Memorial Day Magic: Just 4 ingredients. I make it when I want a rich dessert handled hours ahead of the cookout.

This 4-ingredient slow cooker hot fudge cake is my go-to when I want a rich, chocolatey dessert that basically takes care of itself while I get everything else ready for a Memorial Day cookout. It’s a simple dump-and-go recipe built around a dark chocolate cake mix, so you don’t need any fancy baking skills or extra time in the kitchen. A few pantry staples turn into a bubbling, glossy pot of warm cake and hot fudge all in one, perfect for scooping straight from the slow cooker when everyone’s ready for something sweet.

Serve this hot fudge cake warm, straight from the slow cooker, with vanilla ice cream or whipped cream so it can melt down into all those fudgy pockets. It’s also lovely with fresh berries on the side to balance the richness, especially strawberries or raspberries. For a cookout, I like to set the slow cooker on warm and put out a little topping bar with crushed nuts, mini marshmallows, and chocolate chips so everyone can dress up their own bowl. Coffee, cold milk, or a simple iced tea all pair nicely with the deep dark chocolate flavor.

Servings: 8-10

1 box (about 15.25 oz) dark chocolate cake mix

Lightly grease the inside of a 4- to 6-quart slow cooker with cooking spray or a thin layer of oil to help prevent sticking and make cleanup easier.

In a medium mixing bowl, whisk together the dark chocolate cake mix, whole milk, and oil until just combined and no big dry pockets remain. The batter will be fairly thick and glossy.

Pour the dark chocolate batter into the prepared slow cooker and spread it into an even layer with a spatula so it cooks evenly.

Spoon the hot fudge sauce over the top of the batter in big dollops, then gently swirl it into the top third of the batter with the tip of a knife or a spoon. Don’t fully mix it in; you want visible ribbons and pockets of fudge so it bubbles up as it cooks.

Cover the slow cooker with the lid, making sure it fits snugly so steam stays trapped inside. Set to LOW and cook for 2 1/2 to 3 1/2 hours, or until the edges are set and pulling slightly away from the sides but the center is still soft and gooey. The top should look glossy and bubbling, almost like a thick, molten brownie.

Once done, turn the slow cooker to WARM and let the cake sit, covered, for 10–15 minutes to let the bubbling settle a bit. This makes it easier to scoop while still staying fudgy.

To serve, scoop the warm hot fudge cake straight from the slow cooker into bowls, making sure to dig down to get both the cakey part and the thick fudge sauce from the bottom. Serve immediately with your favorite toppings.

Turn off and unplug the slow cooker after serving. Let any leftovers cool completely in the crock before transferring them to an airtight container and refrigerating.

For picky eaters who might not love intense dark chocolate, you can swap the dark chocolate cake mix for a regular chocolate or devil’s food cake mix while keeping the rest of the recipe the same. If your crowd likes things extra rich, drizzle an additional 1/2 cup of warmed hot fudge or chocolate syrup over the top right before serving. For a mocha twist for adults, stir 1–2 teaspoons of instant espresso powder into the dry cake mix before adding the milk and oil. You can also add a handful of chocolate chips or chopped nuts over the batter before adding the fudge for extra texture, though that will technically bump you over four ingredients. To keep things on the lighter side, serve smaller scoops and load up on fresh berries. If you need a dairy-free version, use a dairy-free cake mix (most are already), substitute a rich, unsweetened non-dairy milk like oat or soy for the whole milk, and choose a dairy-free hot fudge or thick chocolate sauce. Food safety tips: Always cook on LOW or HIGH with the lid on; don’t leave the slow cooker on WARM for more than about 2 hours after cooking, as that setting isn’t hot enough to safely hold food indefinitely. Make sure leftovers cool within 2 hours and refrigerate them promptly in a shallow container. Reheat individual portions in the microwave until steaming hot before serving again. Avoid leaving the dessert sitting out in the sun at a cookout; keep it on WARM in a shaded spot or bring it out when you’re ready to serve.