Step 1

Prepare the fruit: Wash and dry berries, chop stone fruit or rhubarb into 1/2-inch pieces, and pit and halve cherries.

Step 2

Combine the ingredients: Place all the ingredients into a 3-quart or larger slow cooker and stir to combine. Cover the slow cooker.

Step 3

Cook the sauce: Depending on the fruit, the cooking time will vary. On the high setting, berries will take 2 to 3 hours, while stone fruit, rhubarb, and cherries will take 3 to 4 hours. The fruit should be softened and sauce-like when finished.

Step 4

Finish the sauce: Remove the vanilla bean. Serve the warm sauce over pancakes or ice cream.