Spider Webs

 

Ingredients

• Vegetable oil, for frying
• 1 1/2 cups all-purpose flour
• 1 tablespoon granulated sugar
• 3/4 teaspoon baking powder
• 3/4 teaspoon ground cinnamon
• 1/8 teaspoon fine salt
• 3/4 cup milk
• 1 large egg
• 1 tablespoon maple syrup, plus 1/4 cup for brushing
• 1/2 cup confectioners' sugar
• Jelly spiders, orange or black nonpareils, for garnish, optional

Directions

Pour enough oil in a large skillet so it's about 1 inch deep. Heat oil over medium-high heat until a deep-fry thermometer registers between 280 to 300 degree F.

Meanwhile, whisk together the flour, sugar, baking powder and salt in a large bowl. Make a well in the center; add the milk, egg, and 1 tablespoon maple syrup. Whisk the dry and wet ingredients together until smooth.

Transfer batter into a large size pastry bag with a # 3 or 4 open tip. Carefully squeeze batter in a circular pattern and then back and forth into the oil, to make a free form spider web-like design, about 3 to 4 inches in diameter. Cook until bottoms are golden, about 2 minutes. Using tongs or slotted spoon, turn fritters over and cook until golden on other side, about 1 minute more. Transfer the fritters to paper towels to drain briefly. Brush lightly with maple syrup and dust with confectioners' sugar. Repeat with remaining batter. Serve warm or at room temperature alone or with the garnishes.

Apple Cutout Sugar Cookies

Not only are these pretty cookies fun to serve, but they bake up delicate and flaky and taste wonderful. Even the dough is a treat to work with - so easy to roll out and cut.

Ingredients:
1-1/2 cups confectioners' sugar
1 cup butter, softened
1 egg
1-1/2 teaspoons vanilla extract
2-1/4 cups all-purpose flour
1 teaspoon baking soda
1 teaspoon cream of tartar

FROSTING:2 cups confectioners' sugar
1/4 cup light corn syrup
2 tablespoons water
Red and green food coloring

Directions:
In a large bowl, combine the first seven ingredients in order given and mix well. Chill dough 2-3 hours or until easy to handle.
Roll out on a lightly floured surface to 1/4-in. thickness. Cut with an apple-shaped cookie cutter dipped in flour. Place on greased baking sheets. Bake at 375° for 7-8 minutes or until lightly browned.
For frosting, combine sugar, corn syrup and water in a small bowl. Transfer three fourths of the frosting into another bowl; add red food coloring for apples. Add green food coloring to remaining frosting for stems. Frost cookies. Allow to sit overnight for frosting to harden. Yield: 4 dozen.