This 4-ingredient slow cooker dessert is the kind of easy summer treat that feels festive without asking much from the cook. The deep magenta fruit and creamy alabaster swirls make it especially fun for National Ice Cream Day, and letting the slow cooker do the work means dessert can be handled well ahead of time while the kitchen stays calm and the house fills with that cozy, sweet aroma.
Serve this warm scoopable bake in small bowls with vanilla ice cream, whipped cream, or a spoonful of Greek yogurt if you want a less sweet finish. It also goes nicely with butter cookies, pound cake cubes, or a handful of toasted nuts on top for a little crunch, and for a family dessert table I like to set out extra berries so everyone can dress up their own serving.
4-Ingredient Slow Cooker National Ice Cream Day Deep Magenta and Alabaster Bake
Servings: 8
Ingredients
1 box white cake mix, about 15.25 ounces
1 can raspberry or mixed berry pie filling, 21 ounces
8 ounces cream cheese, softened and cut into cubes
1/2 cup unsalted butter, melted
Directions
1. Lightly grease the inside of a 6-quart slow cooker. Spread the berry pie filling evenly across the bottom, then scatter the cream cheese cubes over the top.
2. Sprinkle the dry cake mix evenly over the fruit and cream cheese, covering the surface as evenly as you can without stirring.
3. Drizzle the melted butter all over the cake mix, trying to moisten as much of the top as possible. Cover and cook on high for 2 to 2 1/2 hours, or until the edges are bubbling and the top has set into a soft, cobbler-like bake with creamy swirls underneath.
4. Turn off the slow cooker and let the dessert rest for 15 to 20 minutes before scooping. Serve warm, making sure each portion gets both the deep berry filling and the creamy alabaster pockets.
Variations & Tips
Blueberry version: Swap the raspberry or mixed berry pie filling for blueberry pie filling if your family prefers a milder fruit flavor. It gives you the same easy method with a darker, jammy finish that pairs beautifully with vanilla ice cream.
For picky eaters: If cream cheese tang is not everyone's favorite, cut the cubes smaller so they melt more smoothly into the bake. That keeps the creamy look but softens the flavor a bit.
Cleaner scoops: If you'd like neater portions, let the dessert rest a little longer with the lid off before serving. It will still be warm, but the filling will thicken and the scoops will hold together better.
Extra texture: A spoonful of chopped toasted pecans or a few crushed vanilla wafers on top right before serving adds a nice contrast to the soft fruit filling and tender topping.