Although apple pie is a delicious July 4th dessert that most of us grew up enjoying as part of our holiday celebrations, this year, I decided to try something new with America’s favorite fruit: fritters.
By grating one of the apples, it incorporates the fruit’s flavor into the batter. The apple dices provide the expected bites of fruit. Roasting the pecans before using them gives the nuts a rich, heartier flavor, and helps keep them from getting soft in the batter.
In addition to being a delicious apple treat, fritters are easy to make and take little time to prepare. They’re best served warm!
Ingredients
1 ½ cups all-purpose flour
1/3 cup sugar
2 tsp. baking powder
½ tsp. salt
2 tsp. cinnamon
½ cup milk
2 eggs, lightly beaten
2 large sweet, crisp apples (such as gala) cored and peeled – one diced, one grated
½ cup chopped roasted pecans
Vegetable or canola oil for frying
Glaze
2 cups powdered sugar
1/3 cup milk
½ Tsp. vanilla extract
Prepare glaze before frying the pastry
Directions
In medium bowl, sift together flour, sugar, baking powder, salt and cinnamon. Create a well in the center of the flour mixture and add the milk and eggs. Stir together until combined.
Fold in apples and pecans, careful not to overmix.
Pour 1½ inches oil in skillet and heat on medium high. I use a deep fryer with oil heated to 375 degrees F.
Working in batches, carefully slide ¼ cup of batter at a time in the oil, immediately spreading it gently. Fry until golden brown, about 2 inches per side. Using tongs, place fritters on a cooling rack on top a baking sheet to allow them to drain.
While still hot, using tongs, dip bottom of fritter in glaze and return to rack. Using a pastry brush, apply glaze to the tops and sides.