Apple Zeppole with Cinnamon Honey

I recently watched an episode of Everyday Italian and Giada made these Italian apple donuts that looked amazing. And since I never make fried desserts, I decided to try making these donuts. The original recipe calls for cinnamon whipped cream to dunk the donuts in, but I opted for a honey cinnamon glaze which changed the recipe into an Italian-Greek dessert. I also included the directions to make the whipped cream.

Apple Zeppole with Cinnamon Honey

For the batter:

1 large apple, peeled and grated (about 1 1/2 cups)

1/4 cup sugar

1 stick unsalted sweet butter

1/4 teaspoon salt

1/2 cup water

1 cup flour

4 eggs

olive oil for frying

For the cinnamon honey:

1/4 cup honey, warmed in the microwave

1 teaspoon cinnamon

For the cinnamon whipped cream:

1 cup whipping cream, cold

2 tablespoons confectioners' sugar

1 teaspoon cinnamon

In medium saucepan combine the butter, salt, sugar and water over medium heat. Bring to a boil. Take pan off the heat and stir in the flour. Return to the pan to medium heat and stir continuously until mixture forms a ball, about 3 minutes. Transfer the flour mixture to a medium bowl. Using an electric mixer on low speed, add eggs one at a time, incorporating each egg completely before adding the next. Beat until smooth. Add the grated apple and stir to combine. 

Pour enough oil into a large frying pan to reach a depth of 2 inches. Heat oil over medium heat until a a thermometer reaches 325 degrees. I just tested the oil by dropping a small amount of dough into the oil. If the dough immediately started bubbling, then the oil was ready.

Using a small ice cream scooper or 2 small spoons, carefully drop about a rounded tablespoon of dough into the hot oil. Turn the zeppole once or twice and cook until golden brown and puffed up, about 4 minutes. Fry the zeppole in batches. Drain on paper towels.

If using the honey glaze, mix the cinnamon and warmed honey together in a large bowl. Add the hot donuts once drained to the mixture and mix with a large spoon so each donut is covered in honey. 

If using the whipped cream, combine the whipping cream, 2 tablespoons confectioners' sugar and cinnamon in a medium bowl. Whip until medium soft peaks form. Transfer the whipping cream to a serving dish. Place donuts on a plate and sprinkle with confectioners' sugar and serve with the whipped cream on the side.