Grandma's genius trick for welcoming spring takes almost zero effort. Just 4 ingredients wrapped in foil means warm bubbling fruit and crunchy edges without turning on the oven.

This slow cooker 4-ingredient strawberry dump cake packets recipe is my lazy-day way to welcome spring without turning on the oven. It reminds me of the simple fruit desserts my grandma used to make, but with her genius twist: everything is wrapped up in little foil trays so the fruit bubbles, the cake mix gets those golden, crunchy edges, and cleanup is a breeze. It’s the kind of dessert you can toss together between errands, let it cook while you’re outside with the kids, and come back to warm, cozy strawberry goodness ready to scoop into bowls.

Serve these warm strawberry dump cake packets straight from the slow cooker, scooped into bowls or eaten right out of the little foil trays. A scoop of vanilla ice cream, whipped cream, or even a spoonful of vanilla yogurt on top makes them extra special. They’re lovely with coffee or tea for the grown-ups and a glass of cold milk for the kids. If you’re serving a bigger meal, these pair nicely after simple grilled chicken or burgers and a fresh green salad for an easy spring or summer supper.

Servings: 6-8

2 cans (21 ounces each) strawberry pie filling

Spray four small disposable foil trays or loaf pans lightly with nonstick cooking spray. This helps the fruity filling release easily and keeps cleanup simple.

Divide the strawberry pie filling evenly among the four foil trays, spreading it into an even layer so the fruit reaches the corners.

Sprinkle the dry yellow cake mix evenly over the strawberry filling in each tray. Do not stir. Aim for a light, even blanket of cake mix so you get a mix of soft, cakey spots and crunchy edges.

Slowly drizzle the melted butter over the dry cake mix in each tray, trying to cover as much of the surface as possible. It’s okay if there are a few dry patches; those become nice, crisp bits as they cook.

Tear four large pieces of aluminum foil and loosely cover each filled tray, crimping the edges just enough to keep the steam in but not pressing down onto the cake topping.

Place a folded kitchen towel in the bottom of a large slow cooker if desired, to keep the foil trays from rattling and to help distribute heat more gently. Arrange the covered foil trays in the slow cooker, stacking slightly if needed but keeping them as level as possible.

Cover the slow cooker with its lid and cook on HIGH for 2.5 to 3 hours, or on LOW for 4 to 5 hours, until the strawberry filling is bubbling around the edges and the cake topping looks set and lightly golden where you can peek under the foil.

When done, carefully remove the foil trays from the slow cooker using oven mitts—they will be very hot. Let them sit, uncovered, for about 10 to 15 minutes to thicken slightly and develop those crunchy, buttery edges.

Serve the strawberry dump cake packets warm, scooping into bowls or enjoying right from the foil trays with a spoon. Add ice cream or whipped cream on top if you like.

For extra flavor, stir 1 teaspoon of vanilla extract or a pinch of cinnamon into the strawberry pie filling before dividing it into the trays. If your family loves texture, sprinkle a small handful of chopped pecans, sliced almonds, or old-fashioned oats over the cake mix before adding the melted butter. To make this more kid-friendly for picky eaters, you can use half strawberry and half cherry pie filling, or even mix strawberry pie filling with a few fresh sliced strawberries for a brighter flavor. A white or vanilla cake mix can be swapped in for yellow, and you can reduce the butter slightly (to about 3/4 cup) if you prefer a lighter, less rich topping. If you don’t have small foil trays, make one big packet by lining the slow cooker with a large piece of heavy-duty foil, building the layers right inside, then folding the foil loosely over the top before covering with the lid. Leftovers keep well in the fridge for up to 3 days; rewarm individual portions in the microwave or pop the foil tray back into the slow cooker on LOW until heated through.