Squeezing canned dulce de leche into frozen cinnamon roll dough, paired with 4 extra ingredients, into slow cooker for a treat that's my default when I don't know what to make

This slow cooker churro lava pudding is my default dessert when I don’t know what to make but still want something cozy and a little dramatic. It leans on two supermarket shortcuts—frozen cinnamon roll dough and canned dulce de leche—and turns them into a warm, gooey, cinnamon-sugar “pudding” with molten caramel pockets. The texture lands somewhere between a bread pudding and a soft pull-apart roll, with a churro-inspired cinnamon-sugar finish. It’s not a traditional churro by any stretch, but it borrows the same flavor profile and the idea of crisp edges and soft, custardy centers, translated into an almost hands-off slow cooker dessert.

Serve this churro lava pudding warm, straight from the slow cooker, spooned into small bowls so everyone gets both the caramel pools and the toasty, cinnamon-sugar top. A scoop of vanilla ice cream or a dollop of lightly sweetened whipped cream is perfect against the heat and spice. Strong coffee, espresso, or a cinnamon-spiked hot chocolate balances the sweetness nicely. If you’re serving a bigger spread, pair it with something fresh and bright—orange segments or a simple citrus salad—to cut through the richness.

Servings: 6-8

1 (16–18 oz) tube frozen cinnamon roll dough, unbaked (keep pieces separate, with icing packet reserved or discarded)

Prepare the slow cooker: Lightly grease the bottom and about 1 inch up the sides of a 4- to 6-quart slow cooker insert with nonstick cooking spray or soft butter. This helps prevent sticking and gives the edges a slightly toasty finish.

Partially thaw the cinnamon roll dough: If your cinnamon roll dough is rock solid, let it sit at room temperature for 10–15 minutes just until you can separate the pieces without cracking. You want them still quite cold and firm so they hold their shape while you fill them.

Mix the churro sugar: In a small bowl, stir together 1/4 cup of the granulated sugar and 1 1/2 teaspoons of the ground cinnamon. Set aside; this will be your churro-style topping.

Make the custard base: In a medium bowl or large measuring cup, whisk together the eggs, milk (or half-and-half), remaining 2 tablespoons granulated sugar, and remaining 1/2 teaspoon ground cinnamon until smooth and well combined. This mixture will soak into the rolls and create a soft pudding texture.

Arrange the dough in the slow cooker: Place the frozen cinnamon roll pieces in a single, fairly snug layer in the bottom of the prepared slow cooker. It’s fine if they touch and there are small gaps; they will expand and puff as they cook.

Squeeze in the dulce de leche: Open the can of dulce de leche and stir it briefly to loosen. Using a small spoon or a piping bag (or a clean zip-top bag with a corner snipped off), squeeze or spoon generous lines and dollops of dulce de leche directly into and over the frozen cinnamon roll dough in the slow cooker. Aim to get some caramel in the crevices between pieces and some directly on top so you end up with pockets of molten caramel throughout.

Pour on the custard: Slowly pour the egg-and-milk mixture evenly over the cinnamon rolls and dulce de leche, making sure every piece gets some moisture. Gently press down with the back of a spoon to help the custard seep into the gaps without completely submerging the tops.

Top with churro sugar: Sprinkle the cinnamon-sugar mixture evenly over the entire surface. This will create a churro-inspired, slightly crisp, fragrant top as it cooks.

Cook on low until set and lava-like: Cover the slow cooker with its lid and cook on LOW for 2 1/2 to 3 1/2 hours, or until the edges are puffed and set, the center is just barely jiggly, and you can see some bubbling caramel around the sides. Every slow cooker runs a little differently, so start checking around the 2 1/2-hour mark. The goal is a soft, spoonable pudding with gooey pockets, not a dry cake.

Rest briefly, then serve: Turn off the heat and let the pudding stand, covered, for 10–15 minutes to firm up slightly while still staying molten in the center. Spoon the warm churro lava pudding into bowls, making sure to scoop from the bottom to capture the caramel lava. Serve as is or with ice cream or whipped cream.

For a richer dessert, swap the whole milk for half-and-half or a mix of half-and-half and heavy cream; this will give you a more custard-like pudding. If you like extra spice, add a pinch of nutmeg or cardamom to the custard, or increase the cinnamon slightly. A splash of vanilla extract or a teaspoon of orange zest in the custard adds a nice aromatic note. You can also scatter a small handful of mini chocolate chips over the dough before adding the dulce de leche for a chocolate-caramel twist. For those who prefer less sweetness, use only 2/3 of the can of dulce de leche and reserve the rest for drizzling on individual portions. If you can’t find frozen cinnamon roll dough, refrigerated canned cinnamon rolls can work; reduce the cook time slightly and watch closely, as they tend to cook faster. Food safety tips: Keep the frozen dough chilled until you’re ready to assemble so it doesn’t sit in the temperature danger zone (40°F–140°F) for long. Use pasteurized eggs and cook the pudding until the custard reaches at least 160°F in the center if you are concerned about undercooked eggs. Avoid leaving the finished dessert at room temperature for more than 2 hours; refrigerate leftovers in a shallow container, and reheat portions gently in the microwave until just warm.