My aunt brought this to our summer kickoff party and it vanished in minutes. Only 3 ingredients and it tastes exactly like the ones my grandmother used to bake.

This slow cooker 3-ingredient strawberry angel cake is the kind of dessert that disappears the minute you set it on the table. My aunt first brought it to our summer kickoff party, and everyone swore it tasted just like the strawberry cakes my grandmother used to bake from scratch. It has that same light, fluffy sponge soaked in sweet, jammy strawberry juices, but it comes together with almost no effort and no fancy skills. Everything bakes right in the slow cooker, so it’s perfect for busy days, potlucks, or when you want a nostalgic, homemade-tasting dessert without heating up the whole kitchen.

Scoop the warm strawberry angel cake straight from the slow cooker into small bowls, making sure to get plenty of the juicy strawberries from the bottom. It’s wonderful on its own, but a dollop of whipped cream or a small scoop of vanilla ice cream makes it feel like a special occasion dessert. For a lighter touch, add fresh sliced strawberries on top for a little brightness and texture. This pairs nicely with grilled burgers, brats, or any classic summer cookout spread, and it travels well if you keep the slow cooker on warm and bring it right to the table or picnic shelter.

Servings: 8-10

1 (16-ounce) store-bought angel food cake, cut into 1-inch cubes

Lightly mist the inside of a 5- to 6-quart slow cooker with nonstick cooking spray to help prevent sticking and make cleanup easier.

In a medium bowl, stir together the strawberry pie filling and the partially thawed sliced strawberries in sugar until the fruit and syrup are evenly combined. You want a bright, juicy mixture with some soft strawberry pieces still visible.

Pour about half of the strawberry mixture into the bottom of the slow cooker and spread it into an even layer. This creates a juicy base that will soak into the cake as it cooks.

Scatter half of the angel food cake cubes evenly over the strawberry layer, gently pressing them down just a bit so they touch the juices but don’t get completely submerged.

Spoon the remaining strawberry mixture over the cake cubes, trying to cover as much of the surface as you can so every bite gets some fruit and syrup.

Top with the remaining angel food cake cubes, spreading them out evenly. It’s fine if some pieces stick up a little; those will get lightly golden and stay extra fluffy.

Place a clean kitchen towel or a layer of paper towels over the top of the slow cooker insert (not touching the cake), then set the lid on top. This helps catch condensation so it doesn’t drip back onto the cake and make it soggy.

Cook on LOW for 2 to 3 hours, or until the strawberries are bubbling around the edges and the top layer of cake feels warm and soft but not mushy. The cake should look fluffy and lightly soaked with vibrant red juices peeking through.

Turn off the slow cooker and let the dessert rest, uncovered, for about 10 to 15 minutes. This short rest helps the juices settle and thicken slightly so scooping is easier.

Serve the strawberry angel cake warm, scooping down through the top to the bottom so each serving has fluffy cake, soft pink strawberry chunks, and plenty of sweet red juices. Store any leftovers covered in the refrigerator for up to 2 days and reheat gently on LOW or in short bursts in the microwave.

For a more old-fashioned, bakery-style feel, add 1 teaspoon of vanilla extract or almond extract to the strawberry mixture before layering. If your family prefers things less sweet, use one can of strawberry pie filling and replace the second with 2 cups of fresh sliced strawberries tossed with 2 to 3 tablespoons of sugar; the cake will still be juicy but a bit lighter. For picky eaters who don’t like visible fruit chunks, you can briefly mash the strawberries with a fork before mixing with the pie filling so the texture is smoother. To make individual servings for a party, layer the ingredients in well-greased 8-ounce ramekins and place them in the slow cooker with a little water in the bottom; cooking time may be slightly shorter, so check around 1 1/2 hours. If you need to keep this dairy-free, be sure your angel food cake and pie filling are made without milk ingredients (most are, but labels can vary). For food safety, keep the dessert on the WARM setting if serving over a longer period, and refrigerate any leftovers within 2 hours of cooking. Reheat leftovers until steaming hot before eating, and discard if they’ve been left at room temperature too long. Always use a clean spoon each time you serve from the slow cooker to avoid introducing bacteria, especially at parties where people are serving themselves.