Let’s make this incredibly easy and comforting Slow-Cooker Strawberry Pudding Cake! It mostly cooks itself after a quick assembly. First, prepare your slow cooker.

Thoroughly grease the insert of your 4- or 5-quart slow cooker with cooking spray or butter/shortening.

In a large bowl, pour in the 3 cups of cold milk. Add the dry instant pudding mix (cheesecake or vanilla flavor). Whisk vigorously for about 2 minutes, until the mixture is smooth and slightly thickened. Pour this pudding mixture evenly into the bottom of the greased slow cooker insert.

Now, prepare the cake batter. In a separate large bowl, prepare the strawberry cake mix batter according to its package directions, using the specified amounts of water (1 cup), room temperature eggs (3), and canola oil (1/3 cup) listed in this recipe’s ingredients, or the amounts listed on your cake mix box. Mix just until combined as directed by the cake mix instructions.

Carefully and gently pour the prepared strawberry cake batter evenly over the pudding layer in the slow cooker. Do not stir the batter into the pudding layer! Just let it sit on top.

Place the lid securely on the slow cooker. Cook on the LOW heat setting for approximately 4 hours. Start checking around the 3.5-hour mark. The cake is done when the edges appear set and lightly golden brown, and a wooden toothpick inserted into the cake portion (not the pudding layer) near the center comes out clean. The center might still look quite moist, which is expected.

Once cooked, carefully remove the slow cooker insert from the heating base (it will be hot!). Sprinkle the 2 cups of quartered toasted coconut marshmallows evenly over the top of the hot cake.

Let the cake stand, uncovered, for 10 minutes. This allows the marshmallows to soften and melt slightly into a gooey topping.

To serve, scoop warm portions of the pudding cake into individual bowls, making sure to get some of the cakey top layer and the soft pudding layer from underneath. If desired, drizzle generously with strawberry ice cream topping and garnish with sliced fresh strawberries. Enjoy this warm, comforting dessert!