My mom serves these at every spring dinner party and guests always think she hired a caterer. So elegant for only 3 ingredients

These slow cooker 3-ingredient sangria poached pears are the kind of dessert that makes people think you went all out, when really you just let the crockpot do the work. My mom started making a version of these for her spring dinner parties years ago, using whatever red wine was open and a bottle of fruity sangria, and guests always assumed a caterer had made them. The pears turn a deep ruby color and soak up all that warm, spiced, citrusy flavor from the sangria, and you’re left with tender fruit and a glossy burgundy syrup that looks downright fancy spooned into little bowls. This is a lovely make-ahead dessert for busy families who still want something special on the table without fussing over the stove.

Serve the sangria poached pears warm or at room temperature in shallow dessert bowls, spooning plenty of the deep burgundy syrup over the top. They’re wonderful on their own, but a dollop of whipped cream, a scoop of vanilla ice cream, or a spoonful of thick Greek yogurt makes them feel extra special. For a spring dinner party, I like to pair them with simple butter cookies or shortbread for a little crunch. Coffee, hot tea, or a small glass of the same sangria you used in the recipe all work nicely alongside. If you’re serving kids, give them their pears with vanilla yogurt and a sprinkle of granola so they feel like they’re getting a fancy parfait too.

Servings: 6

6 firm but ripe pears (such as Bosc or Anjou), peeled, halved, and cored

Prepare the pears: Peel the pears with a vegetable peeler. Cut each pear in half from stem to tip, then use a small spoon or melon baller to scoop out the core and seeds. Leave the stems on if you like the look, or trim them off for easier serving.

Layer the pears in the slow cooker: Place the pear halves cut side up in the bottom of a 4- to 6-quart slow cooker. It’s fine if they overlap a bit; just arrange them in as even a layer as you can so they all touch the liquid.

Add sangria and sugar: Pour the bottle of red sangria over the pears. Sprinkle the granulated sugar evenly over the top. The pears should be mostly submerged; if a few tops peek out, that’s okay, they’ll soften and sink as they cook.

Start the slow cooker: Cover the slow cooker with the lid. Cook on LOW for 3 1/2 to 4 hours, or until the pears are very tender when pierced with the tip of a knife but still hold their shape. Try not to lift the lid too often, as that slows down the cooking.

Check for doneness: Around the 3-hour mark, gently poke one of the thicker pear halves with a knife or skewer. If it slides in easily, the pears are done. If they still feel firm in the center, continue cooking in 20- to 30-minute increments until they’re soft and silky.

Reduce the syrup (optional but recommended): When the pears are tender, use a slotted spoon to carefully transfer them to a serving dish or storage container. Turn the slow cooker to HIGH and cook the remaining liquid uncovered for 20 to 30 minutes, or until it thickens slightly into a glossy syrup. You can also pour the liquid into a small saucepan and simmer on the stovetop over medium heat for 10 to 15 minutes to speed things up.

Cool slightly and serve: Once the syrup has thickened a bit, pour it back over the pears. Let them cool for at least 15 to 20 minutes so the flavors settle and the fruit firms up slightly. Serve warm or at room temperature, spooning plenty of that deep burgundy sangria syrup over each pear half.

Make ahead and store: These pears can be made up to 2 days ahead. Cool completely, then cover and refrigerate in their syrup. Reheat gently in the microwave or on LOW in the slow cooker, or serve chilled straight from the fridge for an easy, elegant dessert.

For a less boozy dessert, you can use an alcohol-removed bottled sangria or mix half sangria and half 100% grape or pomegranate juice. If you’d like a little spice, add a cinnamon stick and 2 to 3 whole cloves to the slow cooker at the beginning (this technically adds ingredients, so I treat them as optional extras, not part of the base 3). For kids or non-drinkers, you can poach a few pear halves in plain grape juice or apple juice in a separate small slow cooker or saucepan and serve them alongside the sangria version so everyone feels included. For picky eaters, dice the cooked pears and serve them over vanilla yogurt, ice cream, or pancakes so they feel more like a topping than a whole fruit dessert. Use firm pears such as Bosc or Anjou so they hold their shape; very soft or overripe pears can fall apart during the long cooking time. Food safety tips: Because this recipe uses alcohol, be clear with guests if it has or hasn’t been cooked long enough to significantly reduce the alcohol content—there will still be some alcohol left, especially in the syrup. Always wash and dry the pears before peeling to remove dirt and bacteria from the skin. Let hot syrup cool slightly before handling to avoid burns, and use a slotted spoon or tongs to move the pears so you don’t splash hot liquid. Store leftovers in the refrigerator in a covered container and use within 3 to 4 days.