Baked Apple Fritters

A delightful twist on the classic deep-fried treat, these Baked Apple Fritters offer the comforting flavors of cinnamon-spiced apples combined with a soft, cake-like texture. Perfect for a cozy evening or festive brunch, they pair wonderfully with toppings like whipped cream or vanilla ice cream, making them an irresistible and versatile dessert.

INGREDIENTS:

2 large apples peeled, cored, and finely diced

1 1/2 cups all-purpose flour

1/4 cup granulated sugar

1/4 cup brown sugar

2 teaspoons baking powder

1 1/2 teaspoons ground cinnamon

1/2 teaspoon salt

2/3 cup milk

2 eggs lightly beaten

2 tablespoons unsalted butter melted

1 teaspoon vanilla extract

Optional: Powdered sugar for dusting

DIRECTIONS:

Preheat and Prep: Preheat oven to 350°F (175°C). Lightly grease a baking sheet or line it with parchment paper.

Mix Dry Ingredients: In a large bowl, combine flour, granulated sugar, brown sugar, baking powder, cinnamon, and salt.

Combine Wet Ingredients: In a separate bowl, whisk together milk, eggs, melted butter, and vanilla extract.

Form the Batter: Gently fold the wet ingredients into the dry ingredients until just combined. Do not overmix.

Add Apples: Fold in the diced apples until evenly distributed.

Bake: Drop batter onto the prepared baking sheet in 1/4 cup portions. Bake for 15-20 minutes, or until golden brown and set in the middle.

Cool and Serve: Let fritters cool for 5 minutes on the baking sheet before transferring to a wire rack. Dust with powdered sugar if desired.