aunt barb's baked beans - the REAL thing!

2 pounds dried Great Northern Beans
2 pounds brown sugar
1-1 ½ pounds thick-sliced bacon
¾ cup ketchup
½ teaspoon dry mustard
1 Tablespoon salt
3 Tablespoons Gold Label molasses (light in color)
1 teaspoon pepper
1 teaspoon dried oregano

1. Cook beans according to directions on the bag (in a LARGE saucepan with 2” water above the beans, soak overnight; drain, then add water and simmer 1 ½ hours till tender).
2. While cooking beans, cut bacon in 1-2” pieces. Fry slowly to remove part of fat (cook only till partially done). Drain grease.
3. Drain beans, reserving all liquid.*
4. Add 3 cups of the reserved bean liquid* to the beans, and add all remaining ingredients (including bacon). It will be very sloppy.
5. Bake in Dutch oven in oven at 275ºF or in a crock pot on low 6-7 hours. Add more liquid as it cooks, if necessary. Don’t stir too often or will make beans mushy.

~Laura L.
● Serves: 12+ ● Total Time: 8 – 9 hrs (PLUS overnight soaking) ● Difficulty: Easy

*Sometimes when I make this I end up using all the reserved liquid, and end up having to just add water from the tap. Super yummy dish for potlucks or for barbeques.