These homemade bakery style apple fritters are the perfect treat that you would typically find in a coffee or doughnut shop, but they are made just as great right in your own home!  Chunks of apple that are cooked into a soft yet crispy filling are folded into a smooth yeasty dough, and then fried to perfection.  Once the fritters cool slightly, they are drenched in a simple, yet delicious, vanilla bean glaze.

Inspired by YouTube guru, Brian Lagerstrom, these apple fritters do not disappoint!!

I would dare go on the record as saying that these are quite possibly the BEST apple fritter (doughnut) that I have ever eaten!!

Ingredients:

• 1 ¾ cups (275 grams) all-purpose flour
• 1 teaspoon (5 grams) instant yeast
• ½ cup (70 grams) warm milk
• 1 large egg, room temperature
• 5 tablespoons (60 grams) unsalted butter
• 2 tablespoons (35 grams) granulated sugar
• ¼ teaspoon (3 grams) kosher salt
• 4 cups neutral oil for frying (I use vegetable oil)

Instructions:

1. Place flour, yeast, butter and sugar in a food processor and pulse to combine (using a pastry blade).

2. Add in salt,milk and egg and continue to pulse until all of the ingredients are combined.

3. Once a cohesive mass has formed, turn out onto work surface and knead until well combined, shiny and no butter chunks are visible.

4. Put in covered container in a warm place for 2 hours.  The dough will puff slightly but will not double in size.  This is fine, and exactly how it’s supposed to be.

Make the apple filling while the dough is proofing.

Ingredients for apple filling:

• 2-3 (250 grams) honey crisp or granny smith apples. diced
• 2 tablespoons (28 grams) unsalted butter
• 2 teaspoons (5 grams) cinnamon
• ¼ teaspoon apple pie spice (optional)
• 1 tablespoon (15 grams) apple cider vinegar
• 1 teaspoon lemon juice
• ¼ teaspoon kosher salt

Instructions for apple filling:

Heat the butter in a saute pan over medium heat until melted and slightly brown.

Dice the apples and place in the pan with the melted butter.  Add the cinnamon (and apple pie spice, if using).  Stir everything together and continue to cook for about 2 minutes. Add the apple cider vinegar, lemon juice and salt and cook until most of the moisture has evaperated.

Place on a baking sheet to cool.

While the apples are cooling, make the glaze for the fritters.

Ingredients for the glaze:

• 2 cups (240 grams) confectioners’ sugar, sifted
• ¼ teaspoon kosher salt
• 1 teaspoon vanilla bean paste (or pure vanilla extract)
• 3-4 tablespoons (46-61 grams) milk
• 1 tablespoon butter (14 grams), melted and cooled slightly

Instructions for glaze:

Place all of the ingredients in a medium bowl and whisk until smooth.

Add more milk if needed for desired consistency.

Rolling, forming and frying the fritters:

Place proofed dough on a floured surface.  Dust the top of the dough and rolling pin with a little four.  Roll into a square (about 12″ X 12″).

Place the cooled apple filling on top of the dough and spread evenly to the edges.

Sprinkle flour over the filling (about ¼ cup).

Roll the dough and filling like you would a cinnamon roll.

Using a bench scraper (or sharp knife) cut 1″ strips on a diagonal.

Cut 1″ strips on a diagonal going in the opposite direction.

Press the dough together and add a little flour.  This will help to hold everything together.

Cut the compressed dough into six pieces.  Press and form the dough into an oval shape.  Place the dough on parchment pieces and cover with a tea towel. Let the dough rest for 20 minutes while the oil is heating.

Heat the oil to 360° F.  Keep a close watch on the oil and make sure it doesn’t go below 350° F (it will drop a little bit when the fritters are placed in the oil).

Cook for 2 minutes on one side and then flip them over and continue to cook for another 2 minutes.

BE VERY CAREFUL WHEN FRYING THE FRITTERS!  THE OIL IS VERY HOT!!

Place the cooked fritters on a cooling rack and continue frying until they are all done.

Gently dip the apple fritters in the glaze (so they don’t fall apart).  Place them back on the cooling rack and wait about 10 minutes for them to set (longest 10 minutes EVER! hahaha).  Enjoy!!!

I enjoy mine with a nice, steamy cup of hot coffee…Mmmmm!!!!

I hope you make these crunchy, flavorful bits of deliciousness!  If you do, please tag me @goodeatsbymimi.  I would love to hear from you and see your photos!!