7 Fruit Desserts You Can Make In Your Slow Cooker

That winter workhorse of a countertop appliance isn't just for dinner.

You've probably spent all winter using your slow cooker to rustle up a roast or cook up casseroles, but don't pop it back into storage just yet!

You should be using it to make dessert, people. That's right: dessert.

Not only does your crockpot make it easy to turn out delicious sweet treats with minimal effort. The low-and-slow cooking method is perfect for transforming fruits into the kind of warm, gooey, cozy delights we all start to crave while the weather is still a little chilly.

Here are 7 satisfying recipes to try:

Photograph courtesy of Fit Foodie Finds

Pumpkin Spice Rice Pudding

Forget the fact that pumpkin might technically be a vegetable. If you’re bored of the usual pies and lattes, try stirring pumpkin puree into rice pudding along with a drizzle of maple syrup, like Fit Foodie Finds does. It’s cozy, comforting, and super easy: Since it comes together in your slow cooker, you don’t have to stand over the stove stirring for an hour.

Photograph courtesy of The Magical Slow Cooker

Slow Cooker Scalloped Apples

Other than the fact that they’re thinly sliced, these apples have nothing in common with scalloped potatoes. (Phew!) After layering the apple slices in the slow cooker, Sarah from The Magical Slow Cooker drizzles them with a mixture of melted butter, brown sugar and cinnamon. Then, the apples bake until they turn meltingly soft. They’re a perfect sweet-tart topping for ice cream, sponge cake or even waffles.

Photograph courtesy of Well Plated

Crock Pot Peach Cobbler

This is the perfect treat for a cool summer night! Use them in this classic crockpot peach cobbler from Well Plated. The juicy fruit filling and buttery topping taste just like peach pie. But instead of fussing with a messy crust, all you have to do is pour the topping ingredients over the fruit.

Photograph courtesy of Don't Waste the Crumbs

Crock Pot Poached Pears

These poached pears look pretty darn fancy. But they’re simple enough to make on any old weeknight, says Don’t Waste the Crumbs. Poaching the pears in apple juice with cinnamon sticks infuses them with extra autumnal flavour. As an added bonus, the juice thickens as the pears cook, leaving you with a thick, syrupy liquid to drizzle on top of your fruit. Serve them with a scoop of ice cream after dinner, and have the leftovers with a dollop of Greek yogurt for breakfast the next day.

Photograph courtesy of Domestic Superhero

Slow Cooker Cranberry Cheesecake

If you love topping cheesecake with strawberries or blueberries, you’ll love Domestic Superhero's version made with sweet-tart cranberry sauce. Cooking the cheesecake in the slow cooker helps it stay moist and dense (no weird dry texture or cracked surfaces here!). While it cooks, all you have to do is simmer the cranberry sauce on the stovetop.

Photograph courtesy of The Gunny Sack

Slow Cooker Apple Walnut Bread Pudding

Sure, you could bake the same old apple cake you make every fall. Or you could make The Gunny Sack's creamy, custardy apple walnut bread pudding in your crockpot. Slow cooking the apples turns them so soft and velvety that they practically melt into the caramel-soaked bread. The walnuts add even more richness—and a crunchy texture contrast.

Photograph courtesy of Whitney Bond

Pumpkin Cheesecake Swirled Crockpot Brownies

Who knew? Your slow cooker is the key to brownies that are moist and fudgy on the inside and just crispy enough on the outside. And these squares are extra gooey, thanks to the pumpkin cheesecake swirl. Just pour the brownie batter into the crockpot, top it with the pumpkin layer, and use a knife or spatula to create a marbled effect. If you want to take things to new levels of deliciousness, try topping the brownies with pumpkin cheesecake ice cream and chocolate syrup, says Whitney Bond.