Toss a jar of something fruity in the crock with 3 other things and watch everyone come back for seconds.

This 4-ingredient slow cooker vintage black currant pudding cake is the kind of dessert you make when you want something cozy and old-fashioned without fussing over creaming butter or watching the oven. It leans on a jar of glossy black currant preserves—the kind of fruit spread that used to anchor pantry shelves in Midwestern kitchens—then builds a simple batter right on top. As it cooks low and slow, the preserves bubble up around the edges and form a jammy, pudding-like layer under a tender cake. You literally toss a jar of something fruity in the crock with three other things, turn it on, and it quietly transforms into a dessert that feels like it came from a church cookbook circa 1965.

Serve this warm, straight from the slow cooker, spooned into shallow bowls so you catch both the soft cake and the deep purple-black currant pudding underneath. A scoop of vanilla ice cream or a dollop of lightly sweetened whipped cream is ideal; the dairy softens the tartness of the currants and makes the whole thing feel like a proper Sunday supper dessert. Strong coffee, black tea, or a dessert wine like port all pair well with the intense fruit flavor. If you’re serving a crowd, keep the crock on warm and set out bowls, spoons, and toppings so people can help themselves and, inevitably, come back for seconds.

Servings: 6

1 jar (about 12–14 ounces) black currant preserves

Lightly grease the insert of a small to medium slow cooker (about 3 to 4 quarts) with butter or nonstick spray. This helps the pudding cake release easily and makes cleanup simpler.

Spoon the entire jar of black currant preserves into the bottom of the slow cooker. Spread it into an even layer so the glossy, deep purple-red fruit covers the base. This will become the pudding-like layer under the cake.

In a medium mixing bowl, whisk together the self-rising flour and granulated sugar until no streaks remain. This keeps the batter from clumping when you add the liquid.

Pour the milk into the flour-sugar mixture and whisk just until you have a smooth, pourable batter. Avoid overmixing; once the dry spots disappear, you can stop. A few tiny bubbles are fine.

Carefully pour the batter over the black currant preserves in the slow cooker. Do not stir. You want a distinct fruit layer on the bottom that will bubble up around the edges as it cooks, creating that vintage pudding-cake effect.

Cover the slow cooker with its lid. Cook on HIGH for 2 to 2 1/2 hours, or on LOW for 3 1/2 to 4 hours, until the top of the cake is set and springs back lightly when touched in the center. The edges may look a bit more done and the preserves will be bubbling around the sides.

Once done, turn the slow cooker to WARM and let the pudding cake rest for 10 to 15 minutes. This allows the hot preserves to thicken slightly and makes it easier to spoon out neat portions while still serving it warm.

To serve, spoon down through the cake layer into the jammy black currant base, making sure each serving has both cake and sauce. Serve as-is, or top with ice cream or whipped cream. Store any leftovers, cooled completely, covered in the refrigerator for up to 3 days and reheat gently in the microwave or on LOW in the slow cooker.

If you don’t have self-rising flour, you can make a quick substitute: for each 1 cup of all-purpose flour, whisk in 1 1/2 teaspoons baking powder and 1/4 teaspoon fine salt, then proceed with the recipe as written. The black currant preserves can be swapped for another thick, fruity preserve or jam—blackberry, sour cherry, or raspberry work especially well and keep the vintage pudding-cake feel. For a slightly less sweet dessert, reduce the sugar to 3/4 cup; the preserves will still provide plenty of sweetness and body. To add a gentle spice note, whisk 1/2 teaspoon ground cinnamon or cardamom into the flour and sugar. For a richer texture, replace 1/4 cup of the milk with heavy cream or stir 1 teaspoon of vanilla extract into the batter. Food safety tips: Always cook this pudding cake with the slow cooker lid on so it reaches and maintains a safe temperature throughout. Because this dessert is very moist and contains dairy, cool leftovers promptly—within 2 hours of serving—and refrigerate in a shallow, covered container. Reheat single portions until steaming hot before eating, and discard if the dessert has been left at room temperature for more than 2 hours. Avoid using homemade preserves that have not been properly canned or stored, as improperly processed jars can pose a food safety risk.