My aunt brought these to our spring brunch and they disappeared instantly. Using just 4 ingredients to make these little foil pouches results in the most perfect fluffy treat that everyone will beg yo

My aunt first showed up with these little foil-wrapped angel food cakes at a spring brunch out at the church fellowship hall, and I swear they vanished before the ham even hit the table. They’re almost too simple to believe: just four ingredients tucked into tidy foil pouches and nestled into the slow cooker until they puff into the lightest, fluffiest little treats. This is the kind of recipe that fits right into a busy Midwestern kitchen—no fuss, no fancy tools, and you can keep the slow cooker plugged in on the counter while you potter in the garden or set the table. When you lift that lid and see all those warm, powdered-sugar-dusted packets waiting to be opened, it feels a little like unwrapping presents, and folks will start asking when you’re making them again before they’ve even finished the first one.

Serve these warm, straight from the slow cooker, with the foil pouches still wrapped so everyone can open their own little bundle at the table. They’re lovely alongside a simple fruit salad—think sliced strawberries and oranges—or a bowl of mixed berries so guests can spoon some right over the cake. A small pitcher of warm chocolate or caramel sauce on the side is nice for drizzling, and a dollop of whipped cream never hurts. For brunch, pair them with coffee, hot tea, or a light punch; for an evening dessert, they go beautifully with decaf and a scoop of vanilla ice cream on the side.

Servings: 8–10

1 (16-ounce) box angel food cake mix (the just-add-water kind)

Prepare your slow cooker by making sure the crock is clean and dry. Tear off 8 to 10 sheets of aluminum foil, each about 10 to 12 inches long. Lightly crumple and then smooth them back out so they’re flexible and easy to fold later.

In a large mixing bowl, combine the angel food cake mix and cold water. Beat with a hand mixer on low for 30 seconds to moisten, then on medium for about 1 minute, or until the batter is thick, fluffy, and well combined. Let the batter rest for 1 to 2 minutes so it can settle.

Spoon 1 to 2 tablespoons of cherry pie filling into the center of each foil sheet, keeping it in a small mound so it doesn’t spread too close to the edges. You want enough fruit for a little surprise in each pouch, but not so much that it leaks out.

Stir the powdered sugar into the angel food cake batter until just blended. This gives the cakes a slightly sweeter, tender crumb without adding extra ingredients later.

Carefully spoon about 1/3 to 1/2 cup of the batter over the fruit in each foil sheet, covering the pie filling completely. The batter will puff as it cooks, so leave a little space around the edges and don’t overfill.

Bring the long sides of each foil piece up over the batter and fold them together tightly to seal, then roll or crimp the short ends to make a snug little packet. Make sure there are no big gaps; you want the steam to stay inside so the cakes bake up light and fluffy.

Arrange the foil packets in a single, slightly overlapping layer in the bottom of the slow cooker. If your slow cooker is deep and you need to stack a few on top, place them gently and stagger them so heat can circulate. Do not add water to the crock.

Cover the slow cooker with its lid and cook on HIGH for 1 1/2 to 2 hours, or until the cakes feel set and springy when you gently press the tops through the foil. Cooking time can vary a bit by slow cooker, so start checking around the 1 1/2-hour mark.

When done, turn off the slow cooker and let the packets sit, covered, for 5 to 10 minutes. This short rest helps the cakes finish steaming and makes them easier to handle.

Using tongs or a spatula, carefully lift the foil packets out of the slow cooker and place them directly back into the empty, warm crock if you’d like to serve from there, or onto a platter. Open the top seam of each packet just enough to expose the cake surface while leaving most of the foil wrapped around the sides and bottom.

Lightly sift additional powdered sugar over the tops of the warm cakes right in their foil pouches. Close the lid of the slow cooker again for a couple of minutes if you’d like the sugar to melt just slightly into the tops, or serve immediately so the sugar stays visible and pretty.

To serve, keep the cakes nestled in their foil inside the slow cooker on the WARM setting. Guests can lift out a packet, peel back the foil, and enjoy their own little fluffy, fruit-filled cake straight from the wrap.

You can change the character of these little cakes just by swapping the fruit filling. Blueberry, strawberry, raspberry, or apple pie filling all work nicely; in the fall, try apple or cherry with a pinch of cinnamon sprinkled over the fruit before adding the batter. For a citrus twist, spoon a teaspoon of lemon curd over the fruit or use lemon pie filling and finish the warm cakes with a light squeeze of fresh lemon juice before dusting with powdered sugar. If your slow cooker runs hot, check early so the cakes don’t overcook and dry out; if it runs cooler, give them an extra 15 to 20 minutes. To make smaller bites for a big crowd, use less batter and fruit per packet and shorten the cooking time slightly, checking early. You can also line the bottom of the slow cooker with a layer of crumpled foil to lift the packets slightly if you’re worried about hot spots. Leftover cakes (if you’re lucky enough to have any) can be cooled in their foil, then stored in an airtight container in the refrigerator and gently rewarmed in the slow cooker or oven the next day.