‘Minister's Delight’ will change your life – it's like the gods whipped it up themselves!

Minister's Delight is a classic slow cooker dessert that has been a favorite at potlucks and church gatherings in the Midwest for generations. This comforting dish, enriched with a nut topping and yellow cake mix, marries simplicity with deliciousness. The origin of this dish hails from community events where easy-to-share, crowd-pleasing recipes were essential. Its rich flavors and ease of preparation make it an ideal dish for those who want to enjoy a homemade treat with minimal effort.

Minister’s Delight pairs beautifully with a dollop of whipped cream or a scoop of vanilla ice cream to complement its warm, nutty notes. Fresh fruit, like sliced strawberries or a handful of blueberries, can provide a nice contrast to the richness of the dessert. For a full dessert spread, consider offering a light, tangy dessert like a lemon sorbet to cleanse the palate.

Servings: 8

1 box yellow cake mix
1 can (20 oz) crushed pineapple, undrained
1 can (21 oz) cherry pie filling
1 cup chopped nuts (pecans or walnuts work best)
1/2 cup unsalted butter, melted
1 cup sweetened shredded coconut (optional)

1. Grease a 6-quart slow cooker with non-stick spray or butter.

2. Spread the can of crushed pineapple with its juice evenly in the bottom of the slow cooker.

3. Spoon the cherry pie filling evenly over the pineapple layer.

4. Sprinkle the dry yellow cake mix evenly over the fruit layers, spreading it out with a spatula if necessary.

5. Pour the melted butter evenly over the top of the cake mix.

6. Sprinkle the chopped nuts and optional shredded coconut evenly over the buttered cake mix.

7. Cover the slow cooker and cook on high for 2 to 3 hours or until the top is golden brown and the edges are bubbly.

8. Serve warm, directly from the slow cooker.

For a twist on this traditional recipe, try using spice cake mix instead of yellow cake mix for a deeper flavor profile. You can also swap out the cherry pie filling for apple or blueberry pie filling, depending on your fruit preference. Adding a teaspoon of cinnamon to the cake mix can lend a warm, aromatic note to the dish. If you're looking to make this dish a bit lighter, you can opt for a sugar-free cake mix and pie filling.