My neighbor served this at her porch gathering and everyone begged for the secret. Takes only 4 ingredients to make the ultimate summer comfort dessert.

This slow cooker 4-ingredient blueberry buckle is exactly the kind of dessert my Midwest neighbors and I pass around at porch gatherings all summer long. It’s the ultimate comfort dessert: soft yellow cake, pockets of juicy, bubbling blueberries, and a golden, buttery crumb on top—without heating up your whole kitchen. My neighbor actually brought this to a Friday night porch hang, and everyone begged her for the recipe. When she confessed it was just four ingredients and a slow cooker, we all laughed and immediately asked for the details. This is a semi-homemade spin on the classic buckle (a vintage cake that “buckles” around the fruit as it bakes), but simplified for busy weeknights and lazy weekends.

Serve this blueberry buckle warm, scooped straight from the slow cooker or plated in generous spoonfuls so you can see the soft yellow cake, bubbling dark purple berries, and golden crumb topping. It’s perfect with a scoop of vanilla ice cream, a dollop of whipped cream, or even a spoonful of plain Greek yogurt if you want it to feel more brunchy than dessert-y. Pair it with iced coffee, cold brew, or a glass of chilled white wine on the porch. For a cookout, I like to set the slow cooker insert on warm, place a stack of small white plates and spoons nearby, and let everyone help themselves as they wander in and out of the house.

Servings: 8

2 cups fresh or frozen blueberries (no need to thaw if frozen)

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

Spread the blueberries evenly over the bottom of the slow cooker. If using frozen blueberries, add them straight from the freezer and spread them out in an even layer.

In a medium mixing bowl, combine the dry yellow cake mix and milk. Stir with a spatula or wooden spoon just until a thick, scoopable batter forms and no dry streaks of cake mix remain. The batter will be thicker than pancake batter but softer than cookie dough.

Dollop the cake batter over the blueberries in the slow cooker, then gently spread it out with the back of a spoon or spatula to mostly cover the berries. It’s okay if some blueberries peek through; the batter will spread and “buckle” around the fruit as it cooks.

Drizzle the melted butter evenly over the top of the batter. As it cooks, the butter will help create a golden, slightly crisp crumb-like topping on the surface of the cake.

Cover the slow cooker with its lid. Cook on HIGH for 2 to 2 1/2 hours, or on LOW for 3 1/2 to 4 hours, until the top looks set and lightly golden, the edges are pulling slightly away from the sides, and a toothpick inserted into the cake portion (avoiding the berries) comes out mostly clean.

Once done, turn the slow cooker to WARM and let the buckle sit, covered, for 10 to 15 minutes. This rest time helps the blueberry juices thicken slightly and makes it easier to scoop clean servings.

To serve, spoon the warm blueberry buckle into shallow white plates or bowls so you can see the soft yellow cake studded with bubbling dark purple berries and the golden crumb-like top. Add ice cream or whipped cream if you’d like, and enjoy right away.

Store any leftovers in a covered container in the refrigerator for up to 3 days. Reheat single servings in the microwave for 20 to 30 seconds, just until warm.

You can easily tweak this 4-ingredient buckle to fit your schedule and what you have on hand, as long as you keep the same simple spirit. For a slightly tangier flavor, swap the milk for buttermilk; the batter will be a bit thicker and the cake a touch more tender. If you only have a white cake mix instead of yellow, that works too—the flavor will be a little lighter but still delicious. You can also mix in up to 1/2 cup of another berry (like raspberries or blackberries) with the blueberries for a mixed-berry version without changing the basic method. If you prefer a drier top, crack the lid open slightly for the last 20 to 30 minutes of cooking to let a bit of steam escape and encourage more browning. For easier cleanup on especially busy nights, you can line the slow cooker with a parchment sling before greasing it; this makes it simpler to lift out larger pieces to plate. Food safety tips: Always make sure the cake is cooked through in the center before serving; slow cookers can vary, so use the toothpick test and look for a set, not jiggly, top. Do not leave the dessert at room temperature for more than 2 hours; cool leftovers promptly and refrigerate. If using frozen blueberries, keep them frozen until you’re ready to assemble to minimize time in the temperature “danger zone.” Reheat leftovers only once and discard any portions that have developed an off smell, color, or texture.