13 Things You Didn't Know You Could Do With Your Slow Cooker

If you're new to the Crock-Pot game, you're probably content with a few staple soup and stew recipes. But once you're ready to elevate your slow-cooker repertoire to the next level, the possibilities are endless. Here, 13 surprising ways to put every mom's favorite kitchen appliance to work — is there anything that this thing can't do?!

01
Apple-Spiced Butter
A Full Measure of Happiness

Apple-Spiced Butter

It may take almost 24 hours to come together, but this Apple Spiced Butter requires virtually no hands-on time.

02
Chex Mix
Gimme Some Oven

Chex Mix

Any mom who has ever planned a party has searched for ways to simplify the prep work, and this Crock-Pot Chex Mix goes straight to the top of our lists.

03
Chicken Wings
Damn Delicious

Chicken Wings

Next time you're hosting a big game day or tailgate party, follow Damn Delicious's lead for making a a batch of Sticky Chicken Wings.

04
Triple Chocolate Brownies
Martha Stewart

Triple Chocolate Brownies

Whip up a batch of ooey, gooey Triple Chocolate Brownies the Martha Stewart way — in your Crock-Pot.

05
Steel-Cut Crock-Pot Oatmeal
The Dinner Mom

Steel-Cut Crock-Pot Oatmeal

Oatmeal sound too involved for school days? Make a big batch of this Crock-Pot oatmeal at the beginning of the week to ensure a hot and hearty breakfast for your family from Monday through Friday.

06
Cupcakes
Damn Delicious

Cupcakes

We'd never heard of this either, but Damn Delicious's Pumpkin Mocha Cupcakes are certainly incentive to give it a try!

07
BBQ Ribs
Pretty Prudent

BBQ Ribs

Barbecue purists may debate the method, but there's no arguing with the efficiency and ease of Crock-Pot ribs.

08
Loaded Baked Potatoes
Romulo Yanes for Martha Stewart

Loaded Baked Potatoes

A little advance prep in the morning means that you'll have the most tender and delicious baked potatoes come dinnertime!

09
Cinnamon Pecan French Toast
Serving Up the Skinny

Cinnamon Pecan French Toast

Crock-Pot french toast is the perfect thing to make if you've got company coming over for weekend brunch.

10
White Chocolate Raspberry and Cream Cake
Betty Crocker

White Chocolate Raspberry and Cream Cake

You can always bake a cake, but did you know that you could also slow-cook it? Betty Crocker's White Chocolate Raspberry and Cream Cake is elegant enough to serve for dinner guests, but easy enough to make for your family on an average weeknight — all it takes is a little advance work.

11
Breakfast Potatoes
Baked by Rachel

Breakfast Potatoes

Throw these easy breakfast potatoes into the slow cooker in the evening, and have a hearty, decadent morning side dish ready to go when you wake up.

12
Hot Chocolate
How Sweet Eats

Hot Chocolate

How Sweet Eats takes the favorite cold-weather drink to entirely new levels with this Coconut Hot Chocolate that you make in the Crock-Pot.

13
Eggplant Parmesan
Flickr user Jean-François Chénier

Eggplant Parmesan

A new way to prep an old-school Italian favorite — try a savory batch of eggplant parm in the Crock-Pot. (It's perfect for Meatless Mondays!)