Name: Chunky Baked Applesauce
Prep time: 15 min
Cook time: 70 min
Ingredients: 4 pounds apples, such as McIntosh, Honeycrisp, Fuji, or a mix; 1 orange; ½ lemon; ⅓ cup (67 grams) light brown sugar; 1 teaspoon cinnamon; pinch of salt

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Chunky Baked Applesauce

Prep Time 15

Cook Time 1 10

Adapted from Ina Garten

Peeling and coring the apples takes a little effort up front, then it's hands-off as the apples bake in the oven, becoming meltingly soft and sweet, slightly spiced from the citrus and cinnamon. If you prefer a smoother applesauce, simply take a potato masher to the mix after they are finished cooking. My favorite way to enjoy is hot from the oven with a scoop of vanilla ice cream oozing into all the nooks and crannies, but it can of course be enjoyed as a healthy snack as well.

4.50 from 6 votes

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Servings

Ingredients

4 pounds apples, such as McIntosh, Honeycrisp, Fuji, or a mix
1 orange
½ lemon
⅓ cup (67 grams) light brown sugar
1 teaspoon cinnamon
pinch of salt

Instructions

Preheat your oven to 350 F.
Peel and core the apples, and cut them into chunks. Place the apples in an oven proof pot or baking dish. Zest the orange and the lemon using a fine grater or microplane and add to the apples, then squeeze the juice from both into the apples, being careful not to allow any seeds in. Add the remaining ingredients and stir well to combine.
Cover the dish tightly with aluminum foil and bake for 50 minutes. Check the apples and stir well. If they are not soft and falling apart easily as you stir, return to the oven, covered, and bake up to another 20-30 minutes.
Let the apples cool for 5-10 minutes, then my advice is to scoop them into bowls and top with vanilla ice cream, caramel sauce and toasted walnuts. Otherwise, let them cool and store in a container in the refrigerator to enjoy as a healthy snack.