Servings: 6
If you are looking for a side dish that is rich, comforting, and packed with old-fashioned flavor, these Slow Cooker Amish Molasses Potatoes are exactly what you need. Thick potato wedges are slow-cooked in a sweet, buttery molasses glaze until they are incredibly tender and coated in a deep amber, caramelized syrup. It is the perfect accompaniment to a holiday ham, a Sunday roast, or a hearty weeknight dinner.
The magic of this recipe lies in the molasses glaze. The unsulphured molasses adds a deep, rich, and slightly smoky sweetness, while the butter adds richness and helps the glaze caramelize beautifully. The slow cooker gently cooks the potatoes, allowing them to absorb all the delicious flavors.
Why This Recipe Works
This recipe relies on the magic of slow cooking and the unique flavor of molasses. The potatoes become incredibly tender as they cook, soaking up the sweet and savory glaze. Stirring them halfway through ensures they are evenly coated and caramelize beautifully. Cracking the lid for the last part of cooking allows the steam to escape and the glaze to thicken, giving the potatoes that sticky, glossy finish.
Ingredients
- 3 pounds medium russet or Yukon Gold potatoes, scrubbed and cut into thick wedges
- 1/2 cup unsulphured molasses
- 1/2 cup unsalted butter, melted
- 1 teaspoon kosher salt (or to taste)
Directions
- Lightly grease a 4- to 6-quart slow cooker crock with a bit of butter to help keep the potatoes from sticking too much.
- Scrub the potatoes well and pat them dry. Leave the skins on for that old-fashioned farmhouse texture, and cut each potato into thick wedges, about 6–8 wedges per potato.
- In a small bowl or measuring cup, whisk together the molasses, melted butter, and salt until the mixture is smooth and glossy.
- Place the potato wedges into the slow cooker in an even layer, spreading them out as best you can so the glaze can reach all the pieces.
- Pour the molasses-butter mixture evenly over the potatoes, using a spatula to scrape out every bit. Gently toss the potatoes in the crock with a wooden spoon or your hands until they’re all lightly coated.
- Cover the slow cooker with the lid and cook on LOW for 5 to 6 hours, or on HIGH for 2 1/2 to 3 hours, until the potatoes are very tender when pierced with a fork.
- About halfway through cooking, gently stir the potatoes from the bottom up to re-coat them in the molasses-butter mixture. This helps them caramelize more evenly and keeps the edges from drying out.
- During the last 30 to 45 minutes of cooking, crack the lid open just a bit with a wooden spoon handle or heat-safe utensil to let some steam escape. This helps the glaze thicken and cling to the potatoes, giving them that deep amber, slightly sticky coating and caramelized edges.
- When the potatoes are tender and coated in a shiny, syrupy glaze, taste and add a pinch more salt if needed. Serve straight from the slow cooker on the warm setting, spooning some of the thickened molasses-butter over the top of each serving.
Tips for the Best Results
Cut the potatoes evenly. Uniform wedges ensure the potatoes cook at the same rate and are all perfectly tender.
Don’t peel the potatoes. Leaving the skins on adds a rustic texture and helps the wedges hold their shape during the long cooking time.
Stir halfway through. Stirring the potatoes halfway through cooking ensures they are evenly coated in the glaze and helps them caramelize beautifully.
Crack the lid. Cracking the lid during the last 30 to 45 minutes allows the steam to escape and the glaze to thicken, giving the potatoes that delicious, sticky finish.
Watch the salt. Molasses has a strong flavor and can be quite assertive. Start with 1 teaspoon of salt and add more to taste at the end.
Storage and Serving
Store leftover potatoes in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 4 days. Reheat gently in the microwave or in a 350°F oven until warmed through. Serve them as a side dish with roasted ham, pork chops, or a hearty beef roast.
Sweet, savory, and completely irresistible, these Slow Cooker Amish Molasses Potatoes are a fantastic recipe to keep in your rotation for easy, comforting meals.