Coffee-Glazed Apple Bacon Fritters

 

1 T. salted butter

3 tart apples, peeled, cored, and cut into ½-inch chunks

12 slices thick-cut bacon, cooked and cooled

11/4 cups all-purpose flour

11/2 tsp. baking powder

1/2 tsp. fine sea salt

1/2 tsp. ground anise

1 large egg

1/4 cup granulated sugar

1/2 cup sparkling apple juice

2 cups icing sugar

1/4 cup extra-strong coffee or espresso, cooled

Vegetable oil, for frying

 

In a saucepan over medium heat, melt the butter and let it cook until it is light golden. Add the apples and cook, turning frequently, until they just begin to soften and deepen in color, 7– 8 minutes. Do not let them cook all the way through— you want them soft but with a bit of crunch. Remove from the heat and transfer to a mixing bowl. Crumble the bacon into the apples, stir to combine, and set aside. In a large mixing bowl, sieve the flour with the baking powder, salt, and ground anise. Set it aside. In a separate large mixing bowl, whisk the egg with the sugar until they turn a light golden color. Add the apples and bacon to the wet ingredients and mix to combine. Pour the wet ingredients into the dry and, using a spatula or wooden spoon, stir slightly until just combined. Add the sparkling apple juice and give it all a final stir to combine. In another mixing bowl, whisk the icing sugar with the coffee to make a glaze. Set it aside. Place a wire rack over a rimmed baking sheet. Line another baking sheet with paper towel. Add 3– 4 inches of vegetable oil to a Dutch oven over medium heat. Warm the oil to 350°F. Working quickly, use two tablespoons to scoop up some batter and carefully drop it into the oil. Cook three to four fritters at a time. Cook for about 2 minutes, or until deeply golden on one side. Flip over and cook the other side for another minute or two, until each side is evenly colored. Remove from the oil and let drain on the paper towel. While the fritters are still warm, dip them into the coffee glaze, let the excess drain off, and place on the wire rack to set. These will keep in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 5 days. To get them crispy again, preheat the oven to 350°F, place the fritters on a parchment-lined baking tray, and place in the oven for 10– 12 minutes.