Toss a bag of frozen fruit in the slow cooker with 4 other ingredients and your family will think you slaved over a fancy restaurant dessert.

This 5-ingredient slow cooker berry dessert is my secret weapon on nights when I want something that feels like a fancy restaurant dessert but I’m also juggling work emails, homework help, and a sink full of dishes. You literally toss a bag of frozen mixed berries into the slow cooker, add four pantry-friendly ingredients, and let the slow cooker do the work. The berries cook down into a jammy, saucy filling with a buttery, cake-like top that tastes way more complicated than it is. It’s perfect for using that big bag of frozen fruit from the freezer and makes the whole house smell amazing while you get on with your evening.

Serve this warm right out of the slow cooker, spooned into bowls. It’s fantastic with a scoop of vanilla ice cream, a dollop of whipped cream, or a spoonful of vanilla yogurt if you want to keep it a little lighter. I like to add a sprinkle of granola or crushed cookies on top for crunch. Coffee, hot tea, or a small glass of dessert wine all pair nicely. Leftovers are great the next morning over Greek yogurt or oatmeal for a not-too-sweet breakfast treat.

Servings: 6

1 (16–20 ounce) bag frozen mixed berries (no need to thaw)

Lightly grease the inside of a 4- to 6-quart slow cooker with cooking spray or a thin layer of butter to help prevent sticking.

Pour the frozen mixed berries straight from the bag into the bottom of the slow cooker, spreading them into an even layer. The berries should cover the ceramic surface in a single, fairly even layer.

Sprinkle the granulated sugar evenly over the frozen berries. Drizzle the vanilla extract over the top so it’s distributed across the fruit.

In a medium bowl, add the dry cake mix. Pour in the melted butter and stir with a fork until the mixture looks like thick, clumpy wet sand with some small and medium crumbles. It does not need to be perfectly smooth.

Sprinkle the buttery cake mixture evenly over the sugared berries, covering as much of the fruit as possible. It’s okay if some berries peek through.

Cover the slow cooker with the lid. Cook on HIGH for 2 to 2 1/2 hours, or on LOW for 3 1/2 to 4 hours, until the berries are bubbling around the edges and the topping looks set and cooked through. The top will be soft and cobbler-like rather than crisp.

Once done, turn off the slow cooker and let the dessert sit, covered, for about 10 minutes to thicken slightly. The berry juices will continue to set as it cools.

Spoon the warm berry dessert into bowls and serve as-is or topped with ice cream, whipped cream, or yogurt. Scoop gently straight down to get both the saucy berries and the cake-like topping in each serving.

For a little extra flavor, add 1/2 teaspoon ground cinnamon or cardamom to the sugar before sprinkling it over the berries. You can swap the mixed berries for other frozen fruit blends, like peaches or a berry-cherry mix, keeping the same total amount. A lemon or orange twist is great too: stir 1 teaspoon fresh lemon or orange zest into the berries along with the sugar. If you prefer things less sweet, reduce the granulated sugar to 1/3 cup, especially if your fruit blend includes sweeter berries like strawberries. To make it dairy-free, use a dairy-free cake mix (check the label) and substitute melted coconut oil or a plant-based butter for the regular butter. For a slightly crispier top, prop the slow cooker lid open with a wooden spoon during the last 20–30 minutes of cooking to let some steam escape. Food safety tips: Always cook this dessert until the center is hot and bubbling, not just warm on top—frozen fruit needs to be fully heated through. Don’t leave the finished dessert on the “Warm” setting for more than 2 hours; after that, cool leftovers quickly, transfer to an airtight container, and refrigerate. Reheat single portions in the microwave until steaming hot before serving. Avoid refreezing once the berries have been cooked and cooled; eat leftovers within 3–4 days for best quality.