Ingredients
For Fritters:
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1 Tbl. light brown sugar
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2 extra-large eggs
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1/4 tsp. vanilla
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1 cup all-purpose flour
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2 tsp. baking powder
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1/2 tsp. cinnamon
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1/2 tsp. salt
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1/4 cup milk
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1 tsp. fresh lemon juice, ok to sub concentrate (*just a sprinkling is needed of either)
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2-3 cups peeled, cored and chopped Granny Smith or Gravenstein apples (firm pie apples!)
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3 strips thick-cut, lean, peppered & crisp-cooked bacon, crumbled into very small pieces
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1 Tbl. super finely chopped red onion
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Vegetable oil for deep-frying (approx. 4-5 cups- enough to come halfway up sides of pan or skillet)
Spicy Sugar:
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2 Tbl. packed light brown sugar
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2 Tbl. regular sugar
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1/8 tsp. salt
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1/16 tsp. cayenne, more if you want a little extra kick
Instructions
In a large bowl (or the bowl to a stand mixer), cream the sugar, eggs and vanilla for 1-2 minutes with the paddle attachment.Add flour, baking powder, cinnamon, pie spice, salt and milk. Mix well, scraping bowl as needed.In a separate bowl, chop and toss peeled apples with lemon juice. Stir apples into batter.In large, deep, cast iron skillet or deep frying pan, heat vegetable oil to 375º (use a deep-fry thermometer or an electric skillet with a temperature control). Make sure that the oil is hot enough to fry the fritters correctly.Once the oil is at 375º, scoop out large spoonfuls of the batter, and carefully and gently slide the fritter batter into the hot oil. *I use two large serving spoons for this.When they get to a deep golden brown color, carefully turn the fritters over to brown the other side and continue cooking. (This should take approx. 2-3 minutes per each side).When the fritters become brown on both sides (you might have to flip them over again to make sure both sides are nicely browned), you'll know that they'll be fully-cooked throughout.Using a wire mesh strainer or slotted spoon, remove the fritters, one at a time, to a paper-towel lined (several thicknesses) rack to drain, then transfer to another cooling rack to fully cool. (*If wanting to use the cinnamon-sugar coating, sprinkle or roll fritters in the mixture while the fritters are still hot.)For Spicy Sugar: Add ingredients to small bowl and stir until well mixed.
