Poached pears are easy, delicious, very seasonal, and they make your house smell like heaven. I don’t know if Yankee Candle makes a poached pear candle but they really should. 

If you are a Michigander, I have a shortcut for you: Poach your pears with Leelanau Cellars Witches Brew, which is a spiced red wine. If you have a Costco membership, you can buy an oversized bottle for $9.99, although if you buy the oversized bottle, you will want to use 3 cups for this recipe, not the full bottle. Out of state with no access to Witches Brew? No problem. Just add either mulling spices or two chai tea bags to the red wine of your choice.

I strongly recommend making your poached pears sundae bar style. Everyone likes to customize their own dessert, and poached pears are quite versatile.  My sundae bar suggestions can be found directly below the recipe.

• 4 to 6 pears, peeled
• 1 bottle of Witches Brew (or other red wine with either mulling spices or 2 chai tea bags)
• 1/3 cup maple syrup
• 1 teaspoon vanilla

1. Combine the wine, maple syrup and vanilla in a medium sized pot and bring to a boil.
2. Reduce heat to medium and add pears.
3. Simmer for 20 to 25 minutes.
4. Remove pears and set aside.
5. Turn the heat up on the remaining wine sauce.
6. Reduce the wine sauce to half.
7. Serve pears with wine sauce and your preferred toppings.

Sundae Bar Toppings:

• Ice cream. Suggested flavors include vanilla, caramel, and cheesecake
• Caramel sauce
• Chocolate sauce
• Nuts 
• Chocolate chips
• Crushed toffee

Pictured is my poached pear with sea caramel Halo Top, chocolate chips, and crushed praline pecans.