An older neighbor shared this sweet March tradition using just 4 ingredients that create their own rich sauce. It comes out bubbling hot and practically melts in your mouth.

This slow cooker 4-ingredient maple pudding cake is the kind of cozy dessert that feels like it came straight from an older neighbor’s recipe box. It’s a simple March tradition in many maple-producing regions: a soft, golden cake that bakes right on top of its own bubbling maple-brown sugar sauce. Everything happens in one slow cooker—no whisking egg whites, no complicated steps—just a handful of pantry staples and real maple syrup that transform into something that practically melts in your mouth.

Serve this maple pudding cake warm, spooned straight from the slow cooker so each portion has both tender cake and plenty of sauce. A small scoop of vanilla ice cream, lightly sweetened whipped cream, or a dollop of crème fraîche balances the sweetness and highlights the maple flavor. Coffee, black tea, or an after-dinner bourbon or rye pairs nicely with the caramel notes. Because it’s quite rich, keep portions modest and let people come back for seconds at the table.

Servings: 6

1 cup pure maple syrup (preferably Grade A amber or dark)

Lightly grease the insert of a 3- to 4-quart slow cooker with butter or nonstick spray to help the cake release and keep the edges from sticking.

Pour the maple syrup into the bottom of the greased slow cooker and tilt the insert gently so the syrup coats the entire base in an even layer. This will form the base of the sauce.

In a medium bowl, whisk together the brown sugar and milk until the sugar is mostly dissolved and the mixture looks smooth and uniform.

Add the self-rising flour to the bowl and whisk or stir just until a smooth batter forms and no dry flour pockets remain. Avoid overmixing; stop as soon as the batter is evenly combined.

Carefully pour the batter over the maple syrup in the slow cooker. Do not stir. The batter will float on top of the syrup; as it cooks, the cake will rise and the syrup will thicken into a rich sauce underneath.

Cover the slow cooker with its lid and cook on HIGH for 2 to 2 1/2 hours, or until the top of the cake is set, lightly golden, and springs back when gently touched in the center. You should see bubbling maple-brown sugar sauce around the edges.

Once done, turn off the slow cooker and let the pudding cake rest, covered, for about 10 minutes. This allows the sauce to thicken slightly while the cake stays warm and tender.

To serve, spoon down through the cake and into the sauce, making sure each serving has both the golden sponge and plenty of glossy maple sauce. Serve warm, straight from the slow cooker.

Because this recipe is built around just four ingredients, each one counts. Use good-quality pure maple syrup; darker grades give a deeper, almost toffee-like flavor. If you don’t have self-rising flour, you can approximate it by whisking together 1 cup all-purpose flour, 1 1/2 teaspoons baking powder, and 1/4 teaspoon fine salt—but note that this technically adds ingredients beyond the core four. For a slightly less sweet dessert, reduce the brown sugar to 1/3 cup; the texture will remain soft but the sauce will be a bit thinner. You can also play with the milk: whole milk gives the most tender crumb, but 2% will work in a pinch. To keep the spirit of the four-ingredient tradition while adding subtle nuance, serve with flavored accompaniments rather than altering the base recipe—try a scoop of cinnamon ice cream, a drizzle of heavy cream, or a sprinkle of toasted nuts on top of each serving. If your slow cooker runs hot, start checking at the 1 hour 45 minute mark to prevent overcooking; every appliance is a bit different, and you’re aiming for a soft, spoonable cake with visible pools of sauce around the edges.