Slow Cooker Candied Carrots 4 Ing. A simple side that everyone will say yes is dropping butter slices over raw baby carrots, and it only requires 2 other ingredients that have to be left in a slow cooker.
My favorite kind of side on a weeknight is slow cooker 4- ingredients candied carrots, prepared by simply placing butter slices on top of the raw baby carrots, and leaving them. It is the definition of painless, and it is a yes in my house and particularly on those hectic work days where I would be more willing to use the leftover strength on the actual meal (or even just sit down).
All the work is done by the slow cooker, and plain baby carrots, butter, brown sugar and a little bit of salt are turned into glossy, savory-sweet carrots that make you think you put so much more effort into them than you actually did.
Servings: 6
Ingredients
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raw baby carrots → 2 pounds
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unsalted butter, cut into very thin slices. → 1/2 cup (1 stick)
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packed light brown sugar → 1/2 cup
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kosher salt → 1/2 teaspoon
Slow Cooker Candied Carrots 4 Ing
Slow Cooker Candied Carrots: Directions
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Put the uncooked baby carrots in a flat bed in the base of a 4- to 6-quart slow cooker.
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Sprinkle the carrots with the brown sugar uniformly.
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Sprinkle the kosher salt all over the brown sugar and carrots.
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Place the butter in thin slices and drop the butter pieces onto the top of the raw carrots in baby proportions and cover as much as you can. This is the most important step that allows the butter to melt gradually with the carrots when they are cooking.
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Put the lid on the top of the slow cooker and cook under HIGH 3 to 3 1/2 hours or under LOW 5 to 6 hours, until the carrots are tender when pierced with a fork.
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When the carrots are tender, peel off the lid and stir it carefully so that all the carrots are covered with buttery, candied glaze. Add some more salt stirring to taste.
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Candied carrots can be served directly into the slow cooker and more glaze should be spooned on top of each individual serving.
Variations & Tips
In case you want a little lightness in your sweetness, add 1 to 2 teaspoons of fresh lemon juice at the last moment to cut the richness. To add a cinnamon fall touch 1/4 teaspoon ground cinnamon or pumpkin pie spice may be included with the brown sugar. Dark brown sugar would also be a good substitute to give it a more molasses-like taste. In case all you have is ordinary carrots, peel them and cut the carrots into 1/2-inch thick coins and proceed with the same. To make it less sweet be sure to cut down the brown sugar to 1/3 cup and sprinkle it with the garlic powder 1/2 teaspoon when sprinkling on the salt. To prepare ahead of time, you may place the raw baby carrots, brown sugar, salt, and slices of butter into the slow cooker insert, cover it, and place in the refrigerator (provided that your insert can hold the hot liquid, and it is also fridge-safe) up to 24 hours; and then one evening, just place the insert in the base and turn it on. Reheat Leftovers can be heated well in the microwave or with a splash of water in the stovetop to loosen the glaze.
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