22 Healthy Holiday Crock-Pot Recipes

Posted December 14, 2014

Hosting a holiday party this year? Between hanging festive decorations, stocking up on booze, and cleaning the house, you’ve got plenty of work to do before it’s time to let your hair down and put on a Santa cap. Let us help make the party prep a bit easier (without using elves, we promise!).

Instead of slaving away over a hot stove all day, make that slow cooker do all the heavy work. From toasty drinks to keep Jack Frost from nipping at your nose to easy snacks and appetizers to desserts, we’ve got plenty of Crock-Pot recipes to make your holiday party prep as easy as (mince) pie.

Drinks

Photo: Claire Gallam/The Realistic Nutritionist

1. Crock-Pot Hot Cocoa
This party-friendly hot drink just looks indulgent. In reality, it’s made with low-fat sweetened condensed milk, light cream, and skim milk (and chocolate, of course). Make a big batch in your slow cooker and then serve with bowls of toppings (whipped cream, dark chocolate chips, coconut, marshmallows, etc.) so guests can customize their own mug!

2. Mulled Cider
This easy, wintry drink is perfect for kids and adults alike. To make a non-alcoholic version, combine brown sugar, cider, allspice, cloves, cinnamon, and lemon peel. Adjust the sweetness by starting with half the brown sugar and adding more as you go according to taste. If you’re on the naughty list, though, add a cup of dark rum or brandy.

3. Gingerbread Latte
No need to wait in line and shell out five dollars at the local coffee shop to get this holiday favorite. With vegan creamer, non-dairy milk, and plenty of spices, this rich, warm drink is perfect for guests with allergies or food intolerances. Keep the sugar content in check by going easy on molasses and sweetener.

4. Warm Pomegranate Spiced Wine
This warm, boozy bev will chase chills away as soon as guests step in the door. Combine pomegranate juice, red wine, apple brandy, and spices in the slow cooker and let it all stew together on high for about an hour.

5. Wassail
Both a spicy cider drink and a classic Christmas song, this warm fruity beverage will warm you up from the inside out. Make this easy recipe by combining apple cider, orange juice, hibiscus tea, cinnamon sticks, cloves, juniper berries, ginger, an apple, and an orange in the slow cooker. Stick the top on and cook on high heat for three to four hours.

Appetizers

Source:: Greatist

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