Foil Packet Sweets: Just 4 ingredients. Wrap up these rich nutty bombs like little gifts and trick my uncle into thinking I spent all day baking these gooey squares.

These slow cooker 4-ingredient foil wrapped butter pecan blondies are my little secret weapon for family get-togethers and Sunday suppers. They taste like you fussed with homemade candy and bakery blondies all afternoon, but really you just wrapped up a few pantry staples like gifts and let the slow cooker do the work. The butter pecan flavor comes from using butter pecan cake mix, and the foil packets keep everything gooey in the middle with toasty nuts around the edges. I love making these when I want to impress my uncle (who swears he can tell if something is from scratch) without turning on the oven or dirtying half the kitchen.

Serve these warm right out of the foil packets with a fork or spoon so everyone can open their own little present at the table. They’re wonderful on their own with that buttery, nutty flavor and caramel drizzle, but you can also add a scoop of vanilla ice cream or a dollop of whipped cream on top of the open packet for an easy dessert that feels restaurant-fancy. A cup of coffee, hot cocoa, or cold milk pairs perfectly with the rich, sweet squares, and if you’re feeding a crowd, set the slow cooker on the counter with a small toppings bar—extra caramel sauce, a few chopped pecans, and maybe some chocolate chips—so everyone can dress up their own portion.

Servings: 8

1 (15.25-ounce) box butter pecan cake mix

Line the bottom of your slow cooker with a single layer of foil, pressing it gently up the sides to protect the surface and catch any drips. Do not preheat the slow cooker; it can stay off while you prepare the packets.

Tear 8 pieces of heavy-duty aluminum foil, each about 8 to 10 inches long. If you only have regular foil, use two layers per packet so they don’t tear when you lift them out. Set the foil pieces aside on the counter.

In a medium mixing bowl, add the dry butter pecan cake mix. Pour in the melted, slightly cooled butter and 1/3 cup of caramel sauce. Stir with a sturdy spoon until everything is just combined and no dry pockets of mix remain. The mixture will be thick and sticky, more like cookie dough than cake batter.

Fold in the chopped pecans until they are evenly distributed throughout the dough. It may take a little muscle, but keep stirring until the nuts are worked in so each packet gets a good amount of crunch.

Divide the dough into 8 roughly equal portions. You can eyeball it or use a spoon or small scoop. Place one portion in the center of each foil piece and gently pat it into a thick square or rectangle about 2 to 2 1/2 inches across and about 1 inch thick. Try to keep them the same thickness so they cook evenly.

Wrap each dough portion up like a little gift: bring the long sides of the foil up and over the dough and fold them together tightly, then fold or crimp the short ends to seal the packet completely. Make sure there are no big gaps so the steam stays inside and the blondies get gooey.

Arrange the sealed foil packets in a single layer in the bottom of the slow cooker. If your slow cooker is small and you need a second layer, place it gently on top, staggering the packets so they’re not directly stacked if possible. Do not add water; the moisture will come from the dough and trapped steam.

Cover the slow cooker with its lid and cook on LOW for 2 to 2 1/2 hours, or until the blondies feel set but still soft when you gently press the top of a packet with a spoon. They should not feel squishy like raw batter, but they should give a little in the center for that gooey texture.

Turn off the slow cooker and let the packets sit, covered, for about 10 to 15 minutes. This short rest helps the blondies finish setting without overcooking and makes them easier to handle when you take them out.

Using tongs or a spatula, carefully lift the foil packets out of the slow cooker and place them on a heat-safe surface. Open each one carefully, facing the opening away from you so the hot steam doesn’t hit your face or hands.

Drizzle a little extra caramel sauce over the warm blondies right in the foil packets. Serve them in the foil for easy cleanup, or slide the blondies out onto small plates or bowls if you prefer. Enjoy warm while they’re gooey in the middle and lightly chewy around the edges.

If you have picky eaters, you can leave the pecans out of a few packets and mark those with a small fold or twist in one corner of the foil so you know which are nut-free. For a slightly less sweet version, skip the caramel inside the dough and only drizzle a little on top at the end. If you can’t find butter pecan cake mix, yellow or vanilla cake mix will still work—just add 1 teaspoon of vanilla extract and use toasted pecans for a similar flavor. To make the blondies feel more like a campfire treat, sprinkle a few chocolate chips on top of the dough in each packet before sealing. For kids, you can let them help scoop the dough and wrap the packets (an adult should handle the hot slow cooker and steam). Always be careful when opening foil packets; hot steam can burn, so open them away from your face and use oven mitts or tongs. Make sure the slow cooker is on a stable, heat-safe surface and that no foil is sticking out enough to touch the lid heating element. Leftover cooled blondies can be stored in the foil packets in an airtight container at room temperature for up to 2 days; for longer storage, refrigerate and rewarm gently in the slow cooker or microwave until just warm, not piping hot.