tips & tricks

If you're ready to step away from your oven and make moist and delicious baked goods in your slow cooker, these techniques and expert tips will help you achieve success every time:

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• Plan ahead Slow-cooker baking may take more time than oven-baking—but it’s completely hands-off time! Most of the recipes in this magazine require at least an hour and a half in the cooker; many take longer. This gives you the freedom to run errands, work in your yard or drive your kids to sports practice while goodies bake.

• Follow the recipe Slow cookers excel at baking moist breads and cakes. But be sure not to increase the amount of liquid or fruit in a cake or quick bread—this will make it too dense and keep it from rising. That is the reason some recipes in this magazine call for a small egg, which has less liquid than a large egg. (If no size is specified, use a large egg.) For milk, you can use any kind you wish, unless a type is specified.

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