Pour can of gelatinous cherry pie filling onto raw oxidized apple chunks, together with 4 other ingredients, into slow cooker for a dessert that's the first thing I suggest

This slow cooker 6-ingredient Amish-style fruit cobbler is one of those cozy, no-fuss desserts I reach for when the day’s been long but I still want something warm and homemade on the table. It starts exactly the way the headline promises: you scatter raw, already-browning (oxidized) apple chunks into the slow cooker and pour a can of thick, gelatinous cherry pie filling right over the top. A simple pantry batter and a pat of butter do the rest while it bubbles away into something that tastes like it came from a church supper table. It’s practical, uses what you probably have on hand, and fills the house with that old-fashioned, small-town bakery smell.

Serve this cobbler warm straight from the slow cooker, spooned into bowls. It’s lovely on its own, but a scoop of vanilla ice cream, a dollop of whipped cream, or even a splash of half-and-half over the top makes it feel extra special. For a simple weeknight dessert, pair it with hot coffee or tea for the adults and cold milk for the kids. If you’re taking it to a potluck, you can keep it on the warm setting and let people serve themselves, maybe setting out a little bowl of chopped nuts or extra cinnamon on the side for sprinkling.

Servings: 6-8

4 medium apples, cored and chopped into 1-inch chunks (leave skins on; about 4 cups, oxidized is fine)

Prepare the apples: Core and chop the apples into roughly 1-inch chunks, leaving the peels on. Let them sit out in a bowl while you gather the rest of your ingredients so they start to oxidize and turn a little brown—this is perfectly fine and will not hurt the dessert.

Layer the apples in the slow cooker: Lightly grease a 4- to 6-quart slow cooker with a bit of butter or nonstick spray if you like. Scatter the raw, oxidized apple chunks evenly over the bottom of the slow cooker crock.

Pour on the cherry pie filling: Open the can of gelatinous cherry pie filling. Holding the can over the slow cooker, pour the thick filling directly over the apples, spreading it gently with a spoon so most of the apples are coated. It’s fine if some apples peek through—this is the exact rustic, layered look we’re going for.

Mix the dry ingredients: In a medium bowl, stir together the flour, sugar, and ground cinnamon until well combined. This makes a simple Amish-style cobbler topping that will form a soft, cakey layer as it cooks.

Add the melted butter: Pour the melted butter into the flour mixture and stir just until everything is moistened and forms a thick, crumbly batter. It will be a bit lumpy and stiff, more like a soft dough than a pourable cake batter.

Top the fruit with the batter: Using a spoon or clean hands, drop small spoonfuls or pinches of the batter evenly over the cherry and apple mixture in the slow cooker. You don’t need to cover every bit of fruit; leaving small gaps lets the juices bubble up and gives you that cobbler look instead of a solid cake.

Slow cook the cobbler: Cover the slow cooker with its lid. Cook on HIGH for 2 to 2 1/2 hours or on LOW for 4 to 5 hours, until the topping is set in the center and lightly firm to the touch and the fruit is bubbling around the edges. If your slow cooker tends to collect a lot of condensation, you can lay a clean kitchen towel over the crock before putting the lid on to catch extra moisture (just be sure the towel edges are away from the heating element).

Rest and serve: Once done, turn off the slow cooker and let the cobbler sit, covered, for about 10 to 15 minutes so it can thicken slightly. Spoon warm cobbler into bowls and serve as is or with ice cream, whipped cream, or a drizzle of cream.

For picky eaters, you can peel the apples so the texture is softer and more uniform, or chop them smaller so they almost melt into the cherry filling. If someone in the family isn’t wild about cherries, swap the cherry pie filling for apple, peach, or blueberry pie filling and keep everything else the same; the method of pouring the can over the raw apple chunks still works and gives a nice mixed-fruit effect. For a slightly less sweet cobbler, reduce the sugar in the batter to 1/2 cup or use a tart baking apple like Granny Smith. To add a little crunch, stir 1/3 cup chopped walnuts or pecans into the batter before dropping it over the fruit. If you need a dairy-free version, use a plant-based butter stick in place of the regular butter. For a cozier spice profile, add a pinch of nutmeg or a little vanilla extract to the batter. Food safety and slow cooker tips: Letting the apples oxidize (turn brown) on the counter for a short time is safe and only affects color, not safety; just don’t leave cut apples at room temperature for more than about 2 hours before starting the recipe. Always start with clean hands, utensils, and a clean slow cooker insert. Make sure the cobbler reaches a good bubble around the edges and the topping is fully cooked through; if it still looks doughy in the middle, give it another 20 to 30 minutes. Once the cobbler is done, don’t leave it on the warm setting for more than 2 hours; after that, cool leftovers, transfer them to a covered container, and refrigerate. Leftovers can be reheated gently in the microwave or in the slow cooker on LOW until warmed through.