Apple Fritter Pie Sandwiches

I’m going to start doing smart things more often, like reading the “100 New Health Discoveries” book The Husband got me for Christmas instead of binge-watching the Holiday Baking Challenge for five straight episodes On Demand (only getting up off the couch once, to pee). Smart things like doing 5,000-piece puzzles to create smart things called synapses in my brain, instead of destroying things in my brain (like the areas responsible for short term memory… troubling) with that customary extra splash of vodka in my White Russian.

So the smartest thing I’ve done so far in 2016 is STUFF AN APPLE FRITTER WITH THE GOODNESS THAT GOES INTO AN APPLE PIE. (Caps = yelling, I know. I’m YELLING THIS TO YOU. Take a hint, this is important.) I’m going to do smart things like this All Year Long.

Let’s pause for a moment, baker.

I know you (and I) thought I was brilliant when I made this Caramel Donut Sandwich. We all did. But I think I outsmarted even that move this time, because apple-pie-bits stuffed into an apple fritter just trumps any stuffed donut out there, so please let’s just stop arguing about this. I’m quite conflict-avoidant, and also, I know I’m right. Make the fritter. Cook the apples. Stuff the fritters. Then you can get hit by a train and at least have lived a fulfilled life. A smart one, at that.

Adapted from my Apple Freaking Fritter and Apple-icious Pie recipes…

FRITTERS:

2 Granny Smith apples, cored and cut into small dice

1 tablespoon butter

5+ cups vegetable oil, for deep-frying

2 cups all-purpose flour

1/2 cup plus 3 tablespoons sugar

2 1/4 teaspoons baking powder

2 teaspoons ground cinnamon

1 1/4 teaspoons salt

2 eggs

3/4 cup whole milk

2 tablespoons melted butter

2 teaspoons vanilla extract

GLAZE:

1 1/2 cups powdered sugar

3 to 4 tablespoons milk

1 teaspoon vanilla extract

APPLE PIE FILLING:

1 teaspoon freshly squeezed lemon juice

3 Granny Smith apples, cored & peeled

3 tablespoons light brown sugar

2 tablespoons butter

Pinch ground cinnamon
1. FRITTERS:
  1. In a frying pan, stir apples and 1 tablespoon of butter together and fry over medium heat for 3 minutes. Set aside to cool.
  2. Heat a few inches of vegetable oil in a heavy pot over medium to medium-low heat until a deep-fry thermometer inserted in the oil registers 340º.
  3. In a large mixing bowl, combine flour, sugar, baking powder, cinnamon and salt.
  4. In a medium bowl, lightly beat eggs, then add milk, melted butter and vanilla. Gently fold the wet ingredients into the dry ingredients bowl until just combined (do not over-mix). Fold in the cooled apples, adding enough to make a very chunky batter.
  5. Drop heaping tablespoons of batter into hot oil, 6 – 8 at a time. Fry until golden brown, 4 – 6 minutes total and flipping over halfway through. Remove and drain on paper towels.
  6. Make the glaze: in a medium bowl, sift the powdered sugar and stir in milk and vanilla until smooth. Using two forks, dip warm fritters into bowl and allow excess glaze to drip off. Place on a cooling rack to set. Slice in half with a serrated knife.
2. APPLE PIE FILLING:
  1. Squeeze lemon juice into a large bowl.
  2. Peel, halve, and core the apples. Cut each half into 4-6 chunks. Toss the apples with lemon juice as you add chunks to the bowl. Add the sugar and toss to combine evenly.
  3. In a large skillet, melt the butter over medium-high heat. Cook the apples, stirring, until the sugar dissolves and the mixture begins to simmer (about 2 minutes). Cover and reduce heat to medium-low, cooking until the apples soften (about 7 minutes).
  4. Allow the apples to cool and stuff into sliced apple fritters like sandwiches. Serve the same day they are made for maximum amazingment.
Tips:
- CHEATER ALERT! You can totally buy the apple fritter from a (gasp!) store. Are you all about shortcuts in life? Seriously. I made the Apple Freaking Fritters at home because they are EXCELLENT, but if you’re not in the mood to heat up and then waste a shitload of oil- that’s what the bakery is for. Make your own if you’re a purist, or just stuff the filling into a donut that has your name on it from the market or bakery or Tim Hortons or Dunkin Donuts or wherever you get your donut high from.
- Get creative… slice open a plain donut and swap the apples for blueberries or strawberries to change the flavor profile. Or make this Caramel Donut Sandwich that I already want on about.
- The fritters freeze well, and the apples will too, but just not together. Keep them in separate bags and thaw to room temperature before assembling and serving.
- Enjoy!
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February 6th, 2016 | More Sweets Please | No Comments | Tags: Fruit, Unidentifiable!