Paula Deen Apple Fritter Recipes

CLASSIC APPLE FRITTERS DOUGHNUTS

Steps:

• For the dough: In a large bowl or the bowl of a stand mixer fitted with the paddle attachment, add the yeast to the warm water. Add the sugar, stir and let stand 5 minutes.
• Meanwhile, in a large bowl, whisk together the flour, sugar, baking powder, mace and salt. Set aside.
• When yeast is ready, add the shortening, egg and vanilla and mix with the PADDLE attachment on low speed for 1 minute (to break up the shortening). Add about 1/3 of the flour mixture and mix until combined. Add a second third of the flour mixture and again, mix until combined. Switch to the dough hook and add the remaining flour mixture. Knead with the hook until all that flour is incorporated. If dough is sticky, start adding flour in 1 Tbsp. increments, until the dough comes together, clears the bottom of the bowl and is becoming smooth. Knead on medium for about 2 minutes more. The dough should be smooth and but still a bit moist (but not sticky).
• Place the dough in an oiled bowl, cover with plastic wrap and set-aside to rise until doubled in size (about 1 hour).
• Meanwhile, make the apple filling. Place the diced apples, sugar and lemon juice into a skillet over medium heat. Cook, stirring often, until all the liquid has evaporated and the apples are softened, about 5 minutes. Remove to a bowl to cool completely before using.
• *See the video above this Recipe Card for a complete demonstration of the following shaping and cutting process.
• When bread has finished it's first rise, remove to a lightly floured surface and roll into a 10-inch x 10-inch square. Sprinkle the apples over one half of the dough. Sprinkle all the cinnamon evenly over the apples and then sprinkle with the 1 Tbsp. flour. Fold the empty side of the dough over the side with the apples. Using a sharp knife or a bench scraper, cut the dough into 1/2-inch wide strips from top to bottom. Repeat cutting 1/2-inch strips from side to side, so you end up with small chunks of dough. Gather up the dough bits and cut some more, from different directions, until it is in small chunks and evenly mixed with cinnamon/apples/dough etc.
• Using floured hands, roughly shape into a 12-inch long x 3-inch wide log. Cut the log into 1 inch slices. With each slice, roughly pat into a disc, about the size of your palm (use some additional flour, as needed, if your dough is sticky). Place the dough discs onto a parchment lined or floured baking sheet, leaving a couple of inches of room around each. Repeat with all 12 dough pieces. Cover with plastic wrap or a clean tea towel and set-aside to rise until doubled again, about 30-45 minutes (approximately. Will vary depending on room temperature. The fritters should double in size and look puffy).
• When the fritters are almost risen, prepare the glaze. Add the icing sugar, corn syrup, salt and vanilla in a large bowl. Set aside.
• In a small saucepan, bring the water and white granulated sugar to a boil over high heat then reduce heat to medium and simmer for 1 minute. Add this mixture to the bowl with the icing sugar and whisk until all the sugar and has been incorporated and the mixture is smooth. (You don't want any lumps :) Cover with plastic wrap and set aside until needed.
• When dough is about ready to cook, heat oil in a deep fryer to 370° (alternately, use a heavy deep pot and a thermometer to monitor temperature). Fry each donut until deep golden on the underside (1 1/2 - 2 minutes), flip over and fry the other side. (*time and temperature may need to vary. Watch closely the first few to determine timing. If they seem to be browning too quickly, lower temperature slightly or likewise, if they seem to be taking too long to brown, raise the temperature slightly). Remove to a cooling rack placed over a baking sheet. If there are any loose apples in the frying oil, scoop out between batches so you don't have any apple pieces burning in the oil and causing bitter flavours.
• While the fritters are still quite warm (as soon as they are cool enough to handle), dip into prepared glaze and return to cooling rack to cool completely. *Stir the glaze mixture regularly during the process, to keep it nice and smooth.

