My uncle invented this for our family beach trip and it is always a massive hit. It takes exactly 4 ingredients to create the ultimate summer vacation dessert.

This slow cooker 4-ingredient blue Hawaiian dump cake is one of those happy family accidents that turns into a tradition. My uncle first threw it together for a big beach trip years ago, and we’ve made it every summer since. It’s the kind of dessert you can toss into the slow cooker in minutes, then go enjoy the day while it turns into a warm, bubbly, tropical treat. With sweet crushed pineapple, bright blue cherry syrup, a buttery cake mix topping, and toasted coconut, it feels like a little vacation in a bowl—without heating up the whole kitchen.

Serve this blue Hawaiian dump cake warm, scooped straight from the slow cooker or spooned onto small dessert plates. It’s especially good with a scoop of vanilla ice cream, whipped cream, or even a dollop of coconut whipped topping to play up the tropical flavors. Pair it with iced tea, lemonade, or a fun mocktail for the kids, and coffee for the grown-ups. It makes a perfect finish to grilled burgers, hot dogs, or barbecue chicken—basically any casual summer meal where everyone’s a little sun-tired and ready for something sweet and comforting.

Servings: 8-10

2 cans (20 ounces each) crushed pineapple in juice, undrained

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

Pour the undrained crushed pineapple into the bottom of the slow cooker and spread it into an even layer with a spoon. The juice helps keep everything moist and creates that gooey fruit base.

Spoon the blue-tinted cherry pie filling over the pineapple layer. Gently spread it so most of the pineapple is covered, but don’t worry if it’s not perfect—those uneven spots create nice pockets of fruit.

Sprinkle the dry yellow cake mix evenly over the fruit layers, covering the surface from edge to edge. Try not to stir; you want the cake mix resting on top so it can form a crispy golden crust as it cooks.

Slowly drizzle the melted butter all over the dry cake mix, trying to moisten as much of the surface as you can. It’s okay if a few dry patches remain; they’ll hydrate as the fruit bubbles up.

Sprinkle the sweetened shredded coconut evenly over the top. This will toast as the dump cake cooks, giving you that pretty golden, slightly crunchy topping.

Cover the slow cooker with the lid and cook on HIGH for 2 1/2 to 3 hours, or on LOW for 4 to 5 hours, until the edges are bubbly, the top is mostly set and golden, and the coconut is toasted. The center will stay a bit gooey from the fruit—that’s what you want.

Once done, turn off the slow cooker and let the dump cake sit, covered, for about 15 minutes. This helps it thicken slightly so it scoops more neatly while still staying saucy underneath.

Spoon the warm blue Hawaiian dump cake into bowls or onto plates, making sure to dig down for that gooey pineapple-cherry layer under the crispy, coconutty top. Serve as-is or with ice cream or whipped cream.

For picky eaters, you can skip the shredded coconut or just sprinkle it over half the slow cooker so coconut fans and non-fans both get what they like. If you can’t find blue-tinted cherry pie filling, you can gently stir a few drops of blue food coloring into regular cherry pie filling before adding it, or use a blue raspberry dessert topping mixed with cherry pie filling to keep that bright blue syrupy look. For a slightly less sweet version, choose pineapple in juice instead of heavy syrup and use an unsweetened shredded coconut. If you prefer a stronger tropical flavor, add a teaspoon of coconut extract to the melted butter before drizzling it on. For a crisper top, prop the slow cooker lid open with a wooden spoon handle during the last 30 minutes of cooking to let some steam escape. Food safety tips: Always start with clean hands and utensils, and be sure your slow cooker insert is intact with no cracks. Keep perishable leftovers refrigerated within 2 hours of cooking; transfer the dump cake to a shallow container to cool faster, then cover and store in the fridge for up to 3 days. Reheat portions in the microwave until steaming hot all the way through. Do not leave the slow cooker on WARM for more than 2 hours after the dessert has finished cooking, and never reheat leftovers in the slow cooker—use the oven or microwave instead.