Dessert Crockpot Recipes for the Holidays

Estimated reading time: 8 minutes

Slow cookers are great for all sorts of meals, including desserts like:

• Pecan Pie 
• Crockpot Fudge 
• Maple Pumpkin Chex Mix
• Chocolate Peanut Clusters
• Monkey Bread 
• Hot Chocolate

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Desserts are arguably the best part of the holidays. It’s a moment of the year when everyone feels like they can indulge their sweet tooth. Although desserts are a great end cap to a meal, oftentimes they can be stressful to make. However, this list of slow cooker-friendly desserts is sure to please and allows you to throw them together easily.

Pecan Pie

To start strong, let’s look at a Southern classic. Pecan pie is a traditional dessert for many holidays in the South. Its ooey-gooey filling is a favorite of so many. Now, you can make it in a crockpot. Follow this recipe from Spicy Southern Kitchen for an easy take on pecan pie.

Ingredients: 

• 1 refrigerated pie crust 
• 3 eggs
• 1 cup sugar 
• ⅔ cup dark corn syrup 
• ⅓ cup melted butter
• ⅛ teaspoon salt 
• 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
• 1 ½ cup chopped pecans

Instructions: 

Spray the inside of your crockpot with cooking spray, and place the pie crust in the crockpot. Even if you have an oval slow cooker, it will still work. Stir the remaining ingredients together, excluding the pecans. Once that is well combined, fold in the pecans, but be sure to leave some out to top the pie. Pour the filling into the crust, and place pecans decoratively on top. Cover the crockpot and cook on high for two and a half to three hours. 

Crockpot Fudge

Fudge and the holidays go together seamlessly. So many people make it one of their many holiday candies. However, fudge is sometimes tricky to make and can take some skill. This crockpot fudge recipe from Eating on a Dime makes it so easy! With just three ingredients, give it a try this holiday season!

Ingredients: 

• 14 oz. sweetened condensed milk
• 2 12-oz. bags of semisweet chocolate chips
• 1 teaspoon vanilla extract

Instructions: 

Spray your crockpot with cooking spray, and then add all the ingredients to the pot. Cover the slow cooker with a dish towel and put the lid on top to help soak up the extra moisture. Cook on low for one and a half to two hours. Be sure to stir every 15 minutes. Once it has all melted together, line a 9×9 baking pan with parchment paper. Spray the paper with cooking spray and pour the melted mixture into the dish. Spread it evenly and gently tap on the counter to eliminate any air bubbles. Let the dish sit for at least two hours to set. Cut into bite-size pieces and enjoy.

Maple Pumpkin Chex Mix

There is nothing better than a sweet little snack. This maple pumpkin Chex mix stretches over many more meals than just dessert. It’s the perfect thing to snack on during a holiday move, to put out at a dinner party, or just something to keep all to yourself to satisfy that after-dinner sweet tooth. Plus, it is customizable! You can switch the following ingredients for anything within that category. For example, Averie Cooks says that you could use cranberries, cherries, or raisins for the dried fruit—even mixing one cup each of two.

Ingredients: 

• 6 cups of Chex cereal
• 2 cups of dried fruit
• 2 cups nuts
• 2 cups pretzels 
• 1 ½ chopped graham crackers, diced in 1-inch pieces
• ½ cup melted butter
• ½ maple syrup
• ¼ cup packed light brown sugar 
• 1 – 2 tablespoons pumpkin pie spice 
• 1 tablespoon vanilla extract 
• Salt to taste

Instructions: 

Add the cereal, dried fruit, nuts, pretzels, and graham crackers to your slow cooker. Combine the melted butter, maple syrup, brown sugar, pumpkin pie spice, vanilla, and salt. Whisk to combine. You can decide whether you’d like to use one or two tablespoons of pumpkin pie spice based on how pronounced you’d like the flavor. Slowly drizzle the liquid over the dry ingredients and stir to combine. Cook on high for two hours, stirring every 20 minutes to prevent burning on the bottom. You’ll know it’s done when no more liquid is at the bottom. Spread the mixture on a baking sheet, allowing it to sit for two hours.

Chocolate Peanut Clusters

This peanut cluster from Desserts on a Dime is truly divine. It is a simple recipe that tastes like something in a handmade dessert shop. What’s the best thing about this recipe? It makes 50 servings! Just a tiny amount of ingredients for a big payoff. This makes it the perfect candy to make and take to all holiday parties! There’s always plenty to go around, and they’re sure to put a smile on everyone’s face.

Ingredients: 

• 2 16-oz. containers of salted peanuts
• 12 oz. semisweet chocolate chips
• 12 oz. milk chocolate chips 
• 12 oz. peanut butter chips
• 24 oz. white almond bark

Instructions: 

Layer all of the ingredients in the slow cooker. Cook on low for one hour, stirring every 20 minutes. Once all the ingredients are melted, stir thoroughly to combine. Use a spoon or ice cream scoop to scoop mounds of the clusters onto a cookie sheet lined with wax paper. Let the clusters sit in the refrigerator until the chocolate has set, about one to two hours.

Monkey Bread

Who says you can’t have dessert for breakfast? This monkey bread recipe would be fantastic for holiday mornings! The cinnamon smell wafting through the house can create such memorable moments. It’s also a great way to set it and forget it so you can be in the moment, not worrying too much about cooking. If that sounds up your alley, check out this crockpot monkey bread from Crazy for Crust.

Ingredients: 

• 2 cans of cinnamon rolls 
• ¼ cup granulated sugar 
• 1 teaspoon cinnamon 
• ½ cup brown sugar, packed
• ½ cup melted butter

Instructions: 

Open the cans of cinnamon rolls and cut each roll into six pieces. Be sure to set the icing aside. Add the granulated sugar, cinnamon, and cinnamon roll pieces to a gallon ziplock bag. Seal and shake the bag to coat the pieces in cinnamon sugar. In a separate bowl, combine the brown sugar and melted butter. Spray your slow cooker with cooking spray, and add the coated cinnamon roll pieces. Pour the butter mixture on top. Place a paper towel over the top and add the lid to help capture moisture. You can cook this on low for two hours or on high for an hour and a half. Either way, be sure to check it halfway through to make sure it is cooking evenly. Once done, drizzle the icing over the top of the now-baked rolls.

Hot Chocolate

The pièce de résistance of any holiday is hot chocolate. Hot chocolate is a beloved beverage that truly makes the holiday season. Instant packets are easy, but this crockpot hot chocolate is the best you’ll ever have. It’s great for serving at parties or with a large family, plus it can be customized. It is rich, sweet, and decadent. Check out how to make the best hot chocolate from Wishes and Dishes.

Ingredients: 

• 1 ⅕ cups heavy whipping cream 
• 1 14-oz. can sweetened condensed milk
• 6 cups milk 
• 1 teaspoon vanilla 
• 2 cups milk chocolate chips

Ingredients: 

Stir all the ingredients together in the slow cooker and cook on low for two hours. Stir occasionally to make sure the chocolate chips don’t stick. Once the mixture is heated through and hot, switch it to warm to serve. Garnish with your favorite hot chocolate toppings, like marshmallows, peppermint chips, or whipped cream.

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Desserts are a great way to end a night, especially during the holiday season. These crockpot recipes are a fabulous way to make dessert while also having the ease of being present and out of the kitchen. Holidays and desserts go hand-in-hand, so be sure to try one of these mouthwatering recipes.