Slow Cooker Maple & Brown Sugar Glazed Carrots
These Slow Cooker Maple & Brown Sugar Glazed Carrots are the ultimate holiday side dish—sweet, buttery, and perfectly spiced. With baby carrots cooked to tender perfection in a luscious maple and brown sugar glaze, this recipe is perfect for Thanksgiving, Christmas, or any festive occasion. Plus, it’s incredibly easy and hands-free!
Why You’ll Love This Recipe
This recipe is a holiday staple, and here’s why:
- Stress-Free Cooking: Prepared entirely in the slow cooker, freeing up oven and stove space.
- Rich, Comforting Flavors: The maple syrup and brown sugar create a sweet glaze with warm hints of cinnamon.
- Perfect for Sharing: Great for potlucks, gatherings, and family dinners.
- Make-Ahead Friendly: Ideal for prepping in advance and reheating.
Ingredients for Maple Glazed Carrots
- Baby Carrots: A convenient and tender base for the dish. You can also use peeled, chopped whole carrots.
- Maple Syrup: Real maple syrup for the best flavor, though substitutions like honey or pancake syrup work too.
- Brown Sugar: Adds a deep sweetness to complement the maple syrup.
- Butter: Salted butter adds richness and balances the sweetness.
- Cinnamon: Brings warm, cozy fall flavor.
- Salt: Enhances the flavors and balances the sweetness.
Step-by-Step Instructions
- Prep the Carrots
- Grab those baby carrots and tumble them into your 6-quart slow cooker. I like to give them a quick rinse first just to make sure they're perfectly clean.
- Season with Love
- Sprinkle a nice pinch of salt evenly over the carrots then add that warming cinnamon and rich brown sugar. Give everything a good toss until each carrot is coated in all that goodness.
- Add the Sweet Touch
- Now drizzle that gorgeous maple syrup all over making sure it gets into all the nooks and crannies. Spread your carrots into an even layer then dot the top with those butter cubes they'll melt into pure magic.
- Let Them Cook
- Cover and set your slow cooker depending on your timeline - "high" for a quicker 3-hour cook or "low" if you've got 5-6 hours to spare. If you're around give them a gentle stir once or twice to help everything cook evenly.
- Perfect the Glaze
- Want that glaze extra thick and glossy? Either pop the lid off for the last half hour of cooking or pour all those amazing juices into a saucepan and let them bubble away until they're syrupy. Pour this liquid gold back over your carrots just before serving.
Tips for Success
- Choose Real Maple Syrup: For authentic flavor, real maple syrup is best. If unavailable, increase brown sugar for sweetness.
- Fresh Carrots: Use fresh whole carrots peeled and cut into strips or coins for a more rustic presentation.
- Don’t Skip the Glaze: Thickening the glaze adds a rich, glossy finish to the dish.
- Keep Warm: Use the slow cooker’s “warm” setting to maintain perfect serving temperature for gatherings.
Substitutions and Variations
Dairy-Free: Replace butter with butter-flavored coconut oil or a dairy-free alternative.
Refined Sugar-Free: Swap brown sugar for coconut sugar or additional maple syrup.
Honey Option: Substitute maple syrup with honey for a different sweet note.
Nuts for Crunch: Add toasted pecans or walnuts before serving for added texture.
A Perfect Holiday Side
These Slow Cooker Maple & Brown Sugar Glazed Carrots bring irresistible flavor to any table. Sweet, buttery, and spiced just right, they pair beautifully with roasted turkey, ham, or any festive main dish. Whether for a cozy family dinner or a holiday gathering, this side dish is sure to become a new tradition.
Frequently Asked Questions
- → Can I use regular carrots?
Yes, peel and cut into strips or coins - cook until tender.
- → What can replace maple syrup?
Use honey, corn syrup or increase brown sugar to 3/4 cup.
- → Why thicken glaze separately?
Saucepan method works better than slow cooker for thickening.
- → Can I make these ahead?
Keep warm in slow cooker up to 2 hours on low setting.
- → Why stir during cooking?
Helps carrots cook evenly and distribute glaze.