Mother's Day Magic: Just 4 ingredients. She'll think you spent all day in the kitchen.
This 4-ingredient slow cooker crème brûlée pudding cake is my secret weapon for Mother’s Day when I want something that looks fancy but doesn’t require hovering over the stove. It tastes like a cross between vintage baked custard and a gooey pudding cake, with a glossy, caramelized top that cracks when you tap it with a spoon. The slow cooker does all the work while you handle the rest of your day, and the heavy cream gives it that classic, old-fashioned richness that feels straight out of a church cookbook from the 1970s—just streamlined for a busy modern schedule.
Slow cooker crème brûlée pudding cake with a caramelized top
Serve this warm, straight from the slow cooker, with the lid off so everyone can see the golden, slightly cracked top and the steamy, creamy center. It’s lovely on its own, but you can add a few fresh berries or sliced strawberries on the side to cut the richness. A small scoop of vanilla ice cream or a dollop of whipped cream makes it extra special for Mother’s Day. Coffee, a latte, or hot tea pairs perfectly with the caramelized custard flavor, and if you’re serving brunch, this dessert sits happily next to a simple fruit salad and a light egg bake.
1 cup granulated sugar, divided 2 cups heavy cream 4 large eggs 2 teaspoons vanilla extract
Directions
Lightly grease the inside of a 4- to 6-quart slow cooker with butter or nonstick spray. This helps the custard release easily and keeps the edges from sticking or over-browning.
In a medium mixing bowl, whisk together the eggs and 1/2 cup of the granulated sugar until the mixture is smooth, slightly thickened, and pale, about 1 to 2 minutes by hand. You want the sugar mostly dissolved so the custard bakes up silky.
Eggs and sugar being whisked in a mixing bowl
Whisk in the heavy cream and vanilla extract until everything is fully combined and the mixture looks uniform and creamy. Set aside for a minute while you prepare the caramel layer.
Sprinkle the remaining 1/2 cup granulated sugar evenly over the bottom of the greased slow cooker crock. Try to cover as much surface area as you can with a thin, even layer so it caramelizes consistently.
Turn the slow cooker to HIGH, cover with the lid, and let the plain sugar heat undisturbed for 10 to 15 minutes. You’re looking for the sugar to melt and turn a light to medium amber color around the edges. It may not melt perfectly evenly, and that’s okay—those darker spots give you that vintage, crackly caramel look.
Sugar melting into caramel in the bottom of a slow cooker
Once the sugar has turned a golden amber color and is mostly melted, carefully pour the egg and cream mixture over the hot caramel layer. Pour slowly and close to the surface to avoid splashing; the caramel will sizzle a bit under the custard.
Place a clean kitchen towel over the top of the slow cooker, then set the lid on top of the towel. The towel will catch condensation so it doesn’t drip back onto the custard and ruin the glossy, caramelized surface.
Cook on HIGH for 2 to 2 1/2 hours, or until the edges are set and puffed slightly and the center still has a gentle wobble when you jiggle the crock. A thin knife inserted near the edge should come out mostly clean, while the center remains creamy like a soft pudding.
Slow cooker covered with a towel under the lid during cooking
Turn off the slow cooker and carefully remove the lid and towel, tilting the lid away from you to avoid steam. Let the pudding cake rest in the uncovered slow cooker for 20 to 30 minutes. The surface will deflate a bit and develop delicate cracks as it cools, and you’ll see wisps of steam rising from the creamy interior.
To serve, scoop the crème brûlée pudding cake straight from the slow cooker with a large spoon, making sure to dig down to get some of the caramelized layer from the bottom in each serving. The top should look glossy and golden, with a few crackly spots, and the inside should be soft, custardy, and spoonable.
A spoonful of warm pudding cake being served from the slow cooker
Serve warm for the most dramatic, steamy effect, or let cool to room temperature and refrigerate for a firmer, more traditional custard texture. If you’d like extra caramelized flavor, sprinkle a little additional sugar over individual portions and briefly torch the tops with a kitchen torch just before serving.
Variations & Tips
For a lighter sweetness, reduce the total sugar to 3/4 cup, using 1/4 cup on the bottom and 1/2 cup in the custard—the top will still caramelize, just a bit more gently. For a subtle flavor twist, replace 1/2 teaspoon of the vanilla with almond extract, or add a pinch of ground nutmeg or cinnamon to the custard for a cozy, vintage holiday feel. You can also use half heavy cream and half whole milk for a slightly lighter texture, though the dessert will be less rich and may set a bit softer.
If your slow cooker tends to run hot, check for doneness at the 1 1/2-hour mark to avoid curdling around the edges; if you see bubbles vigorously boiling at the sides, switch to LOW to finish cooking. For individual servings, place 4 to 6 greased heatproof ramekins in the slow cooker, pour the caramel and custard into them, add hot water to the crock halfway up the sides of the ramekins, and cook on HIGH for about 1 1/2 to 2 hours.
Individual ramekins of custard in a slow cooker water bath
Food safety tips: Always use pasteurized heavy cream and fresh eggs, and whisk the custard thoroughly so there are no streaks of unmixed egg. Cook until the custard reaches at least 160°F in the center for safe consumption. Cool leftovers promptly, cover tightly, and refrigerate within 2 hours; enjoy within 3 days. Reheat gently in the microwave at low power or eat chilled—do not leave the dessert at room temperature for extended periods.
