Apple Fritters

Make the Fritter Dough

1. Into the bottom of a mixing bowl, stir warm milk, 1 teaspoon granulated sugar and yeast together. Set aside 10 minutes to bloom and activate. After 10 minutes mixture should look foamy. Add in remaining sugar, melted butter, half the flour and the salt.
2. Knead mixture on low to incorporate flour. Slowly add in more and more bread flour 2 tablespoons at a time until dough gathers on the dough hook and cleans the sides of the bowl. Dough should feel tacky but not sticky and leave residue on your hands. Knead 5 minutes.
3. Grease bowl and dough thoroughly. Cover with plastic wrap or clean kitchen towel and set aside to rise and double in size.

Cook the Apples

1. While dough is rising, peel, core and chop apple. Add apple to a small nonstick skillet with butter, sugar and cinnamon. Cook 5-7 minutes or until mostly tender but holding their shape. Set aside to cool.

Form the Apple Fritters

1. Flour a clean work surface and rolling pin. Add dough to the center of the board and dust with more flour. Roll dough out to be an approximate 16"x10" rectangle/oval shape. Spread cooked apples onto 2/3rds of the rolled dough.
2. Fold the bottom third on plain dough over the middle third section and fold the top section (with apples) overtop the middle third section. Press together gently.
3. Using a sharp knife or bench scraper, cut filled dough into small 1/2 inch pieces. I know this seems like a weird step, but it's what gives the fritters that signature look.
4. Flour your hands well and sprinkle the top of the chopped apples lightly with flour. Press into a log to try to stick it back together. I know it seems like counter intuitive to cut it all apart and then stick it back together but this is where the magic happens! I promise it will all make sense in the end.
5. Once your log has formed, cut into 8 equal portions. Using more flour on your hands, press each fritter together so it won't fall apart in the fryer. Set aside for 15-20 minutes to rise slightly while the oil heats up.

Fry the Apple Fritters

1. Add vegetable or canola oil to a deep heavy bottomed pot fitted with a candy thermometer. You want at least 3 inches of oil in the pot. Heat over medium heat to get the oil to hold steady at 375 degrees F. Anywhere between 360 and 380 degrees F is fine, but keep in mind the oil temperature will go down with the addition of the fritters and you will have to adjust. Its better to be at 375-380, add the donuts and have the temp come down to 360. Add two or three donuts to the hot oil and fry 1 minute per side or until a deep golden brown color. Remove from oil and drain on paper towels.

Glaze the Fritters

1. While the donuts are cooling, whisk all the ingredients together for the glaze. Add the milk in bit by bit until the glaze is a little runnier than white school glue. Dip the top of each apple fritter into the glaze and place on cooling rack to drip down. Enjoy warm or at room temperature.