Baked Beans in a Crockpot

Last week I decided to make baked beans since I have a plethora of dried pinto beans.  I have only done them once before in the oven and frankly, I wasn't impressed with the results!  This time around I did them in the crockpot.  It was easier and more delicious!

Crockpot Baked Beans

3 cups dried pinto beans

1 1/2 cups ketchup

2/3 cup molasses

2 T. dried minced onion flakes

1/2 cup brown sugar

4 t. paprika

2 t. dried mustard

1 T. liquid smoke (or to taste)

Use a 6 quart crockpot. Sort through the beans and then boil them in water for ten mintues.  Turn off heat and let them sit in the water for an hour. (Note: The prior two sentences were from the original recipe, but I found it is more successful to cook the beans longer and soften them before you put them in the crockpot.  Once you add ketchup to them that contains salt it toughens the beans and increases cooking time.) Drain the beans reserving 1-2 cups of the bean water. Put the beans in the crockpot with the rest of the ingredients.  Add one cup of the bean water. Stir. Cover and cook on high for 4 to 5 hours or until the beans have softened.  You may need to add more water during cooking time.