This 3-ingredient slow cooker treat is the kind of easy dessert that saves the day when it is just too hot to turn on the oven. Using dry red velvet cake mix powder, pie filling, and butter, it bakes up into a soft, rich cobbler-style dessert with almost no effort at all. It is a wonderful choice for potlucks, family movie nights, or anytime you want something sweet and comforting without a lot of fuss.
Serve this warm with a scoop of vanilla ice cream, a dollop of whipped cream, or a drizzle of cream cheese glaze for a red velvet dessert that feels extra special. Fresh strawberries or raspberries on the side are also lovely, and if you are serving guests, a hot cup of coffee or a cold glass of milk makes it feel like a real treat.
3-Ingredient Slow Cooker August Heat Treat
Servings: 8
Ingredients
1 box red velvet cake mix
1 can cherry pie filling, about 21 ounces
1/2 cup unsalted butter, melted
Directions
1. Lightly grease the inside of your slow cooker. Spread the cherry pie filling evenly across the bottom.
2. Sprinkle the dry red velvet cake mix powder evenly over the pie filling, covering the top as completely as you can.
3. Drizzle the melted butter all over the top, trying to moisten as much of the cake mix as possible.
4. Cover and cook on low for 2 to 3 hours, or until the top is set and the edges are bubbling. Let it rest uncovered for 10 minutes before serving.
5. Spoon the warm dessert into bowls and serve plain or with vanilla ice cream or whipped cream if you like.
Variations & Tips
Use a liner for easy cleanup: If your slow cooker tends to stick, a slow cooker liner can make cleanup much easier, especially with fruit desserts like this one.
Try a different filling: Cherry is especially pretty with red velvet, but strawberry, raspberry, or even mixed berry pie filling will also taste wonderful.
Make it extra rich: For a more decadent finish, drizzle a little cream cheese glaze over each serving. That flavor pairing makes it taste even more like classic red velvet cake.
For picky eaters: If your family prefers a smoother fruit texture, use a spoon to break up the pie filling a bit before adding the cake mix so every bite feels softer and more even.
Watch the timing: Slow cookers can vary, so check the dessert around the 2-hour mark. You want the top to look set and the filling around the edges to be hot and bubbly, but not overcooked.