This is my lazy-girl Earth Day dessert: whole raw unpeeled sweet potatoes tossed straight into the slow cooker with just three everyday pantry items. No peeling, no fuss, and almost no dishes. A few hours later, they collapse into soft, caramel-y goodness that tastes like a cross between a sweet potato pie and a gooey pudding.
I started making this on busy weeknights when I wanted something cozy and a little special without turning on the oven, and now it’s become a fun Earth Day tradition because it celebrates using the whole vegetable with almost zero waste.
Serve the sweet potatoes hot, split open in a shallow bowl, and spoon the buttery brown sugar sauce from the bottom of the slow cooker over the top. Add a dollop of vanilla yogurt or a scoop of ice cream if you want it extra dessert-y, or keep it lighter with a drizzle of milk or cream and a sprinkle of chopped nuts.
This pairs really well with a simple roast chicken or veggie-forward dinner—just get the slow cooker going in the afternoon and dessert is ready when you are. Leftovers are great mashed and spread on toast the next morning.
