Imagine walking into your kitchen and being greeted by the warm, irresistible aroma of sweet potatoes slow-cooking to perfection. This effortless crock pot recipe transforms ordinary sweet potatoes into a luxurious, velvety side dish that will have your family and guests begging for seconds. With minimal prep and maximum flavor, these mashed sweet potatoes are about to become your new go-to holiday and weeknight favorite that requires almost no hands-on cooking time!
Prep Time: 10 mins
Cook Time: 4 hrs
Total Time: 4 hrs 10 mins
Cuisine: American
Serves: 6 servings
Ingredients
- 4 large sweet potatoes, peeled and cubed
- 1/2 cup butter
- 1/2 cup milk
- 1/4 cup brown sugar
- 1 teaspoon cinnamon
- Salt to taste
Instructions
- Wash and peel the sweet potatoes, cutting them into uniform 1-inch cubes to ensure even cooking. This will help them break down smoothly in the crock pot.
- Grease the inside of the crock pot with butter or cooking spray to prevent sticking and make cleanup easier.
- Place the cubed sweet potatoes into the crock pot, spreading them evenly across the bottom of the cooking vessel.
- Cut the butter into small pieces and distribute them evenly over the sweet potatoes to help them melt and integrate during cooking.
- Sprinkle brown sugar and cinnamon directly over the sweet potatoes, which will caramelize and enhance the natural sweetness during slow cooking.
- Pour milk over the sweet potatoes, ensuring it is distributed relatively evenly throughout the pot.
- Cover the crock pot and set it to cook on low heat for 4 hours. This slow cooking method will help the sweet potatoes become incredibly tender and develop rich flavors.
- After 4 hours, use a potato masher or electric mixer to mash the sweet potatoes until they reach your desired consistency. Add salt to taste during this process.
- If the mashed sweet potatoes seem too thick, add a little more milk and stir to achieve a creamy texture.
- Serve hot, optionally garnishing with a sprinkle of additional cinnamon or a pat of butter on top.
Tips
- Choose the right sweet potatoes: Select firm, unblemished sweet potatoes with smooth skin for the best texture and flavor.
- Uniform cutting is key: Cut sweet potatoes into 1-inch cubes to ensure even cooking and easy mashing.
- Don't rush the cooking: The slow, low-heat method is crucial for developing deep, rich flavors and creating ultra-tender potatoes.
- Customize your creaminess: Adjust milk quantity to achieve your preferred consistency - more milk for smoother, less for a heartier texture.
- Enhance flavor variations: Experiment with adding a pinch of nutmeg, a drizzle of maple syrup, or a sprinkle of marshmallows for different taste profiles.
- Make-ahead friendly: These mashed sweet potatoes can be prepared in advance and gently reheated, making them perfect for meal prep and holiday planning.
Nutrition Facts
Calories: 250kcal
Carbohydrates: 35g
Protein: 3g
Fat: 12g
Saturated Fat: 7g
Cholesterol: 30mg
