Barefoot Contessa's Oven Baked Homemade Applesauce

Boy, this recipe takes all the work out of making applesauce. I saw Ina Garten make this on one of her shows and knew I definitely would have to try it. Use whatever apple combinations you want.

• Ready In: 16 mins
• Serves: 4-6
• Yields: 2 1/2 quarts

Ingredients

• 2  large  navel oranges, juice and zest of
• 1  lemon, juice and zest of
• 3  lbs granny smith apples (about 6-8 apples)
• 3  lbs sweet red apples (about 6-8 apples)
• 1⁄2 cup light brown sugar, packed
• 4  tablespoons unsalted butter
• 2  teaspoons ground cinnamon
• 1⁄2 teaspoon ground allspice

Directions

1. Preheat oven to 400 degrees.
2. Place the zest and juice of the oranges and lemon in a large bowl. Peel, quarter and core the apples (reserving the peel of 2 of the red apples) and toss them in the juice.
3. Pour the apples, reserved apple peel and juice into a nonreactive Dutch oven or enameled iron pot.
4. Add the brown sugar, butter, cinnamon and allspice and cover the pot. Bake for 1 hour or until all the apples are soft.
5. Remove and discard the red apple peel. Mix with a whisk until smooth and serve warm or at room temperature.