This fall treat has been a favourite for longer than we can remember. Our Mother, who was a wonderful baker, never served these that we can recall. Her specialty, one of many, was the best apple pie we've ever tasted. And we've tasted many.
We come from McIntosh Apple Country. Eastern Ontario. The original McIntosh apple trees were just a few miles from our home, in Dundela, Ontario, a tiny hamlet in it's hay-day..
Every apple season when we were young the Morrisburg Lions Club celebrated the McIntosh apple with a fund-raiser titled Applefest. And ever event had something to do with the famed fruit. One of the church ladies' groups always set up the apple fritter preparation, frying and sales.
Our limited pocket change was spent entirely on this treat and then we pooled what left-over pennies we could scrounge together and would share a last one.
Ingredients:
For the Fritters:
3/4 cup all-purpose flour
3/4 cup white whole wheat flour
1/2 cup brown sugar
2 teaspoons baking powder
1 teaspoon cinnamon
1/2 teaspoon nutmeg
1/4 teaspoon allspice
1/4 teaspoon salt
6 tablespoons butter, cold and cut into pieces
1/2 cup milk (the higher the fat content, the richer the flavor)
1 egg
1 teaspoon vanilla extract
1 cup chopped apple
For the Glaze:
1 cup confectioner's sugar
2 tablespoons milk (a higher percentage of fat works the best)
1 teaspoon vanilla extract
Instructions:
Preheat your oven to 375°F (190°C) and line a baking sheet with parchment paper.
In a large bowl, whisk together the all-purpose flour, white whole wheat flour, brown sugar, baking powder, cinnamon, nutmeg, allspice, and salt.
Add the cold, cut butter to the flour mixture. Use a pastry cutter or your fingers to mix until the mixture resembles coarse crumbs.
In a separate bowl, whisk together the milk, egg, and vanilla extract.
Pour the wet ingredients into the dry ingredients and stir until just combined. Fold in the chopped apple.
Drop spoonfuls of the batter onto the prepared baking sheet, shaping them into fritters.
Bake for 15-18 minutes, or until the fritters are golden brown and a toothpick inserted into the center comes out clean.
While the fritters are baking, prepare the glaze by whisking together the confectioner's sugar, milk, and vanilla extract until smooth.
Once the fritters are done, allow them to cool slightly before drizzling with the glaze. Serve warm.
Prep Time: 15 minutes | Cooking Time: 18 minutes | Total Time: 33 minutes
Kcal: 220 kcal per serving | Servings: 12 fritters