Put uncooked refrigerated cookie dough rounds in the pot and 2 other pantry staples to get a treat so delicious your friends will be begging for more.

This 3-ingredient slow cooker Independence Day cookie dough dessert is the kind of easy treat busy families can actually pull off on a hectic holiday. You start with uncooked refrigerated cookie dough rounds, scatter them in the bottom of your slow cooker, then add just two pantry staples to turn them into a warm, gooey, shareable dessert. It feels a little like a cookie bar and a cobbler had a baby, and you can scoop it right out of the pot while everyone watches the fireworks. It’s perfect for potlucks, backyard cookouts, or when you just want something fun and festive without heating up the whole kitchen.

Serve big spoonfuls of the warm cookie dessert in small bowls or mason jars, topped with vanilla ice cream or whipped cream and a few red and blue sprinkles to play up the Independence Day theme. It pairs nicely with fresh berries on the side and a cold glass of milk for the kids or iced coffee for the grownups. If you’re hosting a cookout, set the slow cooker right on the dessert table, keep it on warm, and let everyone scoop their own portion after burgers and hot dogs.

Servings: 8

1 (16–18 oz) roll or package uncooked refrigerated cookie dough rounds (about 12–16 pre-cut rounds, any flavor)

Lightly spray the bottom and lower sides of a 4- to 6-quart slow cooker with nonstick cooking spray to help with easy cleanup.

Arrange the uncooked refrigerated cookie dough rounds in a single, even layer on the bottom of the slow cooker. It’s fine if they touch or slightly overlap; just try to cover most of the bottom surface. The top should look like a close-up layer of cookie dough rounds pressed together.

In a small bowl, stir together the sweetened condensed milk and the mini chocolate chips or sprinkles until evenly combined.

Drizzle the sweetened condensed milk mixture evenly over the cookie dough rounds, trying to cover as much of the surface as you can. This will bake into a gooey, caramel-like layer that holds everything together.

Cover the slow cooker with the lid. Cook on LOW for 2 to 2 1/2 hours, or until the edges of the cookie dough look set and lightly browned and the center is mostly set but still a little soft and gooey. Avoid opening the lid in the first 1 1/2 hours so the dessert cooks evenly.

Once done, turn the slow cooker to WARM and let the dessert sit, uncovered, for about 10–15 minutes to firm up slightly. It will still be very soft and scoopable, more like a cookie cobbler than individual cookies.

Scoop the warm cookie dough dessert into bowls, add extra mini chocolate chips or sprinkles on top if you like, and serve right away. Store any leftovers, cooled completely, in a covered container in the refrigerator for up to 3 days, and rewarm gently in the microwave before serving.

For an extra patriotic Independence Day touch, use red, white, and blue sprinkles in place of the mini chocolate chips, or do a mix of both. You can also swap in different flavors of refrigerated cookie dough rounds—chocolate chip, sugar, or peanut butter all work well. If your family loves nuts, sprinkle 2–3 tablespoons of chopped pecans or walnuts over the top along with the chips. For picky eaters, stick to classic chocolate chip dough and leave off any toppings they might fuss about; you can always set out sprinkles and extra chips on the side so everyone can customize. If you prefer a less sweet dessert, reduce the sweetened condensed milk to 3 tablespoons and add 1 tablespoon regular milk to thin it slightly before drizzling. Food safety tips: Always use commercially prepared, refrigerated cookie dough rounds that are intended to be baked, and cook them fully in the slow cooker until the center is set and reaches a safe temperature (the dough should no longer look raw or glossy). Do not leave the dessert sitting at room temperature for more than 2 hours; refrigerate leftovers promptly. Reheat only the portion you plan to eat, and discard any leftovers that develop an off smell or appearance. If your slow cooker runs hot, start checking for doneness around 1 hour 45 minutes to avoid burning the edges.