Fall Favorites: Caramel Apple Cider & Apple Fritters

Reader Contribution by Justine Patton
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Justine Patton is an editorial intern for The Herb Companion magazine.

The fact that I love hot weather is definitely not news to my friends or family. For a long time, I’ve wished the sweltering summer season Kansas experiences each year would just stay here forever. But after the weeks of heat advisories and 100 plus temperatures, even I am a little excited by the coming of fall.

When I was a kid, my mom would take my brother and me to the Red Barn Farm in Weston, Missouri every October. There, we would pick pumpkins, munch on apple fritters and sip on apple cider to keep us warm. So, every time fall comes around, I start craving those treats from my childhood. Now, I will share them with you.

Since I started my college career, I discovered coffee, which of course led to another discovery–Starbucks. But coffee isn’t always the best idea–especially when I’m out making evening shopping ventures. So, sometimes, I spring for the apple cider instead. Yummy! Here is a recipe for apple cider that is supposed to mimic the coffee shops’.

Nothing beats a cup of warm apple cider on a brisk autumn night.
Photo by 3liz4/Courtesy
Flickr

Caramel Apple Cider

SERVES 1

• Cinnamon syrup, a couple of squirts (sold in the store)
• Treetop premium apple juice
• Whipped cream
• Caramel syrup drizzled on top

1. Blend cinnamon syrup with apple juice.

2. Top with whipped cream and caramel syrup. Enjoy!

Since apple fritters may not be the healthiest snack, share these tasty treats with a few friends this fall.
Photo by arnold | inuyaki/Courtesy
Flickr

Apple Fritters

In my opinion, nothing goes better with apple cider than a nice, warm apple fritter. MAKES 2 DOZEN

• 1 tablespoon butter
• 2 tablespoons brown sugar
• Juice of one lemon
• 1/4 cup water
• 2 cups chopped apples
• Splash apple brandy
• 1/4 teaspoon cinnamon
• 2 eggs, separated
• 2/3 cup milk
• 1 tablespoon melted butter
• 1 cup sifted flour
• 1/4 teaspoon salt
• 1 tablespoon sugar
• Drizzle cane syrup
• Confectioners’ sugar

1. Preheat a deep fryer.

2. In a saucepan, melt the butter.

3. Stir in the brown sugar and cook for 30 seconds to dissolve the sugar. Add the lemon juice, water, apples, brandy and cinnamon.

4. Cook the apples for about 3 to 5 minutes or until the apples start to wilt.

5. Remove from the heat and cool completely.

6. In a mixing bowl, whisk the egg yolks, milk, melted butter and cooled apple mixture.

7. Stir in the dry ingredients into the liquid mixture.

8. Blend until the batter is incorporated. Cover the batter, place in the refrigerator and let rest for 2 to 4 hours.

9. In a standing mixer or with a whisk, beat egg whites until stiff.

10. Remove the batter from the refrigerator and blend until smooth. Fold in the beaten egg white.

11. Using a large spoon, drop the batter into the hot oil and fry until golden brown, about 3 to 4 minutes.

12. Remove from the oil and drain on paper-lined plate.

13. To serve, mound the warm fritters on a platter and drizzle with cane syrup. Garnish the fritters with powdered sugar. 

Enjoy!

  • Published on Sep 7, 2011
Tagged with: Reader Contributions
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