Instructions

1. Heat a medium saucepan over medium high heat. Add in the apples, sugar, butter, and cinnamon and cook for about 5 minutes, until the apples begin to soften. You don’t want them mushy, just beginning to be soft. 
2. Remove from heat and allow to cool while you make your dough.
3. In a stand mixer fitted with a dough hook attachment, combine yeast, warm milk, and 1 tablespoon of the sugar. Stir and let sit for 15 minutes to make sure the yeast is activated. After 15 minutes, you should see bubbles all around the surface of the mixture. This signals the yeast is alive and kickin’.
4. Add in the remaining sugar, egg, and half of the flour. Stir everything to combine, then add in the remaining flour and the bourbon. Turn mixer to medium low and mix for 2-3 minutes, until everything is well-combined. At this point, add in the butter and cinnamon. 
5. Continue to mix for roughly 10 minutes, until the dough is smooth throughout. It will be fairly wet, but should not be sticky to the touch. 
6. Grease a second bowl. Remove dough from mixing bowl and place into greased bowl. Cover with a kitchen towel or plastic wrap and place in a warm area to rise for 1 hour.
7. Line two cookie sheets with parchment paper and set aside.
8. Flour a working surface, remove risen dough from bowl, and place onto surface. Use a rolling pin to roll dough into a 10″x16″ rectangle. Place apple mixture onto one half of the rectangle, then fold the other half over the apples. Pinch the outside edges of the dough together to seal in the apples. Roll the rectangle out again into a 10″x16″ rectangle (it’s OK if some apples come out), then fold again. You should end with roughly a 10″x8″ rectangle.
9. This is where it gets messy, but I believe in you!! Use a bench scraper or sharp knife to cut dough into roughly 1/2-inch cubes. Scoop all the pieces up with your hands and begin to work them into a 12″ log. Sprinkle the log with flour and roll some more, making sure all the pieces are as tightly packed as possible. 
10. Use the bench scraper or floss (this is an old trick I use!) to cut the dough into 12 equal pieces. Place each fritter onto the prepared cookie sheets, leaving 2 inches between each fritters. Cover again with a towel or plastic wrap and allow to rise again, this time for 30 minutes. 
11. Place a cooling rack over a cookie sheet (this will catch any drips from your fritters once you take them out of the oil) and set aside.
12. Add about a quart of vegetable oil to a large heavy-bottomed pot. Heat the oil over medium heat until it reaches 350°F, then turn down the heat, keeping the temperature steady at 350°F. 
13. Fry your fritters two at a time, frying for about 1 minute on the first side, and 30 seconds on the second side, until golden brown throughout. Remove using a slotted spoon, placing on prepared cooling rack. Repeat with remaining fritters.
14. Last step, people! Once all your fritters are fried, it’s time to glaze! In a microwave bowl, heat powdered sugar, bourbon, milk, and butter for 15 seconds. Stir. Mixture will be thick, but should be thin enough that you can dip the fritters in easily. If it’s not thin enough, microwave it for an additional 10 seconds.
15. Dip the top of each fritter into the glaze, then place back on the cooling rack to set. ET VOILA! YOU DID IT! FRITTER TIME!