Toss frozen raw biscuit dough pieces in the crock with 4 other ingredients and get a dessert so incredible your family will be lining up for seconds

This little slow cooker dessert reminds me of the kind of thing my mother would have thrown together on a busy spring planting day, using what she had in the icebox and pantry. You start with frozen raw biscuit dough pieces, toss them right into the crock with just four other simple ingredients, and a few hours later you’ve got something that tastes like a cross between warm cobbler and sticky bread pudding. It’s the kind of practical, no-fuss recipe that fits small-town kitchens and big family appetites, especially when the days get longer and everyone wanders in from outside looking for something sweet.

Serve this warm, spooned into bowls, with a scoop of vanilla ice cream or a dollop of whipped cream so it melts down into all the little biscuit nooks. It’s lovely with fresh spring berries on the side—strawberries or raspberries are my favorite—or even just a handful scattered over the top. A hot cup of coffee or tea balances the sweetness, and if you’re serving after a Sunday ham dinner or a grilled chicken supper, this makes a cozy, homey finish without a lot of last-minute fuss.

Servings: 8

1 (16–20 oz) bag frozen raw biscuit dough pieces (about 8 large or 12 small pieces), kept frozen

Lightly grease the inside of a 4- to 6-quart slow cooker with butter or nonstick spray. This helps keep the biscuits from sticking and makes cleanup easier.

Working quickly so they stay frozen, scatter the frozen raw biscuit dough pieces in a single, even layer over the bottom of the slow cooker insert. The pieces can touch, but try not to stack them. This should look like a top-down view of biscuit pieces dotted across the bottom of the crock.

In a medium bowl, stir together the fruit pie filling, granulated sugar, and ground cinnamon until well combined. The sugar and cinnamon should be evenly mixed into the fruit.

Pour the fruit mixture evenly over the frozen biscuit dough pieces in the slow cooker, making sure every biscuit gets a little fruit on top. Do not stir; you want the biscuits to stay mostly on the bottom so they puff up under the fruit.

Drizzle the melted butter evenly over the top of the fruit and biscuits. Again, do not stir.

Cover the slow cooker with the lid. Cook on HIGH for 2 to 2 1/2 hours, or on LOW for 4 to 4 1/2 hours, until the biscuit pieces are puffed, cooked through in the center, and the fruit is bubbly. The edges will be more set and golden, while the center will be soft but not doughy.

To check doneness, carefully lift the lid away from you to avoid steam, then use a fork or knife to cut into one of the thicker biscuit pieces in the center. If it still looks like raw dough, continue cooking in 20-minute increments.

Once done, turn off the slow cooker and let the dessert sit, covered, for 10 to 15 minutes to thicken slightly. Serve warm, spooned into bowls, with ice cream or whipped cream if you like.

You can change the character of this dessert just by swapping the pie filling—use strawberry or mixed berry for a bright spring feel, cherry for something reminiscent of church potlucks, or peach for late-spring into summer. A teaspoon of vanilla extract or almond extract stirred into the pie filling adds another layer of flavor. If you enjoy a little crunch, sprinkle 1/4 cup chopped pecans or walnuts over the top along with the melted butter before cooking. For a slightly lighter version, you can reduce the granulated sugar to 1/4 cup, especially if your pie filling is very sweet. If you only have large frozen biscuits, cut each one into quarters while still frozen and scatter the pieces in the crock. For food safety, always start with biscuit dough that has been kept properly frozen according to the package directions, and don’t leave the finished dessert sitting on the warm setting for more than 2 hours; after that, cool leftovers promptly and refrigerate in a covered container. Reheat individual portions in the microwave until hot all the way through before serving. Avoid lifting the lid frequently during cooking, as repeated heat loss can lengthen the cooking time and may leave the biscuit centers underdone.