Okay, I have a confession. I love dessert, but I really don’t love the work. I want the brownie, but I don’t want the hassle.
Enter the slow cooker. It is the cheat code for people who want luscious, decadent treats without turning on the oven.
These recipes might not win a beauty contest, but they will absolutely win your heart. And your stomach. And your tastebuds.
1. 3-Ingredient Caramel Fondue
This recipe is a total game changer. We know chocolate fondue is rich and smooth and delicious. No arguments there.
But a pot of warm caramel that is ready for fruit dunking? I might actually be in heaven.
You need to stir this one so it doesn’t catch on the bottom. Feel free to experiment here. I always add sea salt and whatever dark booze is around. A splash of bourbon is never a bad idea.
2. Slow Cooker Bread Pudding
Hello to this quick and cheap dessert. It is rich, creamy, filling, and generally wonderful.
I have two tips for you on this journey. Always use stale bread and let the mix sit overnight if you have the time.
The stale bread soaks up the creaminess and the final result is velvety smooth.
3. Slow Cooker Peanut Clusters
When I am making cake pops, I often use the slow cooker on warm to keep the chocolate liquid while I work.
This recipe uses that same concept and makes melting chocolate chips a total breeze. Plus there is zero chance of burning your arm on hot steam.
4. Crockpot Banana Bread
It is not uncommon to bake a quickbread in the oven and find it dry. They take about an hour and extras can make the bake time even longer.
Using the slow cooker guarantees it comes out beautifully tender. Just remember to raise the loaf pan on a rack or add water to the pot so the bottom doesn’t burn.
5. Crockpot Dulce de Leche
If you are not making your own dulce de leche, you need to start right now. I promise it is crazy easy.
Do you have a can of condensed milk and a slow cooker? That is literally all you need.
I have done this for years and it works every time. Add the can, cover with water, and set on low overnight. If you are nervous about it going too far, use tight seal mason jars so you can see the color changing.
6. Slow Cooker Chocolate Cherry Dump Cake
A dump cake means you dump ingredients in the pot and let the oven do the work. The name might not be cute but the short prep time is calling my name.
This dessert is basically a chocolate and cherry cobbler. It is glossy with tart cherries on the bottom and a decadent layer of chocolate cake baked on top.
Three ingredients and 10 minutes later means you have this cooking while you finish laundry.
7. Crockpot Pecan Pie
I was hesitant about this one. Pecan pie in a slow cooker sounded sketchy. But boy was I wrong.
All you need is store bought pie dough and a parchment paper liner. Oval cookers need extra filling but my round cooker made this look pretty pie like.
Try folding pleats in the parchment paper to get your edges smooth.
8. Crockpot Chocolate Caramel Cake
When I was younger I requested my chocolate cake warm. There is just nothing more indulgent than melted chocolate cake.
This recipe kicks it up with a layer of caramel that seeps into the cake. It leaves you with one tasty mess.
If you really want an ooey gooey scoop, add chocolate chips between the cake and caramel.
9. Easy Slow Cooker Applesauce Spice Cake
This cake is dense and moist and brimming with fall flavors.
The only way to make this better is adding chopped apple chunks. And maybe topping it off with lashings of brown sugar glaze.
10. Slow Cooker Chocolate Fondue
If you are indulging in chocolate, it should be a pot of silky ganache with a platter of fruit, marshmallows, cookies, brownies, and potato chips.
When making ganache on the stove, the cream can split if it heats too fast. There is no chance of that here.
Stir every 10 minutes and make it as dark or light as you want.
11. Slow Cooker Lemon Cake
Looking for something light for spring? This is perfect for a quick coffee morning.
This lemon poppy seed cake is super moist and brimming with zest thanks to the tangy lemon glaze.
You need to pour it over the hot cake to give it time to soak in.
12. Slow Cooker Oatmeal Chocolate Chip Cookies (Gluten-Free, Paleo)
This recipe has nine ingredients and is gluten free and makes one of the best chewy oatmeal cookies I have ever tried.
Be sure to get gluten free oats. You can replace the eggs with applesauce or mashed bananas if you want to make it vegan.
13. Slow Cooker Peanut Butter Chocolate Chip Blondies
If you live in a hot climate this recipe is your saving grace.
We all get cravings in the summer but putting the oven on is too much. That is the beauty of the slow cooker.
Remember to add layers of paper towels over the top to avoid condensation disasters. I am a huge fan of blondies and when I tried these I was hooked.
14. Slow Cooker Baked Apples
Baked apples are a great way to enjoy dessert without guilt. Instead of buttery pastry these use the apples to hold a spiced oat filling.
Think of them as individual portions of apple crisp. Scoop out the middle and fill with oats, brown sugar, and cinnamon.
Serve with a big scoop of ice cream.
15. Crockpot Pear Butter Recipe
Fruit butters are highly concentrated fruit spreads. They are cooked down until silky smooth and bursting with flavor.
These make great gifts and are a nice way to use excess fruit. I make all kinds and use them on toast and bagels and to flavor plain yogurt.
16. Amazing Crockpot Chocolate Pistachio Poke Cake
This cake recipe includes instant pudding mix and sour cream so you know it will be insanely moist.
When adding your top layer always remember to be liberal when poking holes in your cake. And always pour when the cake is still warm.
17. Crockpot Rice Pudding
Rice pudding was a staple for me growing up. My nana made it every Sunday with lots of sugar and evaporated milk.
It is simple and sweet and economical. You have rice in the cupboard and you just need to add sugar and milk and maybe cinnamon.
I have been making a brown rice version with coconut milk. Top it with chopped mango for a super satisfying breakfast.
18. Mixed Berry Dump Cake
I am pretty sure we all have cake mix in the cupboard. And I bet there is a bag of frozen fruit in your freezer.
Am I right? Then you have everything you need for this sweet and tart and warm berry dump cake.
Feel free to mix up the berries. I usually have way more blueberries than anything else.
19. Slow Cooker Rocky Road Candy
Like the peanut clusters this genius recipe uses the Crockpot to melt chocolate and peanut butter and marshmallows perfectly.
Once it is silky smooth you stir through your extras and spoon onto a lined baking sheet. Peanuts and mini marshmallows are classic but I like to throw in brownie chunks and chopped cherries.
20. Slow Cooker Peppermint Hot Chocolate Recipe
I do not leave hot chocolate for just the colder months.
It is good on a chilly winter night but there is something comforting about a mug of hot chocolate on a warm summer eve. And this is the best way to make it.
Throw everything in the cooker and leave it to warm through. Your guests will thank you later.
21. Slow Cooker Blackberry Cobbler
This recipe is similar to Bisquick peach cobbler. It is as easy as dumping it in the pot and trying to be patient.
I love how thick this slow cook makes the fruit layer by letting the cornstarch do its thing. If you are a fan of Bisquick you can easily swap it out for a thicker top.
22. The Best Crockpot S’mores Cake Recipe
Here is another recipe that is marvelously messy and devilishly delicious.
Just picture tender moist chocolate cake loaded with marshmallows and chocolate chips. But wait because it gets better.
The whole thing gets smothered in marshmallow Fluff and sprinkled with graham crackers. I suggest abandoning the bowls and diving right in.
23. Deliciously Rich Slow Cooker Fudge
If you have made fudge you know it can be tiring. It needs to hit a certain temperature and needs a good beating. My biceps are never ready for fudge season.
With this version the ingredients slowly melt together and you just stir every 15 to 30 minutes. How easy is that?
24. Crockpot Strawberry Cream Cake
What could make this sweet pink strawberry infused cake better? How about a cheesecake swirl.
It is such an easy way to add a different texture and a light creaminess to the cake.
25. Slow Cooker Chocolate Chip Scones
I have to preface this for the die hard scone addicts. These are light and fluffy but not your typical scones. Still they are worth a try.
The recipe is similar to a regular scone recipe but since it is in the slow cooker you do not get the same firm edge as the oven. That being said the texture is so light and moist.
26. Slow Cooker Coffee Cake
This is not your average coffee cake. Rather than a crumbly cinnamon topping this cake absorbs all that spice. Each bite is better than the last.
If you think you will miss the texture why not try adding some chopped walnuts to the mix.
27. Crockpot Peach Cobbler
Even though it is served warm nothing screams summer like a big bowl of peach cobbler. The colors are just too sunny.
Make this for your next BBQ and be prepared to receive praise. You should probably plug in both Crockpots and make double.
28. Easy Slow Cooker Carrot Cake Recipe
This is so much more than just carrot cake. It is pudding and caramel and spice cake and streusel and coconut and carrots and pecans all in one dangerously delicious pot.
Since this cake has cheesecake pudding right in the mix you won’t need frosting.
I used dulce de leche because I prefer the deeper flavor and thicker texture but salted caramel would be just as dreamy.
29. Crockpot Bananas Foster
I have a deep love for everything banana. I like it in smoothies and bread and cocktails.
But when it comes to pancakes bananas Foster is my biggest vice. This version is so simple and no flaming pans in sight.
30. Crockpot Poached Pears
Poached pears are a great way to show off without actually doing much work. Once you have the poaching liquid and spices you can pretty much let them do their thing.
Once they soften they can be used in cakes or tarts. Can I tell you a secret? You can reuse the poaching liquid. Keep it in the fridge and you will get another round out of it.
