2 pounds of fresh carrots, peeled and sliced into thick rounds or sticks
1/4 cup of pure maple syrup
2 tablespoons of light brown sugar
3 tablespoons of unsalted butter, melted
1/2 teaspoon of ground cinnamon
1/4 teaspoon of salt
1/8 teaspoon of black pepper
1/2 teaspoon of alcohol-free vanilla extract
Fresh parsley for garnish
Instructions
Start by peeling your carrots and cutting them into uniform pieces, such as thick diagonal slices or batons. Ensuring they are roughly the same size helps them cook evenly throughout the process. Place the prepared carrots directly into the basin of your slow cooker.
In a small mixing bowl, combine the melted butter, maple syrup, brown sugar, cinnamon, salt, pepper, and alcohol-free vanilla. Whisk the mixture until the sugar has mostly dissolved and the spices are well distributed. This ensures every carrot gets a balanced amount of seasoning.
Pour the glaze over the carrots in the slow cooker. Use a large spoon or spatula to toss the carrots until they are thoroughly coated in the syrup mixture. Spread them out into an even layer to ensure they all sit in the liquid at the bottom.
Cover the slow cooker with its lid and set it to cook on low for 4 to 5 hours, or on high for about 2 to 3 hours. You will know they are ready when the carrots are fork-tender but not falling apart. Stir them halfway through the cooking time if possible to redistribute the glaze.
Once finished, give the carrots one final stir to coat them in the thickened glaze at the bottom of the pot. Transfer them to a festive serving bowl and sprinkle with fresh chopped parsley for a bright Christmas green contrast against the orange carrots.
