The Bitten Word’s Slow-Baked Apples

   (Adapted from Bon Appétit)
 
1/3 cup sugar
1/8 teaspoon ground ginger
Pinch of ground coriander
4 medium Honeycrisp or Jonagold apples (about 1 1/4 pounds total)
1/4 cup (1/2 stick) unsalted butter, melted
1 tablespoon finely grated orange peel
 
     Preheat oven to 300°F. Butter a 9×13 glass dish.  Mix sugar, ginger and coriander in a small bowl. Peel and core apples, and cut into thin slices. Layer apple slices in individual ramekins or one glass dish, depending on how you would like to serve them.
     Pour melted butter over apples, then sprinkle sugar mixture and orange peel over the top. Mix to coat the apple slices evenly with the orange peel and spices.
     Cover with aluminum foil, loosely enough to allow steam to escape. Bake until apples are soft, about 2 hours.
     Top with whipped cream if desired.