Candied Yams are an essential part of a traditional Thanksgiving feast, and there are hundreds of recipes using them. If you are short on oven space, the following Slow Cooker Yams and Apples is a delicious and unique choice, using not only the obligatory yams, but also seasonal apples and a sprinkling of fresh cranberries. Since this delicious side dish cooks in the slow cooker on the counter and never needs oven space, it’s perfect. You can make it gluten free, if necessary by substituting 2 tablespoons cornstarch for the flour in the brown sugar mixture.

This recipe is easy; it takes only a few minutes to peel and slice yams (or sweet potatoes if you prefer), peel, core, and slice the apples, and coarsely chop the cranberries. Once cooked, it can be refrigerated in the crock up to three days before the feast, and gently reheated in the slow cooker. This one is a no-brainer, and it will become a favorite side dish, adding a little bite of sweet to the traditional savory foods.

12 Servings

2 pounds sweet potatoes, peeled and sliced into 1/4" slices
salt and freshly ground black pepper
4 medium cooking apples, peeled, cored, and sliced
1 cup fresh cranberries, rinsed and coarsely chopped

1 cup brown sugar
3 tablespoons flour
1 teaspoon English Mixed Spice, or pumpkin pie spice
1/4 cup melted butter

1. Spray the crock of a 4-6 quart slow cooker with non-stick spray.
2. Layer half of the sweet potatoes; sprinkle with salt and pepper.
3. Spread half of the apples over, then half of the cranberries.
4. Mix the brown sugar, flour, and spices; sprinkle half of the mixture over.
5. Repeat, ending up with cranberries and the brown sugar mixture on top.
6. Drizzle the butter over brown sugar mixture.
7. Cover the slow cooker, set to low, and let cook 6-8 hours or until the sweet potatoes are tender. During the last hour, stir the top a little and spoon the juices over from the bottom; tilt the lid to evaporate any excess moisture.

Amount Per Serving
Calories 210 Calories from Fat 39
Percent Total Calories From: Fat 19% Protein 3% Carb. 78%

Nutrient Amount per Serving
Total Fat 4 g
Saturated Fat 2 g
Cholesterol 10 mg
Sodium 52 mg
Total Carbohydrate 41 g
Dietary Fiber 2 g
Sugars 0 g
Protein 2 g

Vitamin A 308% Vitamin C 37% Calcium 0% Iron 5%