My grandfather showed me this 3 ingredient dessert and it instantly takes you back in time.

Lightly grease the insert of a 5- to 6-quart slow cooker with nonstick spray or a thin layer of butter to prevent sticking.

In a large mixing bowl, add the dry yellow cake mix. Pour in 1 1/2 cups of the root beer (reserve the remaining 1/4 cup for later). Gently stir with a spatula or whisk just until the batter is mostly smooth and no big pockets of dry mix remain. The carbonation will make it a bit foamy—this is what helps keep the cake light.

Pour the root beer cake batter into the prepared slow cooker insert, spreading it into an even layer with a spatula so it cooks uniformly.

Cover the slow cooker with its lid. Cook on HIGH for 2 to 2 1/2 hours, or on LOW for 3 1/2 to 4 hours, until the cake is puffed, the edges pull slightly away from the sides, and a toothpick inserted into the center comes out mostly clean with a few moist crumbs but no wet batter.

About 10 minutes before the cake is done, place the slightly softened vanilla ice cream in a medium bowl. Pour in the remaining 1/4 cup root beer and stir until you have a thick, pourable mixture. It should be smooth and creamy, like a loose milkshake.

When the cake is finished, turn off the slow cooker. While the cake is still hot, use the handle of a wooden spoon or a fork to gently poke shallow holes all over the surface. This helps the ice cream mixture seep into the cake.

Slowly pour the root beer–vanilla ice cream mixture over the warm cake, letting it pool and swirl across the top and sink into the holes. The heat from the cake will melt the ice cream into a glossy, white glaze with creamy streaks that contrast with the soda-infused sponge.

Place the lid back on the slow cooker (with the heat still off) and let the cake sit for 10 to 15 minutes. This resting time allows the glaze to set slightly while keeping everything warm and moist.

Scoop the cake straight from the slow cooker into bowls, making sure to get both the fluffy brown cake and plenty of the melty vanilla glaze in each serving. Serve warm and enjoy immediately for that true root beer float experience.

Variations & Tips