APPLE FRITTERS...

APPLE FRITTERS
adapted from :    The Pioneer Woman; (so delicious)..




Fritters :

2  cups  all-purpose flour
1/2  cup + extra 3 tbsp  sugar
2 1/4  tsp  baking powder
1 1/4  tsp  salt
2  tsp  ground cinnamon
2  whole large  eggs
3/4  cups  whole milk
2  tsp  vanilla extract
2  tbsp  melted butter
2  whole Granny Smith Apples  -  peeled and diced
Powdered sugar  (optional, for dusting)


Glaze :  (optional)

1 1/2  cup  powdered sugar
1/4  tsp  salt
1/4  tsp  vanilla extract
1/4  cup  milk


Directions :

1.  In a mixing bowl, combine flour, sugar, baking powder, cinnamon and salt.

2.  In a separate bowl, beat the eggs with a fork, then add milk, melted butter and vanilla extract.

3.  Gently fold dry and wet ingredients together until just combined (do not overmix).  Fold in apples.  Add enough apples to make a very chunky batter.  You want the apples to shine though!!

4.  Heat a couple of inches of canola oil over medium to medium-low heat.  When it gets hot, drop a little drop of batter into the oil.  If it sizzles immediately and rises to the top, the oil is ready; if it burns quickly, turn down the heat.

5.  Drop teaspoons of batter into the hot oil, six or eight at a time.  Sometimes they'll flip over by themselves; sometimes you have to flip them.  Just watch them and make sure they don't get too brown, but cook them long enough to make sure the batter's cooked through, about 2 to 2 1/2 minutes total.

6.  Remove and drain on a paper towel.  Dust very generously with powdered sugar, or dip fritters in a light doughnut glaze (mix all glaze ingredients together, then dunk warm fritters).  Serve warm.


NOTE :   May be heated up the next day in a 350'F oven for 8 minutes...