Baked Apple Fritters

Ingredients:

For the Fritters:

• 2 cups all-purpose flour
• 1/4 cup granulated sugar
• 2 teaspoons baking powder
• 1/2 teaspoon salt
• 1 teaspoon ground cinnamon
• 1/4 teaspoon ground nutmeg
• 1/2 cup whole milk
• 2 large eggs
• 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
• 3 tablespoons unsalted butter, melted
• 2 cups peeled and chopped apples (such as Granny Smith or Honeycrisp)
• 1/4 cup light brown sugar, packed

For the Glaze:

• 1 cup powdered sugar
• 2-3 tablespoons milk
• 1/2 teaspoon vanilla extract

Step-by-Step Instructions:

1. Preheat the oven: Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C) and line a baking sheet with parchment paper or lightly grease it.
2. Prepare the dry ingredients: In a large mixing bowl, whisk together the flour, granulated sugar, baking powder, salt, cinnamon, and nutmeg until well combined.
3. Mix the wet ingredients: In a separate bowl, whisk together the whole milk, eggs, vanilla extract, and melted butter until smooth.
4. Combine wet and dry ingredients: Pour the wet mixture into the dry ingredients and stir until just combined. Be careful not to overmix.
5. Fold in the apples and brown sugar: Gently fold in the chopped apples and packed light brown sugar until evenly distributed throughout the batter.
6. Shape the fritters: Use a spoon to drop heaping tablespoons of the batter onto the prepared baking sheet, shaping each mound into a round fritter shape. Leave a bit of space between each fritter, as they will spread slightly while baking.
7. Bake the fritters: Bake in the preheated oven for 15-18 minutes, or until the fritters are golden brown and a toothpick inserted into the center comes out clean. Remove from the oven and let them cool slightly on the baking sheet before transferring to a wire rack.
8. Make the glaze: In a small bowl, whisk together the powdered sugar, 2 tablespoons of milk, and vanilla extract until smooth. Add an additional tablespoon of milk if needed to reach your desired consistency.
9. Glaze the fritters: Drizzle the glaze over the warm fritters or dip each fritter into the glaze to coat the tops. Let the glaze set for a few minutes before serving.
10. Serve and enjoy: Serve warm or at room temperature and enjoy these delicious baked apple fritters with a cup of coffee or tea!