When preparing multiple recipes for Easter, oven space and time can be tight, so a slow cooker is the perfect tool to simplify the task. Traditional recipes often require long cooking times, and with a slow cooker, there's no need to constantly supervise. These 5 slow cooker recipes will certainly help you save time, while ensuring delicious and comforting dishes for your Easter feast..

Old-Fashioned Slow Cooker Pea Soup

Pea soup is a comforting classic, and prepared in the slow cooker, it diffuses a welcoming aroma throughout the house.

  • Start by soaking yellow split peas in a large volume of cold water for at least 12 hours. Once soaked, drain the peas, rinse them, and place them in the slow cooker.
  • Add a ham bone and chopped onion, celery, carrots, and garlic to the slow cooker.
  • Add a bay leaf and black pepper and cover the slow cooker.
  • Let it cook on low for about 6 hours, and if you want to thicken the soup, blend about half of it, taking care to remove the bay leaf.
Slow Cooker Pea Soup for Easter Dinner

Slow Cooker Cretons

To accompany your meal, what's better than a good slice of baguette spread with homemade cretons? This classic version, rich in flavor, is very easy to prepare in the slow cooker, and you'll have leftovers that you can freeze for delicious lunches in the coming weeks.

  • Start by heating 1 XNUMX/XNUMX cups of chicken broth in a large saucepan.
  • Add 1 kg of lean minced pork l’épicier, 1 chopped onion and 1 chopped garlic clove, salt, pepper and 1 tbsp. of creton or pie spice.
  • Let it cook for a few minutes over low heat, stirring frequently, then add 2 tsp of fat artisanal bacon from l’épicier or shortening.
  • Continue cooking, stirring, until the pork is cooked through, then add the crumbs from 4 slices of bread, diced, and mix well.
  • Transfer everything to the slow cooker, including the liquid, and cook for 2 hours on low, without lifting the lid.
  • Then blend the mixture in a food processor until you get the desired consistency. Let the cretons cool for a few minutes before placing them in an airtight container.
A mason jar filled with slow-cooked cretons for Easter dinner

Slow Cooker Pineapple Glazed Ham

Ham is the true king of Easter, taking center stage alongside baked beans, potatoes, and pickles. This slow-cooker pineapple ham recipe promises tender, juicy meat with the perfect balance of sweet and savory from the brown sugar and the tartness of the pineapple. It's a classic flavor combination that's sure to delight your guests.

Note that to prepare a whole ham in a slow cooker, it must have a capacity of at least 6 liters.

  • Before starting to cook, cut a boneless, pre-cooked ham into 1 to 2 cm slices, stopping 3/4 of the way down, to keep the ham in one piece.
  • Next, spread 2 cups of brown sugar evenly over the bottom of the slow cooker. Place the ham on top and drizzle 1/2 cup of honey or maple syrup over the surface.
  • Add a 20 oz can of pineapple chunks, with the juice, all around the ham.
  • Add 1 XNUMX/XNUMX cups of brown sugar over the surface and between the slices, then arrange a few pineapple chunks on top of the ham.
  • Cover the slow cooker and cook the ham on low for 3 hours 30 minutes to 4 hours, until it is well-infused with flavors and fork-tender.
Slow Cooker Pineapple Glazed Ham Slices for Easter Dinner

Slow Cooker Maple Unemployed Pudding

Pouding chômeur is a must-have, and this slow-cooker version is both convenient and delicious. This dessert, with its rich maple sauce and tender cake, will be the highlight of your Easter meal, warming the hearts of your guests.

  • To make slow cooker pouding chômeur, start by boiling maple syrup, milk, and butter in a pot, stirring constantly.
  • In a bowl, mix flour, baking powder and salt.
  • In a separate bowl, use an electric mixer to cream another portion of butter with sugar until the mixture lightens in color.
  • Gradually add the dry ingredients to the butter and sugar mixture, then add the vanilla.
  • Pour the maple syrup sauce into the slow cooker and gently add the batter on top. You'll want to place a clean cloth under the slow cooker lid to prevent steam from escaping, then let the pudding cook on high for about 3 hours.
A bowl of slow-cooked pudding chômeur for Easter dinner

Slow Cooker Hot Chocolate

Are you more of a chocolate lover? To round off your Easter feast, you could opt for a homemade hot chocolate bar! The slow cooker keeps the chocolate at the perfect serving temperature, allowing your guests to serve themselves and customize their mug with various toppings. It's a festive and warm way to end the meal.

  • Start by pouring 5 cups of milk into your slow cooker, then add 1 cup of 35% cooking cream, 1 tsp vanilla extract, 1/2 cup cocoa, and 1 300 ml can of sweetened condensed milk.
  • Whisk these ingredients together until well blended, then stir in 150g of dark chocolate pieces.
  • Cover your slow cooker and cook on low for at least 2 hours, stirring occasionally to obtain a smooth, even texture.

Prepare toppings ahead of time that you can arrange around the slow cooker when serving. For example, you could offer mini marshmallows, brownie cubes, cookies, spices, caramel or raspberry syrups, whipped cream, and for adults, creamy coffee or hazelnut liqueurs, etc.

A cup of Easter hot chocolate made with a slow cooker recipe.

The slow cooker is a valuable ally in the kitchen and is very useful for preparing traditional recipes for special occasions like Easter. These 5 slow cooker recipes bring simplicity, tradition, and flavor, allowing you to fully enjoy this holiday without stress. So, put on your apron, set your slow cooker, and you'll definitely have time to relax a little before enjoying your delicious Easter meal!

Check out our other seasonal articles to inspire you as you prepare for your Easter weekend:

sources:
https://www.coupdepouce.com/cuisine/entrees-et-accompagnements/recette/soupe-aux-pois-5
https://recettesgourmandes.ca/recipe/cretons-cremeux-a-la-mijoteuse?/fr/recettes-93-cretons-cremeux-a-la-mijoteuse.html
https://myincrediblerecipes.com/crock-pot-brown-sugar-pineapple-ham/?fbclid=IwAR26evYhUVgFrgAElvHcpGqimw8j1RyksuYrERxQbRJHnw3img4pzZjMk4g
https://www.recettes.qc.ca/recettes/recette/pouding-chomeur-a-la-mijoteuse
https://www.5ingredients15minutes.com/fr/recettes/boisson/bar-a-chocolat-chaud-a-la-mijoteuse/