Spring Sweets: Just 5 ingredients. I make it when I want dessert handled hours ahead.

This little slow cooker ruby puddle cake is what I turn to when I want dessert handled hours ahead with almost no fuss. It’s just five pantry-style ingredients, and it reminds me of the old self-saucing pudding cakes my mother used to bake in the 1950s—only now the slow cooker does the watching for us. A simple batter bakes up into a soft, spongy cake while a thick ruby-red fruit syrup bubbles underneath, making its own glossy sauce. By the time supper dishes are done, you lift the lid and find a steamy, spoonable dessert waiting, already glazed in that jewel-colored puddle.

Serve this warm right from the slow cooker, spooning down through the tender cake to scoop up plenty of ruby syrup from the bottom. A little vanilla ice cream, lightly sweetened whipped cream, or even a splash of cold heavy cream over the top is lovely against the warm, tangy-sweet sauce. It pairs nicely with simple suppers—roast chicken, pot roast, or a big pot of chili—because you can set it up earlier in the day and forget it. A cup of coffee or black tea on the side brings out the fruit flavor and makes it feel like Sunday supper at Grandma’s, even on a weeknight.

Servings: 6

1 3/4 cups all-purpose flour

Lightly grease the inside of a 4- to 5-quart slow cooker with butter or nonstick spray so the cake releases easily and the syrup doesn’t stick too much to the sides.

In a medium mixing bowl, whisk together the flour and sugar until there are no streaks. This keeps the batter even and helps prevent little pockets of dry flour.

Add the milk and melted butter to the dry ingredients. Whisk or stir with a wooden spoon just until the batter is smooth and no dry spots remain. The batter will be fairly thick but pourable.

Pour the batter into the prepared slow cooker and spread it into an even layer, nudging it gently into the corners. This even layer helps the cake cook at the same pace all the way through.

Slowly pour the thick ruby-red fruit syrup evenly over the top of the batter. Do not stir. The syrup will sink and bubble as it cooks, creating a glossy ruby puddle of sauce under and around the cake.

Cover the slow cooker with its lid, placing a clean kitchen towel under the lid if you’re worried about excess condensation dripping back onto the cake. Make sure the towel edges are well away from the heat source.

Cook on HIGH for 2 to 2 1/2 hours, or on LOW for 3 1/2 to 4 hours, until the cake is set on top and springs back lightly when touched in the center. You should see the thick syrup bubbling and glistening around the edges and at the bottom.

Turn off the slow cooker and let the cake rest, covered, for about 10 minutes. This allows the bubbling to calm and the sauce to thicken slightly while the cake stays warm and spongy.

To serve, spoon down through the soft cake to the bottom, making sure each serving has plenty of the ruby syrup from underneath. Serve warm, straight from the slow cooker, with your favorite topping if you like.

If your syrup is very thick, like pancake syrup or bottled fruit syrup, it will give you that deep ruby puddle and glossy look. If it’s thinner, you can simmer it on the stove for a few minutes to reduce and thicken before using, or stir in an extra tablespoon of sugar while it simmers. You can change the personality of the cake by changing the syrup: cherry for a black-forest feel, raspberry for a tangy finish, or mixed berry for something more like an old-fashioned cobbler. If you only have salted butter, you may use it and simply omit any pinch of salt you might otherwise be tempted to add. For a slightly richer cake, swap half of the milk for light cream. To make this more like a Sunday brunch dish, add a teaspoon of vanilla extract to the batter (this would be an optional sixth ingredient if you don’t mind stretching the five-ingredient idea a bit). For an extra homey touch, you can sprinkle a spoonful of sugar over the batter before adding the syrup to give the top a faintly crackly edge where it peeks through. Food safety tips: Keep the slow cooker covered while cooking so it maintains a safe temperature; avoid lifting the lid often, as that extends cooking time and can keep the dessert in the danger zone too long. Make sure the cake is fully set in the center before serving—no wet raw batter. Leftovers should be cooled to room temperature within 1 to 2 hours, then covered and refrigerated; reheat gently in the microwave or on LOW in the slow cooker until steaming. Discard any portion that has sat out at room temperature for more than 2 hours, especially in warm weather.