APPLE FRITTERS

Steps:

• In a mixing bowl, combine the flour, sugar, baking powder, cinnamon, and salt.
• In a separate bowl, beat the eggs with a fork, then add milk, melted butter, and vanilla.
• Gently fold dry and wet ingredients together until just combined (do not over mix.) Fold in the apples. Add enough apples to make a very chunky batter. You want the apples to shine though!
• Heat a couple of inches of canola oil in a dutch oven over medium heat. When it gets hot (about 350 degrees), 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.
• Drop 1 tablespoon 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. Repeat with the remaining batter. Remove fritters and drain on a paper towel.
• For the glaze (if using): In a medium bowl, whisk together the powdered sugar, salt, vanilla extract and whole milk.
• Dust the fritters very generously with powdered sugar, or dip fritters in the light doughnut glaze. Serve warm!

BAKED APPLE FRITTERS

Steps:

• Preheat oven to 350°F. Lightly spray two mini muffin pans with non-stick cooking spray.
• In a large bowl, whisk together the flour, sugar, baking powder, salt, cinnamon, and nutmeg. Cut in the butter with a pastry blender or two knives until coarse crumbs form.
• In a small bowl, whisk together the egg, vanilla and yogurt. Add the yogurt mixture to the flour mixture and stir until well combined. Fold in the chopped and shredded apples.
• Place a few teaspoons of batter in each muffin cup. Bake for 15 minutes until they just start to brown.
• Remove the fritters from the oven and turn the oven broiler on high. Line two cookie sheets with parchment. Transfer the fritters to the cookie sheets.
• In a small bowl, whisk together 1 cup powdered sugar and 4 tablespoons apple cider. The glaze should be very thin. Brush the glaze over each fritter and let it drip down the sides. Return the fritters to the oven and broil for 2-4 minutes until the glaze starts to caramelize the tops of each fritter. Rotate the baking sheets every minute to insure even caramelization. Be sure to watch the fritters carefully so they don't blacken and burn.
• Remove from the oven. Whisk remaining powdered sugar and apple cider into leftover glaze until it's smooth and thick. Brush glaze evenly over broiled fritters. Let set on cookie sheets until glaze hardens, about 15 minutes.
• Notes: Store in the refrigerator. Reheat in the microwave for 15-20 seconds or in the oven at 350°F for 5-10 minutes.

APPLE FRITTERS

Steps:

• In a medium bowl, mix together the flour, 1/4 cup sugar, the cinnamon, salt, baking powder and baking soda. Add the sparkling water, buttermilk and vanilla, and stir until the mixture forms a batter. Let rest for 15 minutes.
• In a small bowl, whisk together the remaining 1/2 cup sugar and the lemon zest.
• In a heavy 4 to 5-quart saucepan, heat the olive oil and vegetable oil over medium heat until a deep-fry thermometer registers 375 degrees F. (If you don't have a thermometer, a cube of bread should brown in about 3 minutes.)
• Meanwhile, peel and core the apples, then cut into 1/2-inch-thick slices. Using paper towels, blot the apple slices dry.
• Add the apple slices to the batter and toss until coated. Working in batches, fry the apples, turning occasionally, until golden brown, 2 to 3 minutes per batch. Drain on paper towels and sprinkle with the lemon sugar while still warm. Serve immediately.

APPLE FRITTERS

Steps:

• In a large bowl, combine the flour, sugar, baking powder and salt. In another bowl, combine the egg, milk, butter, orange juice, zest and vanilla. Add to dry ingredients just until moistened. Fold in apples., In an electric skillet or deep-fat fryer, heat 1/4 in. of oil to 375°. Drop batter by rounded tablespoons into oil. Fry until golden brown on both sides. Drain on paper towels. Dust with confectioners' sugar. Serve warm.

APPLE FRITTERS

Steps:

• Heat a couple of inches of vegetable oil in a heavy pot or Dutch oven over medium to medium-low heat until a deep-fry thermometer inserted in the oil registers 340 degrees F.
• In a mixing bowl, combine the flour, granulated sugar, baking powder, cinnamon and salt. In a separate bowl, beat the eggs with a fork, then add the milk, melted butter and vanilla. Gently fold the dry and wet ingredients together until just combined (do not over-mix). Fold in the apples, adding enough to make a very chunky batter.
• Drop heaping tablespoons of batter into the hot oil, 6 to 8 at a time. Fry until golden brown, 4 to 6 minutes. Remove and drain on paper towels. Dust generously with powdered sugar and serve warm with sausage and bacon!

JULIE'S APPLE FRITTERS

Steps:

• Pour enough oil into an electric skillet so that the bottom is well covered, about 1/8" deep. Depending on how fast you are, either turn the skillet on now or wait until you start on the apples. The oil should be at 375 degrees.
• Combine in a bowl the beaten egg, milk, sugar, cinnamon and sour cream. In separate bowl, whisk together flour, baking powder and salt. Add flour mixture to egg mixture and mix well.
• Peel apples, core and slice them into 1/4" slices. Dip slices in batter and carefully place in oil. Cook for 1 to 2 minutes. Turn and cook 1 to 2 minutes more. Remove fritters and drain. Sprinkle with powdered sugar if desired. Serve warm.

GLAZED APPLE FRITTERS

Steps:

• Filling: Using a paring knife, scrape out the vanilla seeds. Place half of the pod, half of the seeds, and 2 tablespoons butter in a 12-inch skillet; set over medium-high heat. Cook until butter is bubbling. Add half of the apples; toss to coat. Add 1/4 teaspoon cinnamon and 2 tablespoons sugar; saute, stirring occasionally, until apples begin to soften, about 5 minutes. Add 2 tablespoons vinegar and 1/2 cup cider; increase heat to high. Cook until liquid has been absorbed and apples start to brown, about 8 minutes. Remove from heat. Remove and discard pod. Transfer apples to a baking sheet. Wash skillet, and repeat with the remaining ingredients.
• Dough: Place yeast in the bowl of an electric mixer. Heat milk in a pan over medium heat until warm to the touch. Pour milk over yeast; sprinkle 2 cups pastry flour on top. Set aside until flour begins to crack, 15 to 20 minutes.
• Place the egg yolks and sugar in a medium bowl; whisk to combine. Add the cider, butter, salt, cinnamon, vanilla extract, the remaining 1/4 cup pastry flour, and 1 cup bread flour; whisk to combine.
• Add flour mixture to the yeast mixture. Using the dough-hook attachment, mix on low speed 30 seconds. (The dough should look very soft but still have structure; if it appears liquidy, add remaining 2 tablespoons bread flour.) Increase speed to medium and mix dough 3 to 4 minutes.
• Lightly oil a large bowl. Sift an even layer of pastry flour onto a clean work surface, and lightly flour your hands. Turn out dough, and gather into a ball. Transfer dough to oiled bowl, and cover with plastic wrap. Set aside in a warm place to rise until doubled in size, about 1 1/2 hours.
• Lightly dust a baking pan with flour, and line a second one with paper towels. Set both pans aside.
• Turn out dough onto a lightly floured work surface. Using your hands, stretch the dough into a 10-by-15-inch rectangle, about 1/2 inch thick. Spread half of the reserved apple mixture over dough, and fold dough, like a letter, into thirds. Pat down with your hand, forming another 10-by-15-inch rectangle. Spread the remaining apples over the dough, and fold into thirds again; the apples will be evenly distributed throughout the dough. Gather the dough into a ball, and return dough to oiled bowl. Re-cover, and set aside in a warm place until doubled in size again, about 30 minutes.
• Turn out dough onto a lightly floured work surface; pat into a 10-by-15-inch rectangle, about 1 inch thick. Using a 2 1/2-inch round cutter, cut out fritters as close together as possible, dipping cutter in flour before each cut. Transfer fritters to floured baking pan. Set aside to rest 10 minutes, but not longer.
• While dough rests, heat oil in a low-sided six-quart saucepan over medium-high heat until a deep-frying thermometer registers 375°F.
• Flour your hands. Lift a fritter, pulling the ends to make a 4-inch oval; carefully drop into oil. Repeat with two more pieces of dough. Cook until fritters begin to brown, about 2 minutes. Using a slotted spoon, turn fritters over; cook until evenly browned, 2 minutes more. Transfer fritters to lined pan. Repeat with remaining dough.
• Coat fritters with white glaze. Transfer to a wire rack, and let glaze set. Serve warm or at room temperature.