Barbecued Cocktail Franks

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Serves 8 to 10

Cooking Time 1 to 2 hours on Low

Slow Cooker Size 3½ to 7 quarts

WHY THIS RECIPE WORKS: Cocktail franks are a party favorite and an easy, kid-friendly hors d’oeuvres. We make them even easier by using the slow cooker, where they can gently simmer in a flavorful sauce without worry of scorching. We guarantee this will be your go-to method from now on. We found that sweet and tangy barbecue sauce brought out the subtle smoky flavor of the franks nicely. Since the sauce was the star of the show, we skipped the bottled barbecue and threw together a simple homemade sauce. We started with tangy ketchup and added some molasses for its rich sweetness and Dijon mustard and cider vinegar for a dose of acidity. A combination of chili powder and cayenne added complex but not overwhelming heat. For a spicier barbecue sauce, use the larger amount of cayenne.

1	cup ketchup
½	cup molasses
3	tablespoons cider vinegar
3	tablespoons Dijon mustard
1	tablespoon packed brown sugar
2	teaspoons chili powder
⅛–¼	teaspoon cayenne pepper
1	pound cocktail franks

Combine ketchup, molasses, vinegar, mustard, sugar, chili powder, and cayenne in slow cooker, then stir in cocktail franks. Cover and cook until franks are heated through, 1 to 2 hours on low. Serve. (Cocktail franks can be held on warm or low setting for up to 2 hours; loosen sauce with hot water 2 tablespoons at a time as needed.)