Is there anything better than a freshly baked treat? The answer is a resounding and hearty no! There is nothing more delicious or comforting. Not to mention, a homemade treat is a truly wonderful way to show someone you care because it takes genuine thought, time, and effort to bake. Pastries, baked goods, danishes…these are my love language, you might say. I’m not alone in this either. The beloved Julie Andrews lists a delicious-sounding strudel as one of her famous “few favorite things” in that wonderful classic song, “Favorite Things,” from The Sound of Music.
Baking is a joy year-round, but it seems to hold extra cheer and fulfillment in the fall and winter months. It just feels right to fill a warm, cozy kitchen with sweet, spiced aromas when the air outside is crisp and fresh, and the leaves are waving brilliant colors of yellow, orange, and red through the windows. Last week, I had the delight of baking apple fritters for Stephanie in the Prairie Collective studio, and they turned out so delicious that we knew we had to share them with you!
Before I jump straight into the recipe, however, let me tell you a tragic tale that served as the inspiration for these scrumptious sweets. Two summers ago, my husband and I took a vacation to Banff, Canada. This had long been on my bucket list of places to go, and the trip was extra special because it was a celebration of my birthday and a form of “babymoon” before our first son was born. One morning, we stumbled upon a charming local bakery. By “stumbled upon,” I mean I was scouring the entire local area relentlessly for any and all bakeries and pounced if one came into even remote view.
Walking in, we were surprised by the extremely long line of customers, but I have found that this is usually a good sign and a testament to the quality of a place, so we got in line. After a very long wait, we finally found ourselves at the front and were able to view the glass cases full of an incredible array of different treats, breads, pastries, etc. I immediately spied a cheese Danish (which, for the record, is perhaps my top favorite) and was going to order that, but first I asked the worker what she recommended. Did their bakery have one particular baked good they were known for?
If you’re reading this and thinking, “That’s too much effort for a goodie, just order something,” I would say to you two things. Number one, we are clearly not kindred spirits, and number two, this is actually one of my favorite things to ask when we travel. Not just about baked goods, but any type of food, drink, or even activity. I think it makes traveling so much more immersive and enjoyable when you find out what the locals like and are known for, even if it’s something outside of your norm and go-to. I digress. The point is, the woman behind the counter was emphatic that their apple fritters were incredible and their absolute best sellers. I would never have chosen that on my own, but you don’t walk away from a description like that, so I ordered their apple fritter and was so excited to taste the apple-y goodness.
I cannot express the level of disappointment and utter letdown I experienced as I ate that apple fritter. If I were to rename that treat, I would call it “The Imposter.” There was no apple flavor, no apple filling, nothing even reminiscent of apple! I felt like I was eating a plain glazed donut, which in and of itself is fine, but not when you are expecting a pastry bursting with fresh apple flavor! It was a crushing blow. Perhaps a little too crushing, but that’s not the point. The point is, that Canadian apple fritter experience has haunted me ever since. So, this fall, when my husband and I were picking apples from our tree in the backyard and wondering what to do with all of them, and he requested apple fritters, I was determined that MY apple fritters would explode with apple flavor and be everything that I had wished that apple fritter in Canada had been. These fall treats are obviously incredibly delicious fresh and hot from the oven with a cold glass of milk. We found them to be equally yummy cold with hot coffee. So enjoy them however suits you best!
Disclaimer: If there are some of you out there who would consider yourselves donut experts and are expecting such, be warned that these apple fritters do not have the traditional donut-like texture. These fritters are baked (not fried), which makes them easier and faster to whip up, but they do come with a texture closer to that of a scone.
Apple Fritters:
▢3/4 cup all-purpose flour
▢3/4 cup whole wheat pastry 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 cold, cubed butter
▢1/2 cup whole milk
▢1 large egg
▢1 teaspoon vanilla extract
▢1 1/2 – 2 cups chopped apples (skin on)
▢1/4 cup apple butter
Apple Glaze:
▢1 cup powdered sugar
▢2 tablespoons milk (high percentage of fat for best results)
▢1 teaspoon vanilla extract
▢2 heaping tablespoons apple butter
Instructions:
1. Preheat oven to 400 degrees Fahrenheit.
2. Line a baking sheet with parchment paper.
3. Mix together all of the dry ingredients (all-purpose flour, whole wheat pastry flour, brown sugar, baking powder, cinnamon, nutmeg, allspice, and salt) in a mixing bowl.
4. Using a pastry blender, incorporate the cold, cubed butter into the dry ingredients (texture should resemble coarse crumbs).
5. In a separate bowl, whisk together the milk, egg, vanilla, and apple butter.
6. Pour the liquid mixture into the dry ingredients and stir until just combined.
7. Fold in the chopped apples gently, adding more or less to suit your personal preference.
8. Scoop out approximately ¼ cup of dough onto the prepared baking sheet, being sure to leave space in between (you should have 10-12 fritters).
9. Bake for approximately 11-13 minutes, or until the bottoms of the fritters are golden brown and the centers are set.
10. Once done, remove the fritters from the oven and turn the oven temperature to broil.
11. While the oven warms to broil, whisk together the powdered sugar, milk, vanilla, and apple butter in a bowl until smooth.
12. Brush a layer of glaze over each fritter, then place them under the broiler for 2-3 minutes, or until the tops are golden and the glaze begins to bubble (keep a close eye on them; the broil setting can quickly burn the fritters if left in too long).
13. Remove the fritters from the oven and take them off the baking sheet. If any glaze remains, you can apply a second coating while the fritters are still warm.
Happy fall and happy baking!
– Jacquelyn
