16 Food Gifts You Can Make in Your Slow Cooker

I like giving spiced nuts as holiday gifts. This slow cooker recipe with ginger and cinnamon is so good, you just might use it all year long. —Yvonne Starlin, Westmoreland, Tennessee

I make several batches of this simple and delicious homemade apple butter recipe to freeze in jars. Depending on the sweetness of the apples used, you can adjust the sugar to taste. —Betty Ruenholl, Syracuse, Nebraska

This mildly seasoned snack mix is always a party favorite. Served warm from a slow cooker, the munchable mixture is very satisfying. —Dana Hughes, Gresham, Oregon

These cereal and marshmallow clusters are so simple that I make them for the holidays each year, as my family looks forward to them. —Faye O’Bryan, Owensboro, Kentucky

Cinnamon and ground cloves add down-home flavor to this spread for toast or biscuits. Using the slow cooker eliminates much of the stirring required when simmering fruit butter on the stovetop. —Marilou Robinson, Portland, Oregon

I turn to my slow cooker to prepare these convenient chocolate treats. Making candies couldn’t be any easier! —Pam Posey, Waterloo, South Carolina

These crunchy peanuts have a caramel-like coating, and hot sauce gives them a touch of heat. They make a tasty snack any time of day. —Taste of Home Test Kitchen

As soon as the spring Vidalia onions hit the market, this is one of the first recipes I make. I use it on hot dogs, bruschetta, cream cheese and crackers. It is so versatile. —Pat Hockett, Ocala, Florida

It’s so simple to put this granola together, and it really helps with breakfast on busy mornings. Change up the fruits to fit your preferences or the seasons. —Arisa Cupp, Warren, Oregon

I love the fresh taste of homemade salsa, but as a working mother, I don’t have much time to make it. So I came up with this slow-cooked version that practically makes itself! —Toni Menard, Lompoc, California

My husband doesn’t like traditional party mixes because he thinks they’re too salty or sweet. He calls this one his favorite—it’s just right. —Jackie Burns, Kettle Falls, Washington

This is a tasty spread for toast, muffins, biscuits or any of your favorite breads. It is easy to make and has a rich pear flavor with hints of cinnamon, star anise and lemon. —Geraldine Saucier, Albuquerque, New Mexico

What slow cookers do for soups and stews, they’ll do for mixed nuts, too. The scent of spices is delightful, and the nuts are delicious. —Stephanie Loaiza, Layton, Utah

Fresh peaches and tomatoes make my salsa a hands-down winner over store versions. As a treat, I give my co-workers several jars throughout the year. —Peggi Stahnke, Cleveland, Ohio

Being a New England native, I love apple-picking season. Grab some apples and peanut butter to make your own creamy riff on a PB&J. Of course it’s great on a sandwich, but you can dunk sliced fruit or graham crackers in it, too. —Brandie Cranshaw, Rapid City, South Dakota

My clan isn’t crazy for cranberries, but they can’t get enough of this delicious chutney. I recommend it for Thanksgiving as it tastes amazing paired with turkey, but it’s also good on its own. —Raquel Haggard, Edmond, Oklahoma