Baked Apple Fritters

Testing a new recipe, 'Odessa' Apple Fritters. These will be at the Odessa Transitions Orphan Assistance table at the Winter Park Presbyterian Global Market this Saturday.

 

Ingredients:

• 1-1/2 cups all-purpose flour (190g)
• 1/2 cup granulated sugar
• 2 teaspoons baking powder
• 1/2 teaspoon salt
• 2 teaspoons cinnamon
• 1/4 teaspoon nutmeg
• 6 tablespoons cold butter
• 1 large egg
• 1 teaspoon vanilla
• 6 ounce vanilla yogurt (or Greek yogurt with some extra vanilla)
• 1 cup chopped apple (about 1 large apple)
• 1/2 cup shredded apple (about 1 small apple)
• 2 cups powdered sugar
• 1/3 cup apple cider

Instructions:

1. Reduce cider for more intense flavor: Simmer 1 cup apple cider over low-medium heat in a small saucepan on the stove for 15-20 minutes. Add 1/2 teaspoon cinnamon & optionally an orange slice for flavor if desired. 
2. Preheat oven to 350°F. Lightly spray two mini muffin pans with non-stick cooking spray. Line two cookie sheets with parchment paper.
3. In food processor, whisk together the flour, sugar, baking powder, salt, cinnamon, and nutmeg. Cut in the butter with food processor (or a pastry blender) until coarse crumbs form.
4. In a large bowl, whisk together the egg, vanilla and yogurt. Add the flour mixture to the wet mixture and stir until well combined. Fold in the apples.
5. Place a few teaspoons of batter in each muffin cup. (I used the small cookie scoop.) Bake for 15 minutes until they just start to brown. 
6. In a small bowl, whisk together 1 cup powdered sugar and 4 to 5 tablespoons apple cider. The glaze should be very thin. (You may microwave 20 seconds to make thinner.)
7. Remove the fritters from the oven and turn the oven broiler on high.  Transfer the fritters to the cookie sheets.
8. 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. WATCH the fritters carefully so they don’t blacken and burn.
9. Remove from the oven. Whisk remaining powdered sugar and apple cider into leftover glaze until it’s smooth and thick. Brush glaze evenly over warm-from-broiler fritters. Let set on cookie sheets until glaze hardens, about 15 minutes.

Carole's Notes: 

These were a hit at the Global Christmas Market. They are also my favorite new recipe for the month - baked apple fritters! Three layers of apple flavor - plus cinnamon and sugar!

The recipe was lightly adapted from http://www.goldmedalflour.com/OurBakerBlog/Baked%20Apple%20Fritters
 
I also baked these another time in a 4 inch pan as larger apple fritters. They needed to bake for 3 - 5 minutes longer.