May Magic: Uses exactly 4 items. I throw this on when I want something incredibly simple that looks like it took all day to make.

This little slow cooker dessert reminds me of the church basement potlucks we used to have every May, when the lilacs were blooming and everyone brought something colorful for the dessert table. It uses just four simple items, but the long, gentle cooking turns them into a deep violet, spoonable pudding with a glossy, almost caramelized top that looks like it took you all afternoon. It’s the kind of recipe I throw together on a busy day in the garden, then forget about until the house smells sweet and cozy.

Serve this warm right out of the slow cooker, spooned into small bowls or sturdy mugs. A dollop of whipped cream or a little pour of cold heavy cream over the top makes a lovely temperature contrast against the warm, violet pudding. It’s sweet enough to stand alone, but a plain butter cookie or shortbread on the side gives a nice bit of crunch. For a simple company dessert, I like to sprinkle just a few fresh berries on top right before serving to echo that pretty purple color.

Servings: 6

1 box (3.4 oz) instant vanilla pudding mix

Lightly grease the inside of a small slow cooker (about 3 to 4 quarts) with a bit of butter or cooking spray so the pudding doesn’t stick too much along the edges.

In a mixing bowl, whisk together the instant vanilla pudding mix and the whole milk until smooth and slightly thickened, about 1 to 2 minutes. This will be your creamy base.

Spoon the blueberry pie filling into the bottom of the slow cooker and spread it into an even layer. It will look very dark and glossy—that’s what will give you that deep violet, viscous layer once it cooks.

Gently pour the vanilla pudding mixture over the blueberry layer, trying not to disturb it too much. Do not stir; you want the blueberry layer to sit mostly on the bottom and around the edges as it cooks.

Sprinkle the granulated sugar evenly over the top surface of the pudding mixture. This sugar will melt and help form a glistening, lightly caramelized top as the dessert cooks.

Cover the slow cooker with its lid. Cook on LOW for 3 to 4 hours, or until the edges are set and a bit jiggly in the center, and you can see the violet blueberry layer bubbling up thickly around the sides.

Once done, turn off the slow cooker and let the dessert rest, covered, for 20 to 30 minutes. This resting time lets it thicken into a soft, scoopable, gelatinous pudding with a glossy top.

To serve, spoon down through the caramelized top so you get both the deep violet blueberry layer and the creamy pudding in each serving. Serve warm straight from the slow cooker.

If you can’t find blueberry pie filling, blackberry pie filling will give a similar deep purple color and thick, syrupy texture. For a slightly tangier flavor, you can swap half of the whole milk for half-and-half or use 1 1/2 cups milk plus 1/2 cup sour cream, whisked very smooth before adding. A pinch of ground cinnamon or a drop or two of almond extract in the pudding mixture will give a more old-fashioned flavor, but keep in mind that adding extra items will take it beyond the original four-ingredient idea. To make the top even more caramelized, you can sprinkle an extra tablespoon of sugar over the surface during the last 30 minutes of cooking, watching that it doesn’t scorch along the edges. For food safety, keep the slow cooker on LOW as directed and do not leave it on WARM for more than 2 hours after cooking is finished. Any leftovers should be cooled, then covered and refrigerated within 2 hours; enjoy them within 3 days. Reheat gently in the microwave or enjoy chilled, but discard if you notice any off smells, discoloration, or separation beyond normal thickening.