April Sweetness: Only 4 ingredients. The perfect treat to throw together in five minutes before company arrives!

You can also use a spice cake mix instead of yellow cake mix for a deeper, more complex spice note—still only four ingredients as long as you don’t add anything else. For a firmer, less gelatinous top, crack the lid open with a wooden spoon handle during the last 20 to 30 minutes of cooking to let a bit of steam escape.

If your slow cooker runs hot, start checking at the earlier end of the time range to avoid overcooking the edges; a slightly underdone center will stay custardy and glossy, which suits this style of pudding-like cake very well.