Throw whole unpeeled raw pears in the crock and 4 other ingredients to get a sweet treat so delicious your friends will be begging for more.

This little slow cooker pear dessert is the kind of thing farm wives used to pull together when company showed up unannounced in the spring and there wasn’t time to fuss. You take whole, unpeeled raw pears, tuck them right into the crock, sprinkle on just four more pantry staples, and let the slow heat do the rest. The skins help the fruit hold its shape, and by the time the pears are tender, you’ve got a syrupy, spiced sauce that tastes like something your grandmother might have made after Sunday dinner. It’s simple, practical, and feels like a warm Midwestern hug in a bowl.

Serve these warm pears in shallow bowls, spooning plenty of the sweet spiced syrup over the top. They’re lovely just as they are, but a scoop of vanilla ice cream, a dollop of whipped cream, or a spoonful of plain yogurt turns them into a real company dessert. A butter cookie or shortbread on the side is a nice touch if you have it. For a lighter finish to a spring meal, pair the pears with hot coffee or tea and something savory and simple, like a roast chicken or ham supper beforehand, to let this gentle, fruity sweetness close out the evening.

Servings: 4

4 firm ripe pears, whole, unpeeled, stems left on if possible

Rinse the whole pears under cool running water, gently rubbing the skins to remove any dirt or residue. Pat them dry with a clean towel. Leave the stems on if they’re still attached; they make a pretty presentation and help the pears hold together.

Arrange the whole unpeeled pears snugly in a single layer in the bottom of your slow cooker, standing them upright if they’ll balance. The close fit helps them cook evenly and soak up more of the syrup.

In a small bowl, stir together the brown sugar and ground cinnamon, breaking up any sugar lumps with your fingers or a spoon.

Sprinkle the cinnamon–sugar mixture evenly over the pears in the slow cooker, letting some fall down around the sides and into the bottom so it will melt into a syrup.

Scatter the pieces of butter over and around the pears so they’ll melt down into the sugar as the crock heats.

Pour the apple juice (or water) into the slow cooker around the pears, avoiding pouring directly over the tops so you don’t wash off too much of the sugar and spice.

Cover the slow cooker with the lid and cook on LOW for 3 1/2 to 4 1/2 hours, or on HIGH for about 2 to 2 1/2 hours, until the pears are very tender when pierced with a knife but still holding their shape. Cooking time can vary a bit depending on the size and firmness of your pears and the exact heat of your slow cooker.

Once the pears are tender, carefully tilt the lid away from you to let the steam escape. Use a large spoon to baste the pears with the syrupy juices from the bottom of the crock. If the sauce seems thin, you can leave the lid off and let it cook on HIGH for another 15 to 20 minutes to reduce slightly, basting once or twice.

Serve the pears warm, one per person, spooning plenty of the spiced syrup from the bottom of the slow cooker over each serving. If you like, slice the pears gently right in the bowl before eating, removing the core as you go, or let each person cut into their own at the table.

You can dress this simple dessert up or down depending on what you have on hand. For a deeper, more caramel-like flavor, swap part or all of the brown sugar for maple syrup or honey, and reduce the apple juice slightly so the sauce doesn’t get too thin. If your family enjoys warm spices, add a pinch of ground nutmeg or ginger along with the cinnamon, or tuck a whole cinnamon stick down between the pears for a gentle, old-fashioned spice. A splash of vanilla extract stirred into the syrup at the end of cooking gives a bakery-style aroma. For a lighter version, cut the brown sugar back to 1/4 cup and skip half of the butter; the pears will still be sweet, just a bit more delicate. You can also use pear juice or white grape juice instead of apple juice, or plain water if that’s what you have—just know the flavor will be a bit milder. If your pears are very large, you may only fit three comfortably in the crock; that’s fine, but check them a little earlier as they may cook faster around the edges. Food safety tips: Always wash the pears well since you’re leaving the skins on, and trim off any bruised or damaged spots before cooking. Use a clean knife and cutting board if you decide to halve or slice leftover cooked pears later. Keep the slow cooker covered while cooking so it maintains a safe temperature, and don’t cook on the WARM setting from the start. Refrigerate leftovers within two hours in a shallow container, and reheat them gently on the stove or in the microwave until steaming before serving again.