My sister begged me for a sweet spring treat and this 3 ingredient hack delivered. Wrap up the batter in individual parcels and let them bake into warm gooey perfection without any dishes.

These slow cooker 3-ingredient red velvet brownie packets were born out of one of those weeks where work was nuts, my sink was already full of dishes, and my sister texted begging for a sweet spring treat. Instead of turning on the oven, I grabbed a boxed red velvet cake mix, a couple of simple add-ins, and wrapped the batter into little foil parcels that bake right in the slow cooker. The result: warm, gooey, fudgy brownies with almost no cleanup and built-in portion control. It’s a fun, low-stress dessert that feels special enough for a spring get-together but easy enough for a random Tuesday night.

Serve the warm brownie packets straight from the slow cooker, still wrapped in their little foil bundles. Dust the tops with powdered sugar right before serving for that soft, springtime look, then let everyone open their own packet at the table. These are perfect with a scoop of vanilla ice cream, a dollop of whipped cream, or a handful of fresh berries on the side. For a cozy movie night, pair them with coffee or hot chocolate; for a lighter spring vibe, serve with iced coffee, cold brew, or a simple glass of cold milk.

Servings: 8

1 (15.25-ounce) box red velvet cake mix

Prepare the foil packets: Tear off 8 sheets of aluminum foil, each about 8 to 10 inches long. Lightly crumple and then flatten them back out so they’re flexible. If you’re worried about sticking, lightly mist the center of each piece with nonstick cooking spray.

Make the brownie batter: In a medium mixing bowl, add the red velvet cake mix, melted butter, and eggs. Stir with a spatula or wooden spoon until a thick, glossy batter forms and no dry pockets of mix remain. The batter will be thicker than cake batter and closer to brownie consistency.

Portion the batter: Divide the batter evenly among the 8 foil pieces, placing it in the center of each sheet. Use the back of a spoon to spread the batter into a rough 3-inch circle or oval so it’s about 1/2-inch thick, leaving at least 1 inch of foil border all around.

Wrap the packets: Bring the long sides of each foil sheet up and over the batter and fold them together to seal, then fold in the short ends to create a snug packet. You want the packets sealed so steam stays in, but not pressed so tightly that the batter has no room to puff slightly.

Arrange in the slow cooker: Place the foil packets in the slow cooker in a single layer as much as possible. A little overlapping is fine, but avoid stacking them directly on top of each other so they cook evenly. Cover the slow cooker with its lid.

Cook the brownie packets: Cook on HIGH for 2 to 2 1/2 hours, or on LOW for 3 1/2 to 4 hours. The packets are done when the brownies feel set around the edges but still slightly soft and gooey in the center when you gently press the top through the foil.

Rest briefly: Turn off the slow cooker and let the packets sit, covered, for 10 to 15 minutes. This helps the brownies finish setting while staying soft and fudgy. They will firm up a bit as they cool but remain moist.

Dust and serve: Carefully lift the hot packets out of the slow cooker using tongs. Place them seam-side up in the slow cooker insert or on a serving plate. Gently open the tops just enough to expose the brownie surface, then lightly dust with powdered sugar. Reclose the foil if you want to keep them warm, or serve immediately so everyone can unwrap their own warm, gooey red velvet brownie packet.

For extra richness, swap 1 to 2 tablespoons of the melted butter with neutral oil for an even fudgier texture. If you like a tangy red velvet vibe, add a teaspoon of vanilla extract and a teaspoon of white vinegar to the batter (this technically adds ingredients, but it’s a nice upgrade when you’re not strict about the 3-ingredient hack). To make them more spring-forward, top the opened packets with fresh berries and a spoonful of whipped cream instead of powdered sugar. You can also stir in a small handful of chocolate chips or white chocolate chips into the batter before portioning for a melty surprise in the center. If you need to serve a crowd, double the recipe and cook in batches, keeping finished packets warm in the slow cooker on the KEEP WARM setting. For easier cleanup on especially busy nights, line the bottom of the slow cooker with an extra layer of foil before adding the packets so any stray drips don’t stick. Leftover packets store well in the fridge for up to 3 days; just rewarm them in the slow cooker on LOW or in a low oven, still wrapped in foil, until soft and gooey again.