Dad's Sunday Special: Only 4 ingredients. I love this one because it does all the hard work while we enjoy the afternoon.

This slow cooker molasses bake is my idea of the perfect Father’s Day dessert: it uses only four pantry-friendly ingredients, it bubbles away in the slow cooker while everyone hangs out, and it comes out with that glistening dark molasses base and a toasty, craggy, oat-colored crust on top. It’s loosely inspired by old-fashioned molasses puddings and cobblers, but streamlined for a busy Sunday where you’d rather be outside with Dad than hovering over the oven.

Serve this warm right out of the slow cooker, spooned into bowls so you catch both the gooey molasses layer and the craggy golden crust. A scoop of vanilla ice cream or a dollop of whipped cream melts into the hot molasses and makes it extra special for Father’s Day. If you want to turn it into a bigger spread, pair it with grilled burgers or brats and a simple green salad, then finish the meal with big spoonfuls of this dessert and mugs of coffee or cold milk.

Servings: 6

1 cup dark molasses

Grease the inside of a 4- to 6-quart slow cooker crock lightly with butter to help prevent sticking and to encourage a nicely browned crust around the edges.

In a medium bowl, whisk together the dark molasses and boiling water until the mixture is smooth and the molasses is fully dissolved. This will be your glossy, dark base that bubbles up as it cooks.

Pour the molasses mixture into the bottom of the prepared slow cooker and spread it into an even layer with a spoon or spatula.

In a separate bowl, stir together the self-rising flour and melted butter with a fork until just combined. The mixture will be thick and a bit lumpy; that’s what creates the craggy, toasted-oat colored crust on top.

Drop spoonfuls of the flour-butter mixture evenly over the molasses layer. Do not stir; you want distinct blobs of batter so they bake up into a bumpy, bubbling crust as the molasses base simmers underneath.

Cover the slow cooker with the lid. Cook on HIGH for 2 to 2 1/2 hours, or on LOW for 4 to 4 1/2 hours, until the top is set, puffed, and a deep golden oat color with darker, caramelized edges, and you can see thick bubbles of molasses around the sides.

Once cooked, turn off the slow cooker and let the molasses bake stand with the lid off for about 10 to 15 minutes to firm up slightly while keeping its gooey texture underneath.

Spoon the warm molasses bake into bowls, making sure each serving gets some of the dark, glossy molasses base and some of the craggy toasted crust from the top. Serve as-is or with ice cream or whipped cream.

To change things up while keeping the spirit of the recipe, you can swap part of the molasses for maple syrup or honey (use 3/4 cup molasses and 1/4 cup maple or honey) for a slightly lighter flavor while still getting that dark, glossy base. If you don’t have self-rising flour, make your own by whisking together 1 cup all-purpose flour with 1 1/2 teaspoons baking powder and 1/4 teaspoon fine salt; keep the rest of the recipe the same. For a spiced version that feels extra cozy, stir 1 teaspoon ground cinnamon and a pinch of nutmeg into the self-rising flour before adding the melted butter. You can also add a small pinch of flaky salt over the finished bake to balance the sweetness, which many dads love. Food safety tips: Make sure the slow cooker reaches and maintains a proper simmer (the edges should be actively bubbling) for at least 2 hours on HIGH or 4 hours on LOW to ensure the dessert is thoroughly cooked in the center. Avoid lifting the lid frequently, as this releases heat and can increase cooking time. Leftovers should be cooled to room temperature within 1 to 2 hours, then covered and refrigerated for up to 3 days; reheat individual portions in the microwave until steaming hot before serving.