Star-Spangled Sweetness: Just 5 ingredients. Put it together in the morning and let the pot do all the heavy lifting!

This 5-ingredient slow cooker Fourth of July Cobalt Swirl is a fun, low-stress dessert that looks like a bubbling, patriotic lava lamp in your crockpot. Layers of white cake mix, sweet cherry pie filling, and bright blue gelatin melt together into a glistening cobalt blue and crimson swirl that kids and adults love. You toss everything in the slow cooker in the morning, let it bubble away while you enjoy the day, and come back to a warm, scoopable treat that feels special without keeping you in the kitchen.

Serve big spoonfuls of the warm cobalt swirl in bowls with scoops of vanilla ice cream or a dollop of whipped topping. The cold creaminess against the hot, jammy fruit and soft cake is especially good. For a full Fourth of July spread, pair it with grilled burgers or brats, corn on the cob, and a simple green salad. A pitcher of lemonade or iced tea on the side keeps things festive. If you want to lean into the red, white, and blue theme, sprinkle a few patriotic sprinkles on top of each serving right before bringing it to the table.

Servings: 8

1 box (about 15.25 oz) white cake mix

Spray the inside of a 4- to 6-quart slow cooker with nonstick cooking spray to help prevent sticking and make cleanup easier.

Spoon the cherry pie filling into the bottom of the slow cooker and spread it into an even layer so the crimson color shows through once it bubbles.

In a medium bowl, whisk together the dry white cake mix and the blue raspberry gelatin powder until the color looks evenly speckled and bright cobalt.

Sprinkle the dry cake and gelatin mixture evenly over the cherry pie filling, covering it completely but not stirring. You want separate layers so the red and blue can swirl naturally as it cooks.

Drizzle the melted butter as evenly as you can over the dry mix. Try to cover most of the surface; it’s okay if there are a few dry patches, as the soda will help moisten them.

Slowly pour the lemon-lime soda over the top, aiming to wet the dry spots without stirring. The mixture will fizz a bit, which helps create that molten, bubbling surface later.

Cover the slow cooker with the lid and cook on HIGH for 2.5 to 3 hours, or on LOW for 4 to 5 hours, until the top looks puffed, the edges are set, and the surface is glossy, bubbling, and swirled with cobalt blue and crimson.

Once done, turn off the slow cooker and let the dessert sit with the lid off for about 10 to 15 minutes to thicken slightly. The top should still look molten and shiny, but the cake underneath will be soft and spoonable.

To serve, scoop the warm cobalt swirl straight from the slow cooker into bowls, making sure to dig down so you get both the bright blue cake and the crimson cherry filling in each serving.

For picky eaters who aren’t sure about blue desserts, you can swap the blue raspberry gelatin for strawberry or cherry gelatin and simply call it a red-hot cherry cobbler; it will still be delicious, just less dramatic in color. If you’d like a slightly less sweet version, use a sugar-free lemon-lime soda and a sugar-free gelatin mix. You can also use blueberry pie filling in place of part or all of the cherry for a deeper blue tone and a mixed-berry flavor—just keep the total amount of pie filling to about 21 ounces so the texture stays right. For a more pronounced white element, serve with plenty of vanilla ice cream or whipped cream on top, and add patriotic sprinkles right before serving. Food safety tips: Make sure your slow cooker is in good working order and set on a stable, heat-safe surface away from the edge of the counter, especially if kids are around. Keep the lid on while cooking to maintain a safe temperature; only lift it briefly to check doneness toward the end of the cooking time. Leftovers should be cooled slightly at room temperature (no more than 1 to 2 hours), then transferred to a shallow, covered container and refrigerated. Reheat single servings in the microwave until hot all the way through before eating. Because this dessert contains fruit and cooked cake, it should be eaten within 3 to 4 days for best quality.