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.
Foil-wrapped angel food cake packets on a church brunch table
Foil-wrapped angel food cake packets on a church brunch table
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.
Warm angel food cake packet opened with berries on the side
Warm angel food cake packet opened with berries on the side
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.
Slow Cooker 4-Ingredient Foil-Wrapped Angel Food Cakes
Servings: 8–10
Ingredients
1 (16-ounce) box angel food cake mix (the just-add-water kind)
1 1/4 cups cold water
1 (21-ounce) can cherry pie filling (or your favorite fruit pie filling)
1/4 cup powdered sugar, plus more as needed for dusting
Directions
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.
Slow cooker and prepared foil sheets on a kitchen counter
Slow cooker and prepared foil sheets on a kitchen counter
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.
Cherry pie filling spooned onto foil sheets
Cherry pie filling spooned onto foil sheets
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.
Angel food batter covering cherry filling in foil packets
Angel food batter covering cherry filling in foil packets
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.
