a dollop of ice cream or whipped cream it turns heavenly! You can use similar ingredients, but I add a touch more butter. You'll cook it on LOW for about two hours, maybe a little less if the apples start to get mushy. Time it so you're serving it right after it's cooked and still nice and bubbly hot.
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.
Chocolate Peanut Butter Brownies: A simple pan of brownies is okay, but a really chocolatey brownie dessert swirled together with peanut butter is the perfect holiday treat. I make this dessert with brownie mix, but it's not cut into traditional squares like brownies. This is actually spooned out and into dessert bowls. Do this while the dessert is still hot so you can put a scoop of ice cream or a dollop of whipped topping on top and it will get all melty. Very tasty!
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.
Pecan Crust Cheesecake: One of my favorite desserts is cheesecake. It's fun using what can be considered a mini oven. Basically, you use the same recipe you normally would. The important thing to keep in mind is you'll be using a 7" springform pan so you need to make sure it will fit . A 5 or 6 quart size is usually big enough, but measure to be sure. Then, make a simple graham cracker crust with some finely chopped pecans added, form the crust in the bottom and up the sides a little in your pan. Make the filling according to the recipe you normally use, then fill your pan.
The pan needs to be supported off the bottom a little, so you will want to insert a small rack into the bottom. If you don't have a rack you can devise a little "donut" out of some aluminum foil by just rolling up a bunch and forming a circle. Be sure when you put the pan in, that the pan does not sit directly on the bottom. This cheesecake is cooked on high for a couple hours. Then, the heat is turned off and left covered for about an hour more. Once you can handle the pan, you can lift it out and place it on a rack to cool completely. Remove the springform pan from the cheesecake and you're done. Cheesecake is served either room temperature or cold so you can make this a day or so ahead if you'd like. Don't forget to refrigerate any leftover cheesecake.
If you've been struggling year after year trying to arrange cooking times in your oven, this may be the perfect solution for you to leave your dinner cooking away in your oven undisturbed! If you don't want to sacrifice any of your favorite desserts, get out your crockpot and re-create your old dessert recipes into new crockpot dessert recipes. Who knows, you may end up with some new favorites this holiday season!
About the Author:
Crock Pot recipes for desserts can and should be tweaked to fit your family's tastes. During the holiday season, get your crock pot out and experiement a little with the best slowcooker cooking methods and your own favorite recipes.
