Easter Sunday Sweets: Just 5 ingredients. I prep this when I want a rich holiday treat handled hours ahead of the family gathering.

This 5-ingredient slow cooker Amish-style caramel pudding is my secret weapon for Easter Sunday and other big family gatherings. It turns into a soft, spongy caramelized mass that sits in a pool of dark amber syrup, staying warm and ready until everyone is finally done with the ham and sides. The method borrows from old-fashioned Amish steamed puddings and boiled caramel desserts, but leans on the slow cooker so you can prep it hours ahead and let gentle heat do the work. It’s rich, simple, and deeply comforting—the kind of holiday sweet that feels like it’s been on the table for generations.

Serve this warm right out of the slow cooker, spooned into small bowls with plenty of the dark caramel syrup ladled over each portion. A dollop of lightly sweetened whipped cream or a scoop of vanilla ice cream plays nicely against the dense, spongy texture and intense caramel flavor. Strong coffee or hot tea helps balance the sweetness, and if you’re serving a big Easter spread, this pairs especially well after salty hams, scalloped potatoes, and spring vegetables because it gives a cozy, custardy finish without needing any last-minute fuss.

Servings: 8

1 cup packed light brown sugar

Lightly grease the inside of a 4- to 6-quart slow cooker with butter or nonstick spray so the pudding releases easily and the caramel doesn’t stick too aggressively.

Make the caramel syrup base: In a small saucepan, combine the brown sugar and 1 cup of the water. Bring to a gentle simmer over medium heat, stirring until the sugar is fully dissolved and the mixture looks like a deep amber syrup, 3 to 5 minutes. Remove from heat and set aside to cool for a few minutes while you mix the batter.

Prepare the spongy batter: In a medium bowl, whisk together the flour and baking powder until the baking powder is evenly distributed. Pour in the melted, slightly cooled butter and the remaining 1/2 cup water. Stir just until a thick, smooth batter forms; it will be dense but spreadable. Avoid overmixing so the pudding stays tender.

Assemble in the slow cooker: Pour the warm caramel syrup into the bottom of the greased slow cooker crock. It will look quite thin at this stage—that’s what you want. Carefully dollop the batter over the syrup in large spoonfuls, then gently spread it into an even layer from edge to edge. The batter will float and sink in spots as it cooks, creating that characteristic spongy caramelized mass.

Cook low and slow: Cover the slow cooker with its lid. Cook on LOW for 2 1/2 to 3 hours, or until the top of the pudding is set, puffed, and spongy to the touch. You should see thick, dark amber syrup bubbling up around the edges and through a few cracks in the surface, with a bit of steam escaping when you lift the lid.

Rest and serve: Turn off the slow cooker and let the pudding sit, covered, for 10 to 15 minutes to settle. The top will look like a soft, slightly craggy sponge, and underneath will be a glossy, dark caramel sauce. To serve, spoon generous scoops of the warm pudding into bowls, making sure to dig down to capture plenty of the syrup. Keep the slow cooker on the WARM setting during your gathering so guests can help themselves to seconds.

For a slightly more custardy texture, replace 1/4 cup of the water in the batter with whole milk or half-and-half; it will stay within the spirit of a simple pantry dessert while giving a richer crumb. If you like a deeper, almost smoky caramel flavor, cook the brown sugar and water mixture a bit longer until it darkens further, watching closely so it doesn’t burn. You can also play with the sugar: using dark brown sugar instead of light will push the flavor toward molasses and give a darker amber syrup. For individual servings, spoon the caramel into well-greased heatproof ramekins, divide the batter over the top, and nestle them in the slow cooker with a bit of hot water around them (about halfway up the sides) to create a water bath; the texture will be slightly more delicate but still spongy. Leftovers reheat nicely in the microwave with a splash of water to loosen the syrup. If you’re planning ahead for a holiday, you can assemble the dry ingredients the night before and store them in a jar, then just add the butter and water in the morning so the slow cooker can quietly handle dessert while you focus on the rest of the meal